The “UK Rail for Ukraine” is a recent initiative that has been launched by British volunteers. In collaboration with the UK rail industry, it is sending hundreds of thousands of items of aid to Ukraine.

A first aid train has left the UK this week on a special DB Cargo service bound. The train is awaited by numerous volunteers from different NGO’s organisations working on the ground.

https://twitter.com/AnnaClunes/status/1513795029743120389?s=20&t=W8k0fWTn6JcWgZjUiF4Sxg

The transport consists of 24 shipping containers over a half-kilometre long train labelled in English, Polish and Ukrainian. It includes 1,500 tonnes of basic living equipment, medical and hygiene products, non-perishable food and other important items which have been donated. 

“I am expressing my gratitude to the UK Railway industry and everyone who contributed to the UK Rail for Ukraine initiative. We greatly appreciate your support during such challenging times […] Despite the complexity of the logistic routes, the industry managed to organise a delivery directly to the places of greatest need in Ukraine” – Ukraine’s Ambassador to the UK told the organisers. 

“In addition to the humanitarian aid gathered by volunteers from different businesses and organisations, UK Railway facilitated the delivery of 21 powerful industrial generators purchased by the Ukrainian Embassy which are imperative for Ukraine’s energy sector” – he added. 

Image: Twitter @AnnaClunes

Author: Sébastien Meuwissen