This equipment will help reduce operational and traveling costs, allowing for safe communication and coordination between customs officers, with other State agencies and international entities during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The highly decentralised structure of the State Customs Service requires secure and high-quality channels of communication. Furthermore, this assistance will ensure capacity building and training for staff as well as enhanced operational efficiency during the pandemic.  

“The COVID-19 pandemic has unfortunately impacted every aspect of our lives and societies, from health systems to the economy to governance structures. With the delivery of this equipment to the State Customs Service of Ukraine, the EU aims to contribute to the epidemiological safety of the State Customs Service staff, its operational efficiency and continued reform progress, despite the challenging public health situation,” Martin Klaucke, Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Operations Section “Good Governance and Democratisation”, said.

This equipment is worth approximately EUR 340,000 and is the latest part of EU4PFM Programme assistance. Overall, the EU supports Ukraine’s fight against COVID-19 with a EUR 190 million package, as part of the global #TeamEurope response to the pandemic it is delivering together with its Member States. The EU response to COVID-19 focuses on limiting the spread of the virus and providing emergency support to the health crisis, sustainably strengthening health systems, as well as addressing the socioeconomic impact of the crisis by supporting jobs, civil society, culture and vulnerable groups.