Ambassador of Ukraine Yaroslav Melnyk took part in the signing ceremony of a 2 million Eur grant agreement between the Belgium's federal development agency “Enabel” and Belgian Red Cross-Flanders under Belgium’s Be-Relieve program for the reconstruction of Ukraine. The funds will be allocated to implement a project for technical assistance, restoration, modernization, and equipping of the Chernihiv Regional Blood Center, as well as training Ukrainian specialists in the collection, processing, and transfusion of blood components for medical institutions and the needs of both civilians and military personnel. The project aims to meet the demand for donor blood and its components in the Chernihiv and Sumy regions.

During his speech, the Ambassador of Ukraine expressed gratitude to Belgium, Flanders, Enabel agency, and Red Cross Flanders for their consistent, meaningful, and practical support to Ukraine. He emphasized that ensuring a stable and safe blood supply is not merely a medical task, but a daily struggle to save human lives, where each unit of donated blood may mean a soldier rescued on the frontline, a civilian saved after a missile or drone strike, or a child whose life is preserved. “This support will significantly strengthen Ukraine’s capacity to provide our citizens with safe and high-quality blood products. It is an example of practical, humane, and forward-looking assistance that Ukraine urgently needs,” the Ambassador stated.

The event was attended by Mr. Jean Van Wetter,  CEO of Enabel, Mr. Philippe Vandekerckhove, CEO of Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, Dr. Oleksandr Serhiienko, Deputy General Director for Ukrainian Center for Transplant Coordination (UTCC), Ms Iryna Zub, Acting Director of the Chernihiv Regional Blood Center, as well as members of the Ukrainian delegation from the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the State Service of Ukraine on Medicines and Drug Control, and representatives of the non-governmental organization “Blood Agents,” who are visiting Belgium on a working trip.