Disaster Response Ukraine Project #55874

Providing Critical Medicines for Ukraine Crisis

Project Report | Feb 22, 2023
Report on Activities in Ukraine, One Year After In

By Heather Bennett | Vice President

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, unleashed a level of suffering upon the Ukrainian people that few thought would ever be seen again in Europe. Eight million people fled Ukraine, and an estimated 5 million more were internally displaced. One year later, the humanitarian crisis and human tragedy continue as ongoing Russian attacks on civilian electricity infrastructure, homes, and health facilities are increasing the number of people who have lost their lives, survivors who have sustained injuries, and widespread, enormous psychological trauma.

Direct Relief’s response was immediate and has been an extensive, high-tempo, high-volume operation over the past 12 months that continues. The assistance to Ukrainian people detailed in this report has been the largest response in the organization’s 75-year history – all with private resources, which reflects the extraordinary participation and generosity of individuals, organizations, and businesses globally that have made it possible.

People from more than 83 countries – including Russia and Belarus – and all 50 U.S. states and five U.S. territories have contributed to Direct Relief’s humanitarian response in support of the Ukrainian people. So, too, have dozens of healthcare companies with extensive contributions of critically needed products as well as financial support, which also has been provided by businesses of all types and many private organizations.

This report about activities undertaken and plans moving forward is for you and everyone else who has so generously participated in Direct Relief’s response and, importantly, for the Ukrainian people for whose benefit the generosity was extended.

Since the initial invasion, Direct Relief has

Delivered to Ukraine more than 2.4 million lbs. -- over 1,200 tons -- of medicine and medical supplies with a wholesale value of $763 million, with every item having been requested and pre-approved prior to it being sent. The 182 deliveries, or one every other day, have included Rx medications and therapies for a broad range of common conditions and therapies for cancer and other specialized care.
Disbursed $24.9 million in financial support to local healthcare organizations providing care in Ukraine and others in countries, including Poland and Slovakia, that have opened their doors to Ukrainian refugees. That funding has covered medication costs for more than 266,000 Ukrainian refugees in Poland, provided mental health care for close to 25,000 Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia, and funded rehabilitation programs focused on working with amputees, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and psychosocial support.

Despite unavoidable uncertainty about the future, people in Ukraine face many long-term health consequences that are crystal clear. Those who have sustained disabling injuries will require lifetime care, including children who have lost limbs and will require new prosthetic devices as they grow up. That’s why, among other things, Direct Relief is providing both funding and material aid into rehabilitation services, which is a priority for the Ukrainian government and health leaders.

As this tragic moment in history continues to unfold in Ukraine, Direct Relief will continue to serve the people whose lives have been upended, with deepest thanks to you and each person and organization that is part of this effort.

Links:

Comprehensive One-Year Report on Ukraine Response

Attachments:

Letter from the Ukraine Ministry of Health (PDF)

1 Attachment

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Nov 4, 2022
Ukraine Update Report (Nov 2022)

By Heather Bennett | Vice President

Nine months of war in Ukraine has caused the deaths of thousands, injured untold numbers more, and displaced millions from their homes and country.

In those nine months, Direct Relief, as a recognized international partner of Ukraine’s Ministry of Health, is continuing its scaled-up response along the two parallel tracks of supporting those affected by war in Ukraine and those forced to flee their homes to neighboring countries.

In large-scale crises, Direct Relief always aims to safely and securely deliver emergency medical resources – that are requested, approved by the responsible government authority, and appropriate for the circumstances – where they are most needed and as fast and efficiently as possible.

Since the war broke out, Direct Relief has secured and shipped more than 890 tons of requested medicines and supplies to more than 400 healthcare delivery sites in Ukraine and neighboring countries. That includes 155 million defined daily doses of medication to address a wide range of acute and chronic health needs.

Thanks to the outpouring of financial support from thousands of individuals, companies and foundations across 80 countries, Direct Relief is also providing cash assistance to help facilities and organizations effectively respond to the massive surge of patients at a time when many healthcare facilities have been damaged.

Consistent with Direct Relief’s focus on supporting persons who are most vulnerable, financial assistance has been directed to the Ukrainian Diabetes Foundation and the Society of Critical Care Medicine, among other reputable and vetted groups.

To date, Direct Relief has awarded emergency financial support totaling $15.9 million to help sustain and bolster the provision of health care in Ukraine and to support healthcare services for Ukrainian refugees in Poland and Moldova.

In the coming months, Direct Relief will continue to work closely with the Ukrainian Ministry of Health and on-the-ground healthcare organizations by supporting areas identified in the Government’s Ukraine Recovery Plan.

Specifically, Direct Relief will help:

strengthen access to primary healthcare to address the rising burden of non-communicable conditions
bolster rehabilitation services, including equipment and provider training, for people who have been injured
address mental health and psychological support among healthcare providers and the general population as a result of war-related trauma

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Jul 18, 2022
Direct Relief delivered 800+ tons of medical aid

By Heather Bennett | Vice President

Medicines arrive in Ukraine

In the four months since the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces on February 24, 2022, Direct Relief has emerged as one of the largest charitable providers of medical aid to Ukraine, delivering more than 800 tons (1.5+ million pounds) of medicines and supplies and providing over $14.7 million in direct financial assistance to other organizations in the region. The cash assistance has included direct payments for refugees to cover prescription medication costs, as well as operating funds for health facilities providing care in Ukraine.

As the war continues, Direct Relief is approaching the response along two parallel tracks – support for those experiencing the conflict in Ukraine, and for those fleeing Ukraine to neighboring countries.

Direct Relief’s main objective in any large-scale disaster response is to safely and securely deliver emergency medical resources – that are requested, approved by the responsible government authority, and appropriate for the circumstances – where they are most needed, as fast and efficiently as possible.

Direct Relief’s support in response to the crisis in Ukraine can be divided into three categories: medical material assistance, direct financial assistance and information assistance.

Healthcare facilities and organizations in Ukraine that have received medical goods include:

Ukrainian Ministry of Health
Charity Fund Modern Village and Town
Kharkiv City Council
Odessa Ministry of Health/City Center
Kyiv Renal and Nephrology Center
Fondation Humanitaire International
Chernivtsi City Charitable Fund
Ukrainian Diabetes Federation
Charity Fund "TAPS"
Dobrobut Medical Network
Razom for Ukraine
Ukraine Association for Pediatric Endocrinologists
Kyiv Charity Foundation
Reach Out Worldwide
Project Joint Guardian

Direct Relief send two airlifts of medicine

Links:

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