Władyslaw Ortyl, the President of the Podkarpackie region in Poland and the President of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group in the European Committee of the Regions organized a donation of medical equipment to help the people of Italy tackle “the most dramatic public health crisis in generations". This donated medical equipment consists of personal protective equipment (PPE) including facemasks and gloves as well as sanitizing and hygienic materials which were delivered to medical staff in the Varese region which serves the needs of the people of Morazzone and surrounding communities.

The commune of Morazzone (Varese region) is where fellow ECR Member, Matteo Bianchi serves as a local Councillor and former Mayor. In his motivation for donating this equipment Mr. Ortyl cited “fraternal relations and solidarity" between European peoples in fighting the covid-19 pandemic. On Friday, May 8th, in an online-meeting with the President of the European Committee of the Regions, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Mr. Bianchi emphasized the need for European cooperation and solidarity in fighting the covid-19 pandemic. Mr. Bianchi expressed gratitude to Mr. Ortyl's gesture of solidarity and friendship.

Mr. Ortyl's actions are but a small example of this greater cooperation and mutual support that must occur so that all Europeans can emerge from this crisis as healthy, safe, and prosperous as possible. ​