GENERATORS OF HOPE

Following consecutive missile and drone attacks by Russia on critical civilian infrastructure of Ukraine in recent weeks, in violation of international humanitarian law, more than 30% of Ukraine’s power stations have been damaged or destroyed, leaving 10 million Ukrainians without electricity.

With the winter fast approaching, and temperatures already plummeting to below zero in many parts of the country, the lack of electricity means heating is also of paramount concern, and, with water supplies also attacked, Kyiv has already given the order to evacuate certain parts of the country.

On 19 August we signed a memorandum of understanding in Kyiv to support the sustainable reconstruction of Ukraine, and this time is no different. We will coordinate among the over 200 major cities that make up Eurocities, alongside our partner organisations, and with President Metsola, we will do all we can to offer direct relief to the people of Ukraine.

via an online link, said “We are proud that Europeans and their institutions, such as the European Parliament and Eurocities, are today standing by Ukraine in responding to Russia`s terrorist tactics against civilian Ukrainians.”

Nardella added, “at our annual Eurocities Cooperation Platform, to be held in Vienna next week, we will take the opportunity to present in detail the initiative to the over 80 cities participating. As Mayors, my colleagues and I know the importance of local services. By launching this direct call to action for cities to get together and help Ukraine by donating generators and transformers, we can help ensure that Ukraine’s cities will be able to manage their day-to-day lives in the best way possible. We must act immediately. Winter is upon us, there is no electricity and gas, and there is no time to waste.”

Speaking after the joint press conference in Strasbourg, Dario Nardella, President of Eurocities and Mayor of Florence, commented: “Since the beginning of this illegal war, Eurocities has rallied to support their Ukrainian counterparts in every way possible.

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, said “I call on all cities towns and regions across Europe to join the Generators of Hope campaign. Together we can make a real difference.”

In particular, the Ukrainian government has signalled the need for high-voltage electrical equipment, especially transformers, and large-capacity generators, to be the top priority to allow Ukraine to restore its damaged energy system.

Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, who spoke

In practical terms, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism will be used to connect cities via national authorities and provide the logistical means to transport the generators from cities to one of three EU hubs for Ukraine.

Turku, Leipzig and Florence are among the first cities to commit generators to Ukrainian cities as part of Eurocities campaign generators of hope, which we are running with the European Parliament. In August, Turku and Kharkiv, both members of Eurocities, signed a twin city agreement, aiming for assistance activities and for mutually beneficial longterm cooperation in urban development. Last week, Turku organised a collection for electricity and heating equipment – asking companies and residents to donate what they can to help the people of Kharkiv.

86 power generators, 157 heaters and 19 water pumps have already been collected as a result of the good will of local residents.

Meanwhile, Constanta has sent 30 power generators to Odesa; Riga has sent 15 more, and 100 heaters to Kyiv; and Freiburg has sent five generators to Lviv.

Tallinn has completed the public procurement necessary – and gathered support through the Estonian Association of Cities and Municipalities – to buy new generators for cities in the Zhytomyr Region of Ukraine.

From Leipzig, over 100 smaller power generators have already been sent to Kyiv, for use in clinical facilities and so-called civil heat centres, including one large generator. And, the two initiators of the generators of hope campaign, Dario Nardella, Mayor of Florence and Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, have also donated their first generators to Ukraine.

Everywhere, the good will is apparent. The city of Bruges is in direct contact with the city of Kopychintsi to assess what goods are most needed, and what it can provide.

Many cities in Poland, such as Bydgoszcz, have also sent power generators, as well as vehicles and medical equipment. And, even smaller municipalities, such as Ventspils, have organised to send generators.

The city of Munich, which supports the generators of hope campaign, but has not yet sent generators, has received over €3 million in transfers from residents in the last nine months to help Ukraine, and has provided a further €1.5 million from the city’s own funds, and is working actively with the local community to find more ways to help.

Cities at the heart of the campaign

Have you heard about the “generators of hope” campaign? With 30% of Ukraine’s power stations having been damaged or destroyed, leaving an estimated 10 million Ukrainians without electricity as winter begins to bite, the country’s authorities have shared a request to send highvoltage electricity equipment, especially transformers and similar energy hardware, and power generators.

The requests are based on needs, identified at the local and regional level, to give Ukrainians the best chance of making it through the winter and beyond.

In practical terms, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism is being used to connect cities via national authorities and provide the logistical means to transport the generators from cities to one of three EU hubs for Ukraine. All city administrations are invited to contact their national authority to organise this.

Wider reconstruction efforts

Sending generators can help bring relief to millions of Ukrainians this winter, and all cities are encouraged to get involved. More widely, Eurocities, as well as other organisations, is already engaging in the longer-term sustainable rebuilding of Ukraine.

Following the mayors mission to Ukraine in August, Eurocities has already launched a city-to-city pilot programme to experiment with how cities can be matched to bring together the knowledge and expertise needed for a climate-resilient and inclusive reconstruction, and, crucially, ensure that Ukrainian local authorities are key actors in shaping and implementing any long-term reconstruction vision.

More than 5,000 Turkish Red Crescent (Kizilay) and Syrian Arab Red Crescent staff and volunteers are working around the clock in unimaginably difficult conditions to help people who have lost everything.

Your donation will be used to reach people in urgent need in the aftermath of the earthquakes. It will provide support and aid that includes:

• Distributing essentials like food water and blankets

• Setting up temporary shelters to support thousands of survivors who are facing freezing conditions

• Providing first aid and crisis support

• Assisting with the rescue efforts and getting people vital medical aid

• Providing psychosocial support to those who have been traumatised.

The best way you can help those affected by the earthquakes is to donate to the DEC Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal using the link below...

HTTP://BIT.LY/3SOWHAM