Assistance for the Ukrainian population – in Ukraine and in Germany

The Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community (BMI) is providing assistance to the Ukrainian population in Germany and on the ground in Ukraine. By supporting our subordinate authorities (for example, the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW), the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) and the Federal Police (BPOL)), we are able to provide assistance exactly where it is needed.

Overview:

Assistance for Ukrainians in Germany

Some 1.25 million people from Ukraine have found refuge in Germany – the vast majority of them are children and young people and their mothers. More than half of the German population has taken action to help Ukrainian refugees. Most have provided assistance in the form of cash and in-kind donations (more information (in German) on the website of the German foundation for civic engagement and volunteering (Deutsche Stiftung für Engagement und Ehrenamt)). Germany has been providing care and assistance to injured and ill persons since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression. To date, 1,356 individuals have been evacuated and treated in hospitals across Germany, including both civilians and soldiers. Many of the victims have lost limbs and suffered gunshot and blast injuries.

Support for Ukraine’s civil protection efforts

The Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance coordinates all responses to requests for assistance made through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The Federal Agency for Technical Relief and the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance manage deliveries of relief supplies. In total, Germany has made around 600 deliveries of relief supplies (525 directly for Ukraine). Approximately 241.5 million euros’ worth of aid has been provided to Ukraine so far (including major donations, primarily medical supplies, medications, vans and other motor vehicles, equipment for CBRN countermeasures and support for the energy sector).

The relief effort by the Federal Agency for Technical Relief during Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is the largest logistical operation in the agency’s history. Working closely with the Procurement Office of the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community and the Federal Foreign Office, the Federal Agency for Technical Relief has already procured approximately 138 million euros’ worth in aid supplies since 2022, the majority of which has already been transported to Ukraine. The relief supplies primarily support the areas near the front lines as well as Ukraine’s civil protection and disaster response agencies, which include the fire and emergency medical services. The Federal Agency for Technical Relief coordinates its efforts directly with the various partners in Ukraine in order to provide targeted support, and it coordinates its deliveries with the Federal Foreign Office and the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community among others.

It has procured the following supplies, among others:

• More than 360 motor vehicles, such as airport fire trucks, pumper fire trucks, water tankers, large tipper trucks and other specialised vehicles (aerial work platforms, suction flushing vehicles)
• Nearly 130 construction vehicles, such as tracked excavators and other tracked vehicles, backhoe loaders, telescopic wheel loaders and demolition excavators
• Some 1,300 generators and 20 storage batteries
• More than 1,100 heaters, 30 modular housing blocks, 8 sanitary cabins with showers, 180 tents, 8 field kitchens and other items for housing
• CBRN protective supplies (1,600 protective suits, 8,000 disposable protective suits, 4,500 masks, 24,000 filters for masks)
• Water supply equipment (including 12 deep well pumps, 3 water treatment units, some 5,000 mobile water filters)
• Mobile tool containers including equipment (tool sets, chain saws, abrasive saws, concrete-breakers)

Security for Ukraine

To date, the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and the Federal Police have provided partner agencies in Ukraine with assistance valued at more than 69.4 million euros (including 38.95 million euros from the Federal Foreign Office’s budget), for example

• Thermal imaging cameras and night vision devices
• Protective vests
• Medical masks and disposable blankets
• Vehicles
• Instruments to secure physical evidence

In addition, the Federal Police have been provided with additional funding amounting to 9 million euros for carrying out passenger checks and identity registration to help in dealing with the higher number of people entering the country.

The Federal Criminal Police Office has so far supplied goods and services valued at more than 22 million euros (including 14.4 million euros from the Federal Foreign Office’s budget) to its partner agencies in Ukraine.

In addition to providing explosives disposal equipment, vehicles and other command, control and operational equipment and supplies, the Federal Criminal Police Office has also assisted with forensics in the recovery of physical evidence and in documentation.

Since the Russian war of aggression began, the Federal Police have helped Ukraine’s border guard with extensive equipment aid worth a total of 69.4 million euros (including 38.95 million euros from the budget of the Federal Foreign Office). For 2025, additional support from the Federal Criminal Police Office and the Federal Police is planned.

In addition, a German police officer is supporting the EU Mission EUAM Ukraine as an expert on the investigation of war crimes.

Integration services

Shortly after the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine began, the Federal Government opened its German language courses and advisory services to refugees from Ukraine. The courses and services offered by the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community and by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) include, among other things, the Migration Advisory Service for Adult Immigrants, integration courses, orientation courses and integration courses specifically for women (“Migrantinnen einfach stark im Alltag”, MiA).

Since 2022, Ukrainian nationals have made up the largest group of participants in integration courses. Since February 2022, more than 511,000 refugees from Ukraine have taken an integration course.

Date of revision: 24 February 2025