EUROPE: Cross-industry voluntary initiative UK Rail for Ukraine has sent more than 1 500 tonnes of donated aid including non-perishable food, hygiene and medical products to Ukraine by rail.
The train departed from DB Cargo UK’s site at Barking in London on the morning of April 7 carrying 24 containers of aid. The route ran through the Channel Tunnel to France, Belgium and then to Germany, which the containers had reached by April 11. The containers are scheduled to arrive in Ukraine via Poland on April 13.
DB Cargo is responsible for end-to-end operations, dovetailing the service into the ‘rail bridge’ which DB Cargo has established to Ukraine.
Local advice and information was provided by the Ukrainian Logistics Alliance and Department for International Trade in Warszawa.
The British rail industry has also facilitated the delivery of 21 industrial generators purchased by the Ukrainian embassy.
‘Across Europe, DB Cargo is already leading the way in delivering humanitarian aid by rail to Ukraine, having recently developed the first rail bridge to the war-torn region’, said DB Cargo UK CEO Andrea Rossi. ‘Here in the UK, we are pleased to be able to support the ongoing aid effort to deliver essential supplies to ease the suffering of the Ukrainian people impacted and displaced by the atrocities that are unfolding.’
Network Rail Chair Sir Peter Hendy said ‘we have all seen the vital role the railway has played in Ukraine, delivering people to safety and vital supplies to the front line. Britain’s railway is now playing its small part in supporting the inspirational people of Ukraine.’
Further UK Rail for Ukraine trains are not currently scheduled, but organisations with large quantities of high value physical items to donate are asked to contact DB Cargo UK.
Businesses wishing to offer work to Ukrainians are encouraged to contact the International Chamber of Commerce which is co-ordinating efforts through the Centre for Entrepreneurship for Ukraine.
UK Rail for Ukraine
The project team includes Network Rail, Symposium Consulting, Deutsche Bahn, LNER, Avanti, MTR Elizabeth Line and The Veterans Charity.
Support or donations has also been provided by staff from:
- Acland Plant Hire
- Avanti West Coast
- Bettys
- Brakes Group
- Brunswick International
- Business In The Community
- Campeys
- D McIntyre & Sons
- Deutsche Bahn
- DB Cargo UK
- Evo Group
- Fieldfisher
- Furrer+Frey
- Global Hand
- Govia Thameslink Railway
- Harrogate Water
- HS1 Ltd
- LNER
- Malcolm Group
- Maritime Transport
- Matrix
- Merseyrail
- MTR Elizabeth Line
- National Infrastructure Suppliers
- National Fire Chiefs Council and various local fire services
- Network Rail
- Nextmove Removals
- Paragon
- Porterbrook
- Railway Connected Leaders group
- Railway Industry Association
- Rail Safety and Standards Board
- Richard Tauwhare Consulting Ltd
- Samworth Brothers
- Symposium Consulting
- The Chief of Staff Association
- The Veterans Charity
- Ukrainian Embassy to the United Kingdom
and many others.
