Ukraine Forum: BSR assists Ukraine but more help needed in demining, energy, psychological support
At the Ukraine Forum in Helsinki on 23 November 2023, experts and representatives from various sectors discussed urgent needs in Ukraine, such as demining, energy, and psychological support, emphasising the country's ongoing challenges and the critical need for increased international aid.
“How is it going?” – That is the most common question Ukrainians have heard over now almost the last 700 days.
“That is how we feel – like the boy on the photo, surrounded by danger and destruction yet hopeful, trying to get on with our lives,’ shared Vlada Tereshchenko, a trainer at Vovchok Folk High School in Ukraine, while attending the Ukraine Forum that was held in Helsinki on 23 November 2023.
Held at Laurea University of Applied Sciences in Finland and organised by the Finnish Ministry of the Interior under the Finnish Presidency of the CBSS, the forum saw participation from approximately 100 representatives across various sectors – state authorities, NGOs, international organizations, and academia – from the Baltic Sea Region countries and Ukraine.
The forum’s objective was to discuss effective ways to support Ukraine and to exchange lessons learned.
Mr. Yevhen Pliaskin, from the Ukrainian Embassy in Helsinki, underscored in his keynote address that Ukraine ranks among the most heavily mined countries globally. “Demining is an enormous challenge and a priority for Ukraine. The help of other countries is very much needed to address this challenge,” he emphasised.
The forum also highlighted other pressing needs such as reconstruction, energy equipment, medical supplies, essential items like warm winter clothing, and psychological rehabilitation programmes.
Mr. Ionut Homeag from the EU Commission’s DG ECHO shared key insights from the EU’s aid to Ukraine via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. He stressed the importance of a cross-sectoral approach, involving the private sector, and the challenges of deploying experts to Ukraine.
Representatives from various Ukrainian authorities and civil society organizations, including the State Emergency Service, State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate, Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Centre, and the Ukrainian Red Cross, presented their ongoing work and current challenges.
The CBSS notably facilitated the participation of a delegation of educators from the Ukrainian NGO Folk High School Vovchok. They are partners in the Civil Protection Faculty project, which was also launched in Helsinki on the following day.
In Helsinki, the Ukrainian partners expressed their gratitude to Finland and other supporting nations for their unwavering support.
Photo credit: Oleh Tereshchenko