Presentation of the "District 22 Kiev" project
The Deputy Mayor of Madrid, Ms Begoña Villacís, participated last April 5th, in representation of the municipalities of Spain in the United Nations Mayors‘ Forum that took place in Geneva. During the Forum she had the opportunity to present to the Mayor of Kiev, Mr Vitali Klitschko, the project "District 22 Kiev" for aid and reconstruction.
Taking advantage of this occasion, the Deputy Mayor was able to convey the support and solidarity of the people of Madrid towards the Ukrainians, as well as the presentation of the project, including several municipal government areas and, in particular, the Delegate Area of Internationalization and Cooperation.
Through this initiative, Madrid City Council intends to act on three levels: immediate humanitarian aid in the face of the conflict emergency, projects with refugees in neighboring countries, comprehensive care and housing for refugees, and future aid in the reconstruction of the city and its main infrastructures.
The Mayor of Kiev, who participated by videoconference, expressed his gratitude for the intentions and support offered by Ms Begoña Villacís on behalf of Madrid and by the other mayors present at the conference.
Villacís also explained to Mayor Klitschko that Madrid has sent resources, both financial and material, to the Ukrainian border with the help of the main NGOs and international organizations. More than 600 Ukrainian refugees have already been housed in the Las Caracolas space, and the Daoiz y Velarde Transit Center is ready. On the other hand, the program to support training and employment for these people through the Employment Agency has begun.
Madrid will also provide on-site assistance through the selection of projects to help internally displaced persons in Ukraine and refugees in neighboring countries, who are making an enormous effort.