After taking part in the Global Ukraine Rail Task Force journey to Kyiv in April 2023, Cristina Hammersmark – who is Head of International Affairs at Norway’s rail infrastructure manager Bane NOR - intensified efforts to collect funds for more food packages.

6 April 2023: This week, representatives of the Global Ukraine Rail Task Force and its donors travelled to Kyiv at the invitation of Ukrainian Railways (“UZ”) to present a cheque to the value of €100,000 to the Ukrainian Trade Union of Railwaymen and -women, in order to purchase 6,000 food packages that are currently being distributed to railway workers and their families at the frontline of the war.

A short time after the beginning of Russia’s brutal aggression against Ukraine, the Global Ukraine Rail Task Force set up a targeted donation campaign to help the Iron Family (the workers of the Ukrainian rail sectors) and their families.

In the course of several months, more than 100.000€ were collected thanks to the generosity of the donors. The proceeds will be used to purchase 5000 food packages that will be shipped and delivered to railway workers and their families at the frontline and newly liberated territories of Ukraine. Because of recurrent supply issues due to the war, Ukrainians at the frontline go sometimes hungry. Therefore, food packages are truly vital to their wellbeing.

Russian Railways RZD sent an appeal to the Council of the European Union with the urgent request to lift the sanctions that were placed upon it just days after Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

However, RZD keeps playing a crucial role in supporting and protracting Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine.

The Global Ukraine Rail Task Force has called for a specific Marshall Plan for the rail sector in Ukraine, due to its “central and critical role both now and during the future reconstruction of the country.”