News item | 01-02-2024 | 12:00
In recent months, the Netherlands has shipped 45 million kilos of road salt to Ukraine to support them in keeping roads passable during the winter months. In recent months, a total of 5 ships carrying road salt have sailed to Ukraine.
Minister Harbers: “In Ukraine it often freezes these months and roads are covered in snow, making it even more difficult for people to get from A to B. The Netherlands believes it is important to support Ukraine where possible. Road salt may not be the first thing you think of, but it is very important to keep roads passable. It is good that we are helping Ukraine with extra road salt.”
Request to European Commission
On October 19, 2022, the European Commission requested all EU member states to investigate whether they could donate road salt to Ukraine. Road salt is important to keep the roads always available in the winter, especially in a country at war. The supply of road salt in Ukraine was no longer sufficient due to the war. After various discussions with involved partners, the Netherlands has agreed to donate 45 million kilos of road salt to Ukraine.
Transportation
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has made approximately € 2.5 million available to donate road salt to Ukraine. This donation was made in close collaboration with Rijkswaterstaat. Along with it Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) of the European Commission, the Netherlands shared the transport costs to get the road salt to Ukraine. A total of 5 ships have sailed to Ukraine in recent months to deliver the road salt.