The Ukrainian Equestrian Federation Charity Foundation, which was set up at the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict to manage the logistics and coordination of humanitarian aid and the evacuation of horses, has received over 375 tons of feed, shavings and other material aid at its central hub in Poland and over €75,000 in donations, according to a joint statement issued Wednesday by the Fédération Equestre Internationale and the European Equestrian Federation.

The statement came after a webinar jointly hosted by the EEF, Ukrainian Equestrian Federation, UEF Charity Foundation and the FEI. The meeting included an overview of the current actions and priorities in Ukraine, as well as a discussion to establish the most efficient processes required to support the equestrian community (including the horses) in Ukraine and those who have fled to neighboring nations.

Working hand in hand and funded by the FEI Solidarity Relief Fund, the UEF Charity Foundation has created a logistical hub in Granat, located between Lviv and the Polish border, able to accommodate up to 40 horses so they can be prepared for transfer into the European Union. It is expected this hub will be at full capacity in the coming days.

“Whilst the achievements so far have been remarkable, the UEF Charity Foundation gave a stark warning that the requirement for aid is ongoing,” the joint statement said. “Over the next month, an expected 2,000 horses will require support from the foundation which would equate to triple the number of supplies currently held. As such, there is a need to continue working cooperatively across Europe in order to facilitate the supply of aid.”

FEI Solidarity Director Jean-Phillippe Camboulives urged all national equestrian federations “to designate an official representative to first coordinate the offers of support and supplies nationally, and then liaise with the FEI, EEF and UEF to ensure logistical efficiency.”

Among other things, this would entail that offers for accommodation or employment be coordinated through national federations, prior to reaching the UEF Charity Foundation and the FEI Solidarity Relief Fund.

“[The] FEI Solidarity Relief Fund has been able to provide great support to individual members in the Ukrainian community through neighboring and European member federations such as the Ukrainian vaulting team which is currently training and living in Slovakia thanks to the efforts of the host national federation and the determination of their Secretary General Zuzana Baciak,” Camboulives added. “And there are many examples like this at the moment. We must continue to work together and to coordinate our efforts and use our resources effectively.”

For more information, visit the FEI website.