UPU: help ensure the Ukrainian Post can continue to serve those who depend on it
The Universal Postal Union (UPU), the United Nations specialized agency for international postal cooperation, has appealed to its 192 member countries for their solidarity in raising emergency funds to provide assistance to the Ukrainian Post (Ukrposhta).
“The Post is a lifeline delivering essential items, services, and humanitarian assistance to civilians everywhere, especially in times of crisis. I encourage UPU members to stand in solidarity with the global postal family by contributing to this special fund, which will help ensure the Ukrainian Post can continue to serve those who depend on it,” said UPU Director General Masahiko Metoki.
Although Ukrposhta has reported the deaths of several postal workers and the destruction of postal property and infrastructure since the start of the Russian Federation’s military actions within the sovereign territory of Ukraine, the Post has continued to deliver postal items, donated humanitarian goods, and social welfare payments to civilians, including to those who have been internally displaced.
Donations from member countries will be managed as part of the UPU’s Emergency and Solidarity Fund (ESF), a special account that allows the organization to provide emergency assistance to support postal activity in countries affected by disasters and armed conflicts. The Fund relies entirely on voluntary contributions from UPU’s member countries, restricted postal unions and other postal sector partners.
The funds collected by the UPU will support direct assistance to Ukrposhta, but, depending on needs, could also support humanitarian initiatives launched by Posts in neighbouring countries.
The Posts of neighbouring countries – including Latvia, Poland and Slovakia – have helped ensure the continuance of international postal exchanges with Ukraine by collecting postal items sent from abroad. Other UPU member countries are also assisting Ukraine through the free transit of humanitarian items, as well as the introduction of services in support refugees who have fled Ukraine.
For more information on the UPU Emergency and Solidarity Fund, visit: https://www.upu.int/UPU/media/upu/files/postalSolutions/capacityBuilding/emergencySolidarityFund/frequentlyAskedQuestionsEsfEn.pdf
For more information on how Posts are already supporting humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, visit: https://www.upu.int/en/Members-Centre/Postal-solidarity-in-action
