The EU is investing €14 million in the purchase of school buses that will be donated to Ukraine in early 2023, announced the European Commission on Sunday 20 November.
“Russia’s bombs have damaged or destroyed over 2,800 schools all across Ukraine. Schools that remain accessible welcome children who come from far away. But for many children, this means a long and sometimes dangerous commute”, said the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in a video message, while unveiling the amount she said was “not enough” to cover the needs.
This is why there is also a ‘solidarity campaign’ for Ukraine that was launched on the same day to encourage more donations for the cause across the EU.
According to the European Commission’s deputy chief spokesperson, Dana Spinant, who spoke to the press on Monday, the aim of the campaign is “to promote and encourage the provision of additional school buses. Companies, governments and regional authorities are invited to contribute”.
Transport costs will be financed by the European Commission.
“We are also working to provide and collect materials for Ukrainian schools”, she added. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)