Address by Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna

Dear citizens, dear compatriots!

We praise you, your courage and resilience.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine defend our territorial integrity, independence, and repel the enemy with dignity; which is admired all over the world and the whole world stands behind us.

We understand that one of the most striking needs in the country during the armed

aggression, of course, is to meet the humanitarian needs of citizens in food, in medicines, in access to medicine.

Therefore, on February 25 Government established a headquarters for the coordination of humanitarian aid and its distribution and direction to all regions of Ukraine, including those that currently suffer the most from Russia's military aggression on the territory of Ukraine.

Together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economy and, above all, the Ministry of Social Policy, we ensure the activities of this headquarters and the coordination of assistance. We are working to mobilize the necessary assistance and set up a system to provide you with everything you need.

We already have received assistance from more than 18 countries, from all over the world.

Also, the special account opened by the National Bank which is functioning to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. And a special account of the National Bank of Ukraine for humanitarian support of citizens of Ukraine.

We accumulate aid and distribute it in the following areas: medicines and dressings, blood products, technical rehabilitation tools, personal hygiene products, (especially now) food, and other necessary essentials.

You can contact the Government through the corresponding hotline, which works to collect your requests and needs for humanitarian assistance. The number of this hotline 1545.

Contact us, we will help you.

I especially want to address the representatives of those regions, cities and towns of Ukraine, which today came under the control of the occupier and the aggressor. We will release you. But before that, we are convinced that Russia must oblige its military to provide green corridors for food, medical care and assistance to all citizens in need.

The Government has called on the Red Cross and the United Nations to begin negotiations with the Russian Federation to establish such humanitarian corridors.

This is an overriding priority today.

We exert every effort today and I am sure that such assistance will come from our partners, that the corridors will be created in the near future.

For all burning questions, please contact the 1545 hotline.