LH Platter: “Tyrol sticks together in crises”
State of Tyrol thanks emergency services and aid organizations at the security reception for their tireless commitment in the corona pandemic and Ukraine crisis.
At the invitation of LH Gunther Teller and security officer LHS Deputy Joseph Geissler Today, Thursday evening, hundreds of police officers, firefighters, employees of the rescue service as well as mountain and water rescue services as well as members of the federal army came to the already traditional security reception of the state of Tyrol in the Congress Innsbruck. Cohesion and solidarity in Tyrol were and are not only upheld during the Corona pandemic, but also now in the Ukraine crisis. Tyrol’s lived togetherness can once again be clearly felt both between all emergency services and in the population. With this solidarity, Tyrol will also meet future challenges.
“The corona pandemic has not yet been completely overcome and we as a whole society and European community of solidarity are already being put to the test: We are experiencing firsthand and directly the effects of actual aggression, the likes of which have not been seen on our continent for decades. Russia’s attack on Ukraine is an attempt to change the peace model EU undermine and attack our Western norms and values. These values must be defended with all our might. Europe’s response is not aspirational, the answer is cohesion and solidarity,” declared LH Platter in his speech on the armed conflicts in Ukraine.
At the same time, the governor expressed his sincere thanks to the emergency services and aid organizations in the state, who are doing everything they can to ensure the necessary security, not only in the past two years of the pandemic, but also now: “You all do it day after day in the name of solidarity and charity their service and leave no stone unturned to ease the worries of the people in the country, to protect them from harm, to save lives and to provide security. For this assignment, which is very demanding, challenging and in many cases also dangerous, every single one deserves a heartfelt thank you. Even if times remain challenging, I am convinced that we will overcome them together – by showing solidarity and helping together.”
Aid to Ukraine takes staying power
Even Elisabeth Rathgeb, Director of Caritas in the Diocese of Innsbruck, focuses on working together in times of crisis: “The need in Ukraine and the refugees is frightening and so are many people in Tyrol. We are experiencing a great wave of helpfulness and solidarity. I am very grateful for that. Caritas is currently particularly involved in Ukraine, in neighboring countries, in our partner diocese of Satu Mare in Romania, and for refugees here in Tyrol. This help will take a lot of staying power. But I am sure that together we will overcome the challenge.”
The state of Tyrol actively supports voluntary work
Security officer described as the “foundation” and “supporting pillars” for overcoming a certain crisis and as “beacons of cohesion and solidarity”. LHS Deputy Josef Geisler the many thousands of volunteers in the emergency organizations, but also in civil society. From the point of view of the State Security Council, a special feature in Tyrol is the cooperation between the emergency services and the cohesion and solidarity in an emergency. “It is not only our obligation as the state of Tyrol to support the emergency organizations and volunteer work. It’s really important to us,” confirms Geisler. Because only with the right equipment, training and appreciation is it possible to cope with the daily operations and major events.
Together also in the Ukraine aid
“In the Ukraine aid we maintain the best possible cooperation between the state of Tyrol, the emergency services, the non-governmental organization‘s and the Ukrainian consulate in Tyrol. The Ukraine Task Force was set up just four days after the start of the war. Since then, there have been meetings every day on all occasions in order to be able to optimally coordinate the help and also the reception of refugees,” reports Elmar RizzoliHead of the Tyrolean Center for Employee and Crisis Management and Head of the Ukraine Special Staff, of incredible solidarity and an outstanding commitment from everyone.