• Українською
  • Olha Stefanishyna and Hadja Lahbib coordinate efforts to strengthen humanitarian and crisis response in Ukraine
    Service of the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, posted 13 January 2025 20:48

    On 13 January, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and Minister of Justice of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna met in Kyiv with the EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib.

    During the meeting, the parties discussed key issues related to improving the coordination of humanitarian aid, strengthening Ukraine’s resilience to the challenges of war and further cooperation in the context of European integration.

    Olha Stefanishyna thanked the European Commissioner for her first visit to Kyiv in her new position and stressed the importance of the European Union’s support to protect the Ukrainian people in times of war, in particular through strengthening humanitarian programmes and civil protection instruments.

    “We are grateful to our European partners for their solidarity and practical assistance, which allows Ukraine to respond promptly to the challenges of war and meet the key needs of our citizens. Cooperation in the field of humanitarian response is an important element of our resilience, as well as of Ukraine’s European path,” the Deputy Prime Minister stressed.

    Hadja Lahbib, for her part, assured of the European Union’s readiness to continue supporting Ukraine, in particular through enhanced humanitarian assistance and crisis response programmes.

    According to the Commissioner, Ukraine and the Ukrainian people demonstrate remarkable resilience, ability to adapt and be flexible. She mentioned that the first mission was dedicated to Ukraine to understand how the relationship could develop in the long term and ensure that humanitarian projects were as effective as possible. She also said that the European Union would stay with Ukraine for as long as necessary to support its people and help rebuild the country.

    The Commissioner stressed that her mandate included crisis management. The EU’s civil protection mechanism, of which Ukraine is a member, is part of this process, including the medical evacuation of war-affected citizens. In the context of humanitarian aid, Hadja Lahbib informed that the European Commission had allocated EUR 140 million to Ukraine for humanitarian projects, including emergency aid. This includes food, shelter, clean water, medical care and winter protection.

    Olha Stefanishyna thanked the European Commission for its support and expressed hope that with this assistance, Ukrainian institutions would be able to adequately cover the key urgent needs of citizens.

    The parties discussed, in particular, long-term plans for the restoration of Ukraine, including the rebuilding of infrastructure and support for vulnerable groups (women, children, and the elderly). Particular attention was paid to the protection of women’s rights and combating sexual violence in the context of war. Olha Stefanishyna emphasised the importance of providing victims with free legal aid and rehabilitation services, as well as specialised support at the Survivor Assistance Centres.

    “We have included victims of sexual violence in the category of Ukrainians entitled to free legal aid. Sexual violence is a war crime and a tool of russia’s war, and all victims need full state support,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

    The European Commissioner noted Ukraine’s achievements in the context of gender equality and the fight against violence, in particular on the path to European integration.

    Olha Stefanishyna also focused on the importance of maintaining the functioning of Ukrainian institutions even under the difficult conditions of war, which is a key element of further integration with the EU. She also informed about the situation with the recent large-scale cyberattack on the registers of the Ministry of Justice and the measures taken by Ukraine as part of its crisis response.

    The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination of efforts to respond more effectively to humanitarian challenges, in particular in the areas of human rights protection, support for war-affected people and the reconstruction of the country.