The European Equestrian Federation, associated national federations, and the FEI have released a statement following a webinar held today (March 30) to take stock of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and how the nation’s equines can be adequately provided for.
Hosted by the Ukrainian Equestrian Federation, the UEF Charity Foundation, the EEF and the FEI, the meeting aimed to streamline the processes of providing aid, following an enormous uptick in efforts from equestrians all over Europe and beyond. Recent efforts have seen convoys of lorries full of feed leave the UK on behalf of the British Equestrian Federation, and many HGV drivers have been lending their skills to transporting further feed and bedding, as well as medical and veterinary supplies. The UEF Charity Foundation, which was established at the onset of the war, has been at the forefront of managing the logistics of aid, as well as the evacuation of horses, which has recently included noteworthy stallions Cornet Obolensky and Comme Il Faut. So far, they’ve received over 375 tonnes of material aid and in excess of €75,000 of financial aid. Further funding from the FEI Solidarity Relief Fund has allowed the Foundation to create a logistical hub near the Polish border, which acts as a holding zone for up to 40 horses, whose paperwork can then be finalised for transfer into the European Union.
During the course of the meeting, the UEF Charity Foundation stressed that the need for aid — both material and financial — remains enormous and will be ongoing. The Foundation estimates that around 2,000 horses will require their aid over the next month, which would use three times the amount of supplies currently available at the hub.
But all good charity drives must be well-organised to avoid donations of unusable goods, and FEI Solidarity Director Jean-Philippe Camboulives urged National Federations to “designate an official representative to first coordinate the offers of support and supplies nationally, and then liaise with the FEI, EEF and UEF to ensure logistical efficiency.”
He pointed out that goodwill offers of accommodation and employment must go through these representatives to ensure safeguarding.
“The FEI Solidarity Relief Fund has been able to provide great support to individual members in the Ukrainian community through neighbouring and European member federations such as the Ukrainian Vaulting team which is currently training and living in Slovakia thanks to the efforts of the host National Federation and the determination of their Secretary General Zuzana Baciak. And there are many examples like this at the moment. We must continue to work together and to coordinate our efforts and use our resources effectively.”
Further in the meeting, FEI Veterinary Director Göran Åkerström offered an update on EU administrative protocol, which has been amended this week to further facilitate transport of horses out of Ukraine. The FEI is expected to issue clear guidance to stakeholders in the coming days.
EEF President Theo Ploegmakers concluded the meeting by saying, “the situation in Ukraine is devastating, but the collaboration we have seen across Europe through our members and the FEI is incredibly encouraging. There is still a huge amount of work to be done to help both the equines and the wider equestrian community in Ukraine and I believe through our network in Europe we can continue to provide the necessary support.”
If you’d like to assist in ongoing aid efforts or make a donation to help Ukrainian refugees and their horses, check out our resource guide. For further information on aid efforts thus far, here’s a recent update.
