Riga City Council will donate 10 public transport buses of the municipal company "Rīgas satiksme" to the city of Chernihiv. In order to ensure that the buses are not empty on the road, Riga City Council together with the charity foundation Ziedot.lv invite the residents of Riga to fill the buses with donations for the residents of Chernihiv.
“Chairman of the Riga City Council Vilnis Ķirsis: "We support Ukraine and will continue to do so for as long as it takes - until victory. Another donation of buses from “Rīgas Satiksme” is proof of this in action. We continue to support Ukraine and its civilians at the city, national and individual levels, so I encourage everyone to do what they can to ensure that the shipment meets the needs that the Ukrainians themselves have identified. This humanitarian aid collection is taking place in the week when we celebrate our Latvian freedom, and it is symbolic in a way - Ukrainians will not stop fighting for their country, we will not stop helping them, including with very practical things for everyday life under wartime conditions.”
Deputy Chairman of the Riga City Council Edvards Ratnieks: "From the very first day of the war, the Municipality of Riga has been a loyal and active supporter of the Ukrainian people, both morally and in terms of aid. Transport for passengers in wartime conditions is a very valuable donation to Ukraine to ensure movement and mobility options in the city. It is our initiative and our duty to help Ukraine, because in this way we will be able to strengthen Ukraine's ability to resist the war being waged by Russia. That is why I will be grateful to everyone in Riga and in Latvia for donating to Ukraine and volunteering to sort the donations, which we will take to Ukraine together with the buses at the end of November.”
From 11 November to 14 November, Riga residents are invited to take part in the donation campaign “Riga for Ukraine” (Rīga-Ukrainai) by donating food, household and hygiene items, as well as pet food. This time, we are especially asking for goods for children and for ensuring educational process in the bomb shelters in the basements.
Necessary donations:
- Food products - instant soups, tea, coffee, powdered milk, canned food, biscuits
- Goods for children - porridge, formula milk, nappies, sheets
- Hygiene items - hand soap, wet wipes, toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrushes
- Items for kindergarten bomb shelters - projectors and laptops in working order, folding chairs, 3-litre and 5-litre pots.
- Medical supplies - plasters, dressings, gauze, medical gloves, antibacterial wound cleansers)
- Vitamins - Vitamin C, Vitamin D
- Other items needed - portable batteries (power banks), heaters, sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, plaids, disposable tableware.
Donations can be delivered to the bus:
- 11 November, 12.00 - 18.00 at s/c "AKROPOLE Alfa",
- 12 November, 12.00 - 18.00 at s/c "Spice",
- 14 November, 12.00 - 18.00, at Kalķu street 1.
On 14 November, a specially adapted dental van will be on display at Kalķu street 1, which will travel together with buses to Ukraine to provide dental services to Ukrainian defenders.
Donations can also be made at the Riga Neighbourhood Population Centre points at Smiļģa street 46, Gobas street 6a, Ieriķu street 43a, Daugavpils street 31 and Ziemeļblāzmas street 36.
- 13 November, 13.00 - 17.00,
- 14 November, 9.00 - 13.00,
- 15 November, 13.00 - 17.00.
In addition to donations, the residents of Riga are also invited to come and help accept and place donations on buses on 11, 12 and 14 November. To apply to be a volunteer helper, fill in the application form here. More information about volunteering is available from Rūta Rutka, Project Coordinator of the Riga Support Centre for Ukrainians, by calling +37128350199 or sending an e-mail to ruta.rutka@riga.lv.
The buses with the donations will leave for Chernihiv at the end of November.
Riga has already donated 21 public transport buses to Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. In two previous donation campaigns, residents of Riga filled these buses with 100 tonnes of humanitarian aid.
Information prepared by: Edīte Matuseviča, Project Coordinator at External Communication Division of Riga City Council Communication Department, email: edite.matusevica@riga.lv