From Chaos to System — Mary Akopian on Interacting with International Partners in a Time of War
Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Mary Akopian gave an extensive interview to the Ukrinform news agency. In particular, she told about the ongoing search for donor and partner resources after the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation.
“I have a feeling that these 8 months have passed like eight years... And from chaos to systematics, we really went somewhere around six months. When I mentally and emotionally return to that time, I remember first of all the frenzied wave of internal mobilization,” says Mary Akopian about the journey.
On February 24, at 5 in the morning, she was already working in her office. It was necessary to decide where to start.
“I haven't had an answer to this question for a while. As if “awakened” by the enemy “arrival” at one of the large warehouses in the Kiev region, where they stored a significant part of our military equipment and ammunition. I immediately gathered people and cars to take units and equipment from BC to safe places. And at the same time, all my physical and mental tools worked. I remember how I called all partners abroad without exception, because it seemed that they did not see the beginning of a real war and that we needed help. She explained that there was a catastrophic lack of equipment, that there was a need for self-defense... Since then, the calls have not stopped from dawn until late at night. It went on day after day. It seemed: if you stop, miss at least one call, you can lose the country,” says the deputy head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
At first, there were many calls from foreign diplomats about the rescue of their compatriots, and in a few days another wave began - calls with questions about how we can help.
“At the moment, we have systematized and stabilized our work. We already have a register of international assistance provided to the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which contains more than 500 pages. There is also a list of needs. There are adjustments in the process, like the current energy crisis — we are now preparing for both a possible blackout and the need to heat and feed tens of thousands of people,” says Mary Akopian.
According to her, it is necessary to reformat the architecture of the law enforcement system, to draw clear conclusions, what worked and what did not.
“Today, we work out the needs of our services with partners more precisely, taking into account the current situation. For example, the fourth recent tranche of emergency assistance from the UK involved nine fire and rescue vehicles and fire rescue equipment. In total, about 70 units of fire and rescue equipment have been received from the British since the beginning of the war,” the deputy minister said.
Read more of the interview with Mary Akopian at https://bit.ly/3EnIhf8.
Department of Communications of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
