The Russian invasion of Ukraine destroyed schools, bombed hospitals, and damaged water supply systems making reconstruction an enormous task. Denmark now provides support through the first civil support package under the Ukraine Fund.
Today, Denmark has announced the Ukraine Fund’s Reconstruction Package I, a civil support package amounting to 615 million Danish kroner for Ukraine. The funds will be used to initiate the reconstruction of schools, hospitals, clinics, bomb shelters, water, heating, and energy supply, as well as support for the population in the war-torn areas, focusing on the region and the port city of Mykolaiv. The purpose of the package is to address the urgent needs of Ukrainians who have remained in the country during the war and to create the opportunity for the many displaced individuals to return home.
Since last year, Denmark has provided humanitarian assistance and reconstruction of energy, heating, and water supply systems in Mykolaiv, as well as repairs to housing and buildings. This work has been underway since Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen accepted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy‘s invitation to play a special role in the reconstruction of the region and the port city of Mykolaiv.
“Denmark is among Ukraine’s strongest partners, and unfortunately the need for reconstruction assistance is massive. Ukrainian children should be able to attend school, and necessary medical treatments should be available at hospitals despite the ongoing war,” stated Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy, Dan Jørgensen.
The package also includes funds to kick-start the Ukrainian economy. Through the Investment Fund for Developing Countries (IFU), the government has established a Ukraine facility for investments in key sectors such as agriculture, energy and IT. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) supports economic activity and job creation, including increased support for independent business ventures in Ukraine. The support package has been developed in close dialogue with the Ukrainian Minister for Reconstruction and the regional and local authorities of Mykolaiv.
Life-saving humanitarian and emergency aid for Ukraine
The package also includes a humanitarian track, providing support to the UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and Danish civil society organizations and their Ukrainian partners.
“It is important that we target humanitarian aid to areas where the population is most vulnerable and exposed to the hostilities. Millions of people are in need of emergency assistance, medicine and food. Mines also need to be cleared to ensure the delivery of supplies. I am particularly pleased that so many Danish civil society organizations are ready to assist with this important work,” stressed Minister Jørgensen.
Denmark is one of the countries that provide the most comprehensive support to Ukraine relative to its size. Earlier this year, Denmark launched the Ukraine Fund, which has three pillars: military support, civil support and private sector support. In 2023, 1.2 billion Danish kroner have been allocated for civil interventions in Ukraine and other Eastern neighboring countries.
