Bocholt continues its support for Verkhniodniprovsk

The city of Bocholt is continuing its support for the Ukrainian solidarity partner city of Verkhniodniprovsk with further deliveries of goods and aid shipments. In April, extensive school furniture and digital technology reached the local educational institutions in order to improve the care of internally displaced persons, among other things. At the same time, volunteers prepared another delivery of medical and care supplies last weekend.

Tables, chairs, teacher furniture, four smartboards, 104 tablets and refurbed notebooks from the city of Bocholt arrived in the Ukrainian solidarity partner city of Verkhniodniprovsk back in April. The donations in kind were installed in schools and educational institutions there. Among other things, they will be used to cope with the higher number of pupils due to internally displaced persons. The city of Bocholt received the school furniture and digital equipment to pass on from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ). The goods came from the project "Improving civil protection and reconstruction in municipal partnerships with Ukraine", which supports municipal partnerships between German and Ukrainian cities and communities in civil protection and reconstruction. The delivery was supplemented by depreciated notebooks, which were provided by the city of Bocholt through a funding project of the Service Agency Communities in One World.

"We are delighted that Bocholt was able to take part in this important project", says Petra Taubach, European Commissioner. "The delivery is a concrete example of how municipal solidarity works: Functional furniture and modern technology will create better learning conditions and a sign of solidarity in Verkhniodniprovsk. Our thanks go to GIZ, the Service Agency Communities in One World and everyone who supported the organisation and transport."

Verkhniodniprovsk's mayor Gennadii Lebid also thanks the city of Bocholt for its support: "This help goes directly to our children, young people and teachers. The furniture and digital devices are not only practical support for us, but also a strong sign that we are not alone in these difficult times."

In addition to strengthening the education sector, humanitarian aid for the population in Ukraine is continuing. Last Sunday, the city administration and the volunteer agency coordinated the loading of another aid transport together with the Helfende Hände St. Josef Bocholt e.V. association. Household goods, furniture, desks and numerous medical and nursing aids were loaded safely for transport. The association "Helfende Hände St. Josef Bocholt e.V." has been accepting donations in kind from private individuals and companies from Bocholt and the surrounding area since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression and organises their distribution to people who urgently need support. Before the relief supplies are sent on their 2,500 kilometre journey to Ukraine, they are carefully checked, sorted and packed. In Verkhniodniprovsk, the donations in kind are needed for internally displaced persons, hospitals and care homes, among other things. Medical and care aids such as rollators, walking aids, wheelchairs, care beds, bandages and other equipment for local care are particularly in demand.

Leo Engenhorst, Chairman of the "Helfende Hände St. Josef Bocholt e.V." association, thanked everyone involved for their continued support: "Without the many people who donate, sort, carry, pack and organise, this help would not be possible. Every donation in good condition and every helping hand contributes to making the lives of the people in Verkhniodniprovsk a little easier." Donations can be handed in every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the furniture warehouse at Werkstraße 19 in Bocholt.