Following months of close cooperation between various divisions of our utility, two trucks carrying a range of technical relief goods could finally be sent to our partner utilities in Ukraine this week. This is already the second aid delivery this year being transported from Dresden 800 km eastwards.

The supplies

The water and wastewater utilities in Lviv, Ternopil and Nadvirna will be able to take delivery of various pumps, emergency power generators, steel products and tools in the next few days. Thanks to a donation from our co-partner in the project, Stadtentwässerungsbetriebe Köln, our Ukrainian colleagues will also be receiving good-as-new, warm protective work clothing.

The funding 

The entire procurement process was worth over 340,000 euros.  This was made possible by the provision of special funds from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), through our grant-funded project 'Utility Partnership Ukraine'.

The situation in Ukraine

Our colleagues in Ukraine are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain their services. Power cuts, internally displaced persons and the regular air raid warnings are hitting harder and harder. We are very happy to stand in solidarity with our colleagues, and pleased that we can make a small contribution towards helping them in these difficult times. Kristin Michalek-Götz keeps in touch with our colleagues, and we are always deeply affected by the worries and hardships our friends in Lviv, Ternopil and Nadvirna have to deal with.

With the help of many colleagues

Before the supplies could start their journey, we had to overcome numerous bureaucratic hurdles. There was a lot to do. Starting with internal consultations on what was needed, we then had to look for technically compatible equipment, consider the requirements of public procurement law and funding contracts to make sure we complied with the regulations, and finally select suitable suppliers. We began the preparations and coordination of the various actors involved back in the summer. The difficult delivery conditions, especially for these scarce goods, presented our colleagues with great challenges. They did all of this in addition to their actual day-to-day business. 

This is why we would like to say – also on behalf of our Ukrainian partners – a heartfelt thank you to all those who helped make this a success. In particular, we would like to highlight the efforts of our staff members who obtained countless offers, compared them, commissioned the providers and kept an eye on the figures. A big thank you also goes to our colleagues who loaded the trucks on Monday and Tuesday, despite the freezing cold.

Impressions

Photos: Stadtentwässerung Dresden GmbH