EUAM Ukraine launches major Dutch-funded project to support stabilisation of Ukraine’s liberated territories
July 12, 2024
The EU Advisory Mission (EUAM) Ukraine is proud to announce the official kick-off of the project “Support to Civilian Security Sector Agencies to Stabilize and Restore Government Safety, Security and Social Cohesion in Liberated and Adjacent Territories in Ukraine”, generously funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This project, with a substantial contribution of €8 million from the Netherlands, represents the largest external financial support initiative by EUAM to date.
The main objective of the project is to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Ukrainian civilian security sector to stabilise liberated territories and ensure their full reintegration into Ukrainian society. Beneficiaries of the project include the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Police of Ukraine, the National Guard of Ukraine, the State Migration Service, the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Security Service of Ukraine.
Last week, the official launch of the project took place at the EUAM Ukraine’s Headquarters in Kyiv. The event gathered representatives of the key stakeholders. Addressing the audience, Rolf Holmboe, Head of EUAM Ukraine, emphasised the critical nature of this project:
“It is designed to assist Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) in dealing with a wide range of challenges in the liberated areas. These include ensuring the safety of the civilian population from mines and explosives, dealing with societal grievances and conflicts, and they have to do this while their infrastructure and equipment will have been destroyed or looted by the Russians.”
This message was immediately echoed by Jennes de Mol, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ukraine, who characterised the project as “essential gear — for essential work.” He also recalled his visit to Kherson a few days after the city was liberated. It allowed the Dutch Ambassador to witness the horrific damages done by the Russian forces and what challenges Ukrainian law enforcers faced. “A lot more needs to be done to restore justice for Ukraine. Financial and material support to these agencies feels like the least we can do. I want to thank the EUAM for all the hard work in getting this project off the ground”, added Mr Jennes de Mol.
The project will provide essential equipment, including 185 soft-skin vehicles, communications equipment, IT hardware and software, mobile police stations, and specialised tools for operating in hazardous environments. This equipment will significantly enhance the capabilities of LEAs to perform their duties under highly dangerous conditions, such as evacuating civilians from the frontlines and guarding critical infrastructure.
Deputy Minister Kateryna Pavlichenko, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine expressed her gratitude for providing this substantial and highly relevant support:
“We highly appreciate your support for the civilian security sector, in particular the agencies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, which perform key functions in maintaining security stability in the country, while also directly participating in repelling the enemy on the front line.”
The EUAM’s Head of Mission expressed immense gratitude to the Netherlands for their unwavering support and highlighted the importance of this project in fostering justice and accountability for war crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine. He reiterated EUAM’s commitment to continue close cooperation with Ukrainian law enforcement partners in achieving a stable and secure environment in the liberated areas.
