MEPs debate the humanitarian situation in Ukraine due to Russia’s attacks against critical infrastructure as well as the 90th anniversary of the Holodomor mass killing. Opening statement by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

EU - Ukraine (T)

statement

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

troubles in Ukraine (T)

KYRIAKIDES, Stella (CY, EC)

solidarity with Ukraine (T)

The humanitarian situation in Ukraine due to Russia’s attacks against critical infrastructure and civilian areas: opening statement by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety

SOUNDBITE (English), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Dear President, honourable members. Russia is taking its unjustified war against Ukraine to a new level. As we meet, the Kremlin's forces are committing brutal war crimes across the country. They are bombarding Ukrainian infrastructure. Waves of attacks on the country's electricity grid are being launched every day. Rockets are striking the power stations repeatedly. Putin's war machine has one clear goal. To have Ukrainians freeze and suffer this winter.

SOUNDBITE (English), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety , All of this is having a tragic impact on the humanitarian situation across the country. According to the UN's latest estimates, nearly 80 million people are in dire need of humanitarian assistance in Ukraine. Millions of Ukrainians are struggling to access healthcare, food and basic social services. In every region of Ukraine their areas where people are living without heating, without electricity, without water. Some continuously.

SOUNDBITE (English), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety , For nearly ten months, the European Union has remained firmly committed to Ukraine and its people. I want to assure this House that this support is unwavering. We are with Ukraine for the long haul. As a humanitarian donor. The EU funding commitments are strong and significant. Over €485 million of humanitarian aid has already been allocated by the EU to Ukraine this year.

SOUNDBITE (English), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety , With this support, we're providing critical health protection and shelter assistance needed by the Ukrainian people. More than 13 million Ukrainians have benefited directly from EU humanitarian aid. This is thanks to the tireless efforts of many international humanitarian partners. The International Committee of the Red Cross, UNICEF and W.H.O, to name just a few. But more needs to be done for the people of Ukraine.

SOUNDBITE (English), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety , Across the country, temperatures are now dropping to below freezing. As the EU, we must stand ready to support Ukrainian authorities in providing light and heat to the residential buildings, to hospitals and to schools, to the people living there. This is why we are turning our attention to Ukraine's growing winter needs. Our humanitarian package now includes a targeted winter support worth €130 million.

SOUNDBITE (English), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety , With this aid, we are helping partners to distribute emergency shelter, lights and establish temporary protective reception centres across the country. In parallel, we are also mobilising more life saving supplies directly for the Ukrainian people. Through the EU civil protection mechanism, we have coordinated the delivery of almost 77,000 tonnes of assistance since February and this is a clear display of EU solidarity in action.

SOUNDBITE (English), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety , With the support of our Member States, we have already offered over 1000 generators to Ukraine. Last week we mobilised 40 large generators through our new EU stockpile. This would guarantee power for 30 hospitals in Ukraine. We will soon also have 120 medium to large generators in stock. And we will take further action to expand the generate capacity of rescue. Our union civil protection mechanism is also supporting the initiative of generators of hope of parliament's president Metsola and the EU cities.

SOUNDBITE (English), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety , Honourable Members, the European Union is determined to scale up its support in view of these unprecedented challenges. At the conference call by President Macron and Zelensky in Paris, last Tuesday. Commission President Von der Leyen has already announced further support in the field of energy.

SOUNDBITE (English), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety , In the face of these enormous challenges, the European Union, member states, G7 and other international partners have to work together to increase the impact of our aid. For this reason, the Emergency Response Coordination Centre in the European Commission will be stepping up its coordination activities in order to pool energy assistance from all EU member states and third countries in the newly established EU energy hub in Poland and channel it into Ukraine. I look forward to hearing your views throughout our debate. Thank you.