Rebuilding Ukraine: Lithuania steps up to help reconstruct Ukrainian schools and kindergartens
While in Kyiv, the Lithuanian Minister of Finance, Gintare Skaiste, declared that Lithuania would provide 5 million euros to aid in rebuilding and adapting destroyed schools and childcare facilities in Ukraine and setting up shelters within them.
The Lithuanian publication LRT reported this.
What is the problem?
As of February 2023, kindergartens, schools, and other educational institutions experienced $8.9 billion in damages, accounting for 6.2% of the total infrastructure damage.
According to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the Russians destroyed or damaged 1,702 schools and 1,069 kindergartens since the start of the full-scale invasion.
261 schools and 127 kindergartens in Ukraine were utterly destroyed as a result of Russian shelling and cannot be restored.
In total, 10% of Ukraine's educational infrastructure was damaged by Russian shelling.
What is the solution?
Therefore, Lithuania will allocate 5 million euros to support the reconstruction and adaptation of destroyed Ukrainian schools and kindergartens and install shelters there.
How does it work?
Gintare Skaistė met with Serhiy Marchenko, the Minister of Finance of Ukraine, and the head of the National Bank, Andriy Pyshny.
The meeting was dedicated to discussing the restoration of Ukraine and Lithuania's investments in this process.
During the visit, Ms. Skaistė also visited a kindergarten in Irpin, rebuilt with Lithuanian funds and equipped with a shelter that meets all safety requirements.
According to the Lithuanian minister, the European Union should provide military and financial support to the country fighting Russian brutality.
"As aid from the US is delayed, the quick allocation of EU funds becomes vital – the first €4.5 billion should arrive in Ukraine already in March," Gintare Skaistė said.
For reference:
In January, during the visit of President Volodymyr Zelensky, Lithuania approved a package of long-term military aid to Ukraine worth 200 million euros. It would send ammunition, generators, and detonation systems in January, and in February – M577 armored personnel carriers.
In particular, Ukraine and Lithuania agreed on the joint production of drones and electronic warfare (EW). A joint-stock company, "Ukrainian Defense Industry," started a strategic partnership with four Lithuanian companies.
In addition, Lithuania announced Ukraine's readiness to partially transfer the production of drones to their country's territory. This step is mutually beneficial cooperation and preparation for the Western neighbors' possible military threats.
Also, at the beginning of February, Lithuania delivered another batch of weapons to Ukraine as part of military aid. In particular, it included shells for Carl Gustaf anti-tank grenade launchers.
In addition, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Sports of Lithuania proposed to extend the period for a year, during which Ukrainian refugees who have found work here will not need to speak Lithuanian.
It is worth noting that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Lithuania's financial assistance to Ukraine amounted to more than 1 billion euros.
