As millions of people are fleeing the war in Ukraine, the EU is stepping up its emergency assistance to support the people in need, both in Ukraine and beyond.

Through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, the EU is channeling various in-kind assistance offered by European countries to Ukraine. The assistance is being delivered directly to Ukraine but also through logistical hubs that have already been established in Poland and Romania in order to expedite the delivery of aid. 

Given the unprecedented number of people crossing the border, Poland also activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism on 28 February requesting medical items and medicines. On 8 March, Poland added shelter items to its request. The country is already receiving support from France, Denmark, Germany and Austria via the Mechanism through offers of shelter equipment and medical supplies. On 13 March, the EU also coordinated the first medical evacuation operation by transferring three chronically ill Ukrainian children from Poland to Italy.