Serhii Morhunov: "Switzerland Handed Over the First Consignment of Food to Vinnytsia as Part of a Humanitarian Mission"

Vinnytsia has a long and successful cooperation with Switzerland. For 15 years we worked together on infrastructure projects: energy efficiency, cycling development, public transport system improvement and this year we planned to continue the Zurich tram project. However, the war made its adjustments to cooperation and changed its direction.

Two weeks ago, the head of Vinnytsia Serhii Morhunov met in the city with the Ambassador of Switzerland to Ukraine Claude Wild and the head of the group of Swiss humanitarian experts Beat Herger. They discussed the possibility of deploying a humanitarian mission in Vinnytsia. https://www.vmr.gov.ua/en/serhii-morhunov-switzerland-is-ready-to-launch-a-humanitarian-mission-in-vinnytsia

The process of implementing these plans has already been launched. Switzerland donated the first consignment of food to Vinnytsia as part of a humanitarian mission. In particular, oil, flour, corn grits, canned food and sugar - a total of more than 100 tons of food. This is the largest humanitarian mission from foreign friends.

Vinnytsia Mayor Serhii Morhunov noted during the meeting that Switzerland has been a reliable partner of Vinnytsia for many years.

"The city has received effective and important assistance from Switzerland. Vinnytsia has 15 years of successful cooperation with the Swiss Confederation. In peacetime, we dealt with heat supply and heat modernization, the supply of trams, and events related to obtaining the Energy Award. But the realities of life are different now, the war has radically changed the direction of our cooperation. And it was at the initiative of the Ambassador of Switzerland to Ukraine Mr. Claude Wilde, that such communication and desire to provide Vinnytsia with concrete assistance in the form of food arose. This is a food mission for migrants and people who need help in cities where active hostilities are taking place," said Serhii Morhunov.

The head of the city stressed that all the goods delivered to Vinnytsia were purchased from Ukrainian manufacturers. This is extremely important support for both the economy and food security in the city.

"It is important that food was purchased by the Government of the Swiss Confederation in Ukraine. This was their principled position to buy goods from Ukrainian manufacturers. Our partners ordered four of the six items in Vinnytsia and the region. This is a serious support for our economy. I will note that this assistance is comprehensive, when we not only brought food, but also helped financially to keep our businesses running smoothly. We are sincerely grateful to our partners for their help. We will be able to replenish the city's strategic reserves to help migrants in Vinnytsia and the region. We will also continue to hand over humanitarian aid to people who have to live under fire," said Mayor Serhii Morhunov.

The head of the group of Swiss humanitarian experts Beat Herger said during the meeting that they plan to transfer to Vinnytsia about 1,300 tons of provisions for one and a half million Swiss francs.

"Switzerland is a long-term partner of Vinnytsia and we have supported a number of projects in the city. Therefore, in times of this terrible war and crisis, we could not leave our partners in trouble. So we immediately responded to the needs of Vinnytsia. In less than two weeks, large deliveries of humanitarian aid were organized. The total budget we have set for food for the city of Vinnytsia is one and a half million Swiss francs. About 1,300 tons of food were purchased with these funds. Our humanitarian aid will continue in other areas. We would like to cooperate in the field of healthcare, water supply and sewerage, etc. So far we have no specific immediate plans. We study the situation and needs, and I am convinced that this help will also come, and not only for Vinnytsia, but also for other cities and regions of Ukraine. In any case, Switzerland will be close to Ukraine," said Beat Herger, head of the Swiss Humanitarian Expert Group.

The transfer of the humanitarian cargo was accompanied by the signing of the relevant Agreement. Vinnytsia City Council and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation have signed a document on the transfer of humanitarian aid.