The Minister for Defence visits the families of Ukrainian combatants resting in the military residence for social action in Castellón

Image of the visit by the Minister for Defence to the families of Ukrainian combatants at the 'La Plana' Military Residence for Social Action Rest (RMASD), in Castellón

The Minister for Defence, Margarita Robles, has visited the families of Ukrainian combatants who are spending a few days' resting at the 'La Plana' Military Residence for Social Action and Rest (RMASD) in Castellón, as part of Spain's "permanent support" for Ukraine, which includes humanitarian assistance.

For this support, Margarita Robles especially thanked "the Army, but also all the citizens of Castellón and the Valencian Community, who are helping the families that have come to try to move on and forget".

"The important thing is that they know that Spain is with Ukraine, that it will always be with Ukraine", said Robles, recalling that in a few days' time it will be two years since the Russian invasion started, sparking "a very hard, tremendous war that has claimed many lives".

The Minister for Defence pointed out that "it is a satisfaction to be able to help them", and that they have come here to Castellón to forget a little about the difficult situation in which they are living, pointing out by way of example that the children are surprised not to hear the noise of bombardments.

The Undersecretary of Defence, Adoración Mateos, and the Secretary General for Defence Policy, Admiral Juan Francisco Martínez Núñez, accompanied Margarita Robles to the residence, where they were received by the Director of Personnel Assistance, Major General Joaquín Salas, and the Colonel Director of the residence, Federico Gonzalez-Vico.

General Salas said that the first group of family members who were there, and who left at the beginning of the week, "left feeling very happy".

"We try to bring as many smiles as possible to the children and families who come here, and we do this on a daily basis," said General Salas about the mission of the army's social action, which is now offered to Ukrainian families for a period of a few weeks.

Rotations

This humanitarian operation in support of Ukraine has planned eight rotations of around 50 people, all with an approximate stay of 15 days, divided into two periods separated by Easter. A second group of Ukrainian families arrived last Tuesday, a total of 47 people, 24 of whom are minors (nine of them are under eight years old).

"We apply the best of emotional intelligence and spare no effort, giving what we have we give," said the director general of Personnel Assistance.

The Government Delegate in the Valencian Community, Pilar Bernabé, and the Government Subdelegate in Castellón, Antonia García, also attended the visit, which included a tour of the centre's facilities, including the library, the children's playground, the games room, the sports courts and the gymnasium.

Last, Minister Robles held a meeting with the Ukrainian families and signed the book of honour, thanking the Army for its "humanity and empathy" with this mission, which "is essential to transmit all our solidarity and support to Ukraine".

Non official translation