In Vilnius, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Lithuanian volunteers Jonas Ohman and Edmundas Jakilaitis, as well as Lithuania’s Minister of Health Marija Jakubauskienė.
“We are deeply grateful to you for helping our people from the very beginning of the war. Thank you for everything you have been doing since 2014. But what’s most important is that since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainians have not felt alone. We are proud to have such strong friends and such support,” the Head of State said.
Edmundas Jakilaitis noted that his NGO Strong Together was among those that helped Ukrainians who were forced to leave their homes find temporary accommodation. Thanks to this effort, 50,000 people were provided with housing. The organization also annually organizes summer camps in Lithuania for the children of Ukrainian defenders and for orphans whose parents were killed as a result of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.
Jonas Ohman said that the work of his NGO Blue/Yellow is focused on military support for Ukraine. Over the years, they have raised €100 million in assistance. The volunteers have now shifted their focus to energy support, and Ukraine will soon receive the first shipment of 200 generators.
According to the Minister of Health, in addition to sending medical missions to Ukraine, there is currently an exchange of experience between Ukrainian and Lithuanian medical professionals. Lithuanian specialists are learning to treat combat injuries and practicing military medicine, while Ukrainian doctors are further developing their expertise in civilian medicine. Over the past year, nearly 50 specialists – surgeons, nurses, and emergency medical workers – have been trained. In addition, over the course of two years, Lithuania will host and provide assistance to more than 300 children who have been returned home from Russia.
