Poland sends aid to Lithuania to help with migrant situation
Various equipment, including tents, beds and power generators, will leave Poland for Lithuania next Wednesday in order to help with the rising problem of irregular migrants arriving from neighbouring Belarus.
Lithuania has asked the European Union for material assistance under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Much needed equipment will also be sent by Poland to Lithuania.
A government spokesperson told PAP that the supplies to Lithuania will include 10 10-person tents and 10 large 60-person tents, which can accommodate up to 700 people in total. The list also includes a hundred beds, hundreds of blankets, duvets, pillows, bedding, cabinets, tables, hangers and chairs. In addition, six combustion power generators and five combustion heaters will be delivered.
According to information received by PAP, the transport is being organised by the Ministry of National Defence along with the Government Agency for Strategic Reserves (RARS).
This was confirmed by the RARS president, Michal Kuczmierowski, who said that the transport would begin next Wednesday with the support of two Polish Post vehicles.
"This is a response to the needs of Lithuania in connection with the migration crisis. We are staying in touch. If the needs are greater, we will react on an ongoing basis," Kuczmierowski said.
The migrant problem in Lithuania has intensified since the end of May and this year at least 1,902 irregular migrants have already been detained. This figure is already 23 times higher than for the whole of last year and the Lithuanian government believes the numbers are increasing due to a form of hybrid warfare being waged by the Belarusian authorities.
