Taiwan is delivering a fourth batch of emergency vehicles to Ukraine for a total of 208 ambulances, fire trucks, four wheel-drive service vehicles, rehabilitation buses, and flatbed trailers donated by Taiwan.

Taiwan sent its first batch of 48 vehicles in June 2023 and the second batch of 38 and third batch of 54 in October 2023. The fourth batch is the largest, with 68 vehicles, including 56 ambulances and 12 fire trucks.

The Rev. Lin Wei-lian (林偉聯), Taiwan Association of Community Advancement (TACA) secretary general, said his association has been entrusted with assisting in international relief missions since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Lin revealed that the most challenging issue for the fourth shipment has been transportation costs. As private donations have decreased in recent years, the fourth shipment almost couldn’t be sent due to insufficient funds, and it was only through the mediation of DPP Legislator Huang Shiou-fang (黃秀芳) and the assistance of the Foreign Ministry that this shipment was completed, he explained.

Lin stated that a memorandum of understanding was signed with Lviv, Ukraine, that detailed Taiwan would cover transportation from Taiwan to Lviv, while the Lviv city government would handle transportation within Ukraine. Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyy traveled to Taiwan to meet with personnel regarding the matter, allowing them to facilitate the cooperation, Lin noted.

Legislator Huang said she mainly assisted TACA in negotiations with the Foreign Ministry, National Fire Agency, and local fire departments, providing administrative assistance to make the donation process smoother.

TACA will hold a ceremony this Thursday in Changhua County to commemorate the joint cooperation and its contributions to war preparedness and disaster relief.