Amid the Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, access to water and heating has become a rare commodity for many. Persistent damage to critical infrastructure, combined with harsh winter conditions and funding shortages, have left water utilities and district heating systems operating under constant strain, with hundreds of thousands left without basic services.
In this context, the European Commission has set up an operational system to channel additional in-kind donations from third countries and the private sector to support Ukrainians in need. Via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, the EU coordinates the overall donation process, from the expression of interest to the timely and safe delivery of donated items to local authorities. These donations become part the EU’s strategic reserves, rescEU, established as a safety net against major or overlapping disasters.
Priority needs in the water sector:
– Heating and energy: Mobile boilers, gas cogeneration units, and high-capacity generators.
– Water treatment: Treatment units, water bladders, and specialised chemicals.
– Infrastructure and logistics: Water pumps, district heating equipment, and specialised vehicles.
– Other items: Donors are welcome to identify other items that could be useful and do not appear in the above list.
Since continuous attacks on critical infrastructure have led to increasing demands in the water sector, the European Commission would like to encourage Water Europe members to explore donating spare material to Ukraine via this system- both used or new equipment could be very useful- by submitting an offer to ECHO-Donations@ec.europa.eu.
