Mitie has shipped vital PPE and other hygiene supplies to the GE Operator Humanitarian Centre in Warsaw, which will be used for essential medical care and general hygiene for those fleeing the war in Ukraine. The centre offers temporary refuge and aid to those displaced by the war and has so far supported more than 52,000 refugees by offering a safe place to stay, medical care and psychological support, as well as help to arrange onward travel to countries across Europe.
Mitie, which previously ran UK Government’s COVID-19 testing centres throughout the pandemic, has put to use excess PPE stock stored in its warehouse in Swindon and repurposed it for the rescue and relief effort following a surge in demand for support at the Ukrainian border.
With the help of humanitarian partner Stronghold Global, Mitie packed and shipped an articulated lorry full of sanitiser, toilet cleaner, wipes, spill kits, coveralls, gowns, masks, face shields and gloves to the Polish capital, answering the plea for vital supplies by the humanitarian centre.
Mark Donnelly, Group Director of Operational Excellence and Business Transformation, spearheaded the project for Mitie along with Mitie’s Director of Central Operations, Stuart Bleazard and Head of Strategic Procurement, Iain Taylor. Mark explained:
“The Global Humanitarian Centre in Poland, is a huge venue equivalent to the size of the NEC in Birmingham, that is rapidly filling up with people in need. As numbers escalate, demand for cleaning products at the centre is increasing. Hygiene in the camp is vital, especially as the numbers of refugees increase. The centre was reaching out to UK companies for donations of cleaning products and I knew that Mitie could step up and answer the call for help.
“The lorry has now arrived in Warsaw, and we are humbled that we have been able to make a small difference to those fleeing the war in Ukraine.”
Krzysztof Szczęsny from The GE Operator Humanitarian Centre in Warsaw said: “PPE and hygiene equipment is so important for us to carry out the necessary medical support and treatment for those in our care and ensure we have a safe and hygienic place for Ukrainians fleeing war. Thank you to Mitie for answering the call – it will make a substantial difference to our humanitarian efforts.”
To find out more about the GE Operator Humanitarian centre or to donate please visit www.poland4you.org.
