Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation

10/04/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/04/2024 07:24

Switzerland delivers 30 rubble-clearing machines and 30 fire pumps to Ukraine

Switzerland is organising a new shipment of equipment for Ukraine. This includes machines to clear rubble and debris, as well as firefighting equipment, which will be handed over to Ukraine's civil protection agency.The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) of the FDFA will finance and coordinate the transport. The Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) has donated the equipment, valued at CHF 5.6 million.

The scale of destruction in Ukraine continues to rise as the war escalates. Homes, schools, hospitals, roads and other civilian infrastructure are being bombed in violation of international law. Many buildings have collapsed entirely, leaving debris that obstructs roads and hampers access for emergency vehicles.

In response to this situation, Switzerland will deliver 30 rubble-clearing machines and 30 water pumps for firefighting. The DDPS has donated this equipment, valued at CHF 5.6 million.

The SDC is responsible for organising and financing the transport of the equipment, which will be handed over to the civil protection agency of Ukraine's Ministry of the Interior. To minimise the environmental impact, the delivery will be carried out by rail. A train chartered by the SDC will depart from Switzerland in the coming days and will take several days to reach Ukraine. Switzerland previously delivered similar equipment in October 2022. Since the start of the war, the SDC, in collaboration with the DDPS, has transported nearly 1,200 tonnes of relief supplies to Ukraine. These efforts are part of Switzerland's wider commitment to Ukraine, which has amounted to CHF 477 million since February 2022.

Address for enquiries:

FDFA Communication
Federal Palace West Wing
CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55
E-mail: [email protected]
Twitter: @SwissMFA

Publisher:

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports