Vienna is sending humanitarian aid to Ukraine

According to Mayor Michael Ludwig, sending humanitarian help was a proud and longstanding city tradition

According to a press release from today, the City of Vienna has sent trucks loaded with 15 tons of relief supplies for Ukraine. The city reacted quickly to the bubbling conflict and was able to send three trucks stocked with medical supplies. Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig explained that the current situation asks for solidarity.

He emphasised the close relationship between the Viennese administration and Ukraine and underlined that in times of crisis, Vienna is there to help people.

The trucks will make their way to Kyiv and Odesa. The supplies consist mainly of medical products like FFP2 masks and protective equipment for hospitals staff on site.

A longstanding humanitarian tradition

In an earlier statement, Mayor Ludwig commented on the conflict in Ukraine, explaining: “The images that reach us today from Ukraine shock us deeply. This is a sad and deeply depressing day. Our thoughts are first and foremost with the innocent civilians who are the main victims. Austria may be neutral under international law, but we are not neutral when it comes to our values. That's why Vienna is also ready to help people who are in need."

He continued by explaining that Vienna has a long humanitarian tradition starting from the Hungarian crisis in 1956, to Yugoslavia and the conflicts in the Middle East. He said that the Ukrainian conflict requires the solidarity of all federal states in Austria and that he does not doubt that they will continue to follow the best national traditions.

Before the crisis, Vienna has had a longstanding relationship with Ukraine. Caritas and Volkshilfe, both humanitarian charity organisations, have been lending a hand in education and healthcare, as well as with drinking water treatment in eastern Ukraine for years.

Mayor Ludwig explained that the city will expand these aid programmes in the future. Furthermore, Vienna has also already commissioned aid trains and will be ready to send additional seven trucks of aid.

The local response to the international conflict

Many cities and local administrations have declared their support for Ukraine, as the crisis began to unfold earlier today. Many cities raised Ukrainian national flags in a sign of solidarity while hundreds of communities across the continent have expressed their readiness to accept refugees, including those in neighbouring countries, such as Romania.

An interesting example is the Czech city of Brno, which ended its partnership with Russian cities and decided on an aid package, as well as on placing a hotline for the local Ukrainian minority.

Berlin Mayor Franziska Giffey, in her own right, decided to illuminate the Brandenburg Gate. She was quoted in a press release, saying: “Berlin stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine. By lighting up the Brandenburg Gate, we are sending a clear message, alongside other European cities, that we as a free city support a free and sovereign Ukraine.”

The Brandenburg Gate, Source: Franziska Giffey on Facebook