The European Commission is calling on public and private entities in the EU and beyond to join forces and show solidarity by donating buses essential to bringing Ukrainian children safely back to their schools in the coming months.
Education is a cornerstone of our future. Safe access to school is paramount as it gives children a sense of normalcy and is essential to their well-being and future. An estimated 5,7 million school-aged children in Ukraine have been affected by the war and thousands of schools and facilities have been damaged.
The European Commission is calling on public and private entities in the EU and beyond to join forces and show solidarity by donating buses essential to bringing Ukrainian children safely back to their schools in the coming months. School buses are critical in providing access to education for Ukrainian children.
Potential donors can do that through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), which has already been instrumental in channeling vital support to Ukraine and its people, including shelter, food, hospital equipment, ambulances, fire trucks and much more .
The bus must meet a number of requirements, it must be complete and immediately ready for use with a properly functioning engine. It must not be damaged, poorly maintained, abandoned or in need of refurbishment. The bus may be new or second-hand, but must be technically inspected and deemed safe and functional for use. The vehicle must be suitable for driving on the right side of the road, i.e. left-hand drive.
“Ukrainian children need school buses. Europe is now donating 14 million euros for this. And we need more. That is why the European Commission is organizing a solidarity campaign to donate school buses for Ukraine in early 2023. Together we can help Ukrainian children - the future of Ukraine.”
Donating buses to Ukraine through the UCPM is a very smart decision. The Union Mechanism facilitates donations and ensures that they are made in an efficient, coordinated and reliable manner. The donations are accepted by the appropriate government agency, which provides the relevant information to the recipients. In this way, the Ukrainian authorities guarantee that a donation really ends up in the right place.
The buses are needed to provide safe transportation to and from school across the country and to organize rapid evacuations in case of emergency. The target group includes both primary and secondary schools. Public authorities and private companies based in the EU can find the necessary information to donate buses on the European Union website. About 240 buses are already on their way from the European Union and its member states, according to the Europese Commissie.
Photo top and middle: European Commission Image Bank.
