BRUSSELS (Brussels Morning) – Anyone who wants to donate relief goods to help the Ukrainians can do so in Palace 11 at the Heysel. Since yesterday, Brussels Expo has been collecting items at the request of the Ukrainian embassy.
Last week it was very busy at the embassy of Ukraine in Uccle. Every day dozens of people came to bring things to help the people in Ukraine, hit by an invasion of neighbouring Russia. The solidarity is so great that the embassy appeared far too small. That is why the Belgian authorities were asked for help. Brussels Expo responded to the plea and opened a meeting point in Hall 11 on Thursday.
“The embassy staff and volunteers manage everything here,” operations director Emin Luka told BX1. “They receive the people who come here to donate stuff, sort the goods and prepare pallets every day that are put on a truck in the evening, which then leaves for Ukraine.”
“The most important things people need in such situations are basic commodities like medicines and warm clothes,” adds volunteer Tetyana Pasyno. Hall 11 is to remain open every day for a whole month from 8 a.m. in the morning to 8 p.m. in the evening.
Polish solidarity in Etterbeek
In addition to the collection point at the Heysel, relief goods will also be collected in Etterbeek this weekend. It is an initiative of several Polish organisations in Brussels, including WOŚP and Sztab Pomocy Belgia.
They receive relief goods on Friday evening from 5 to 8 pm and on the weekend from 12 noon to 8 pm in a Polish cultural centre at 39 De Haernestraat. The Polish organisations primarily demand canned food, hygiene products and medical products. “We don’t collect clothes,” WOŚP Bruksela says.