Since the invasion of
Ukraine, Direct Relief has granted more than $12 million to nine organizations
working on the ground to address the health impacts of the Ukraine war, whether
in Ukraine itself or surrounding countries receiving refugees.
The
grant funding adds to the more than 508,000 pounds (230,425 kg) of direct
medical aid provided by Direct Relief since February 24, 2022, when Russia
first invaded Ukraine, to groups helping refugees, internally displaced
persons, and others affected by the ongoing crisis.
The
Ukraine war has created shortages of vital medications, including insulin,
oncology drugs, and thyroid medicines, while increasing the need for medical
aid such as PPE, wound care, antibiotics, and even an antidote to chemical
weapons. Direct Relief has provided all these medications and supplies to
partners working in the region.
However,
the situation has also created needs that cannot be answered by shipments of
medical aid. Ukrainians who have fled the country are finding themselves with
no means to pay for urgently needed prescription medications. A Kyiv hospital
offering free care to people injured or affected by the war is unable to pay
its medical staff their salaries. A coalition of first responders, invited by
the Ukrainian government to conduct search-and-rescue operations in the
country, needs transportation and equipment. The
grants provided by Direct Relief will help with these costs, and much more.
Recipients
of grants provided or committed include the following:
Direct
Cash Assistance to Ukrainian Refugees ($10 million provided):
Ukrainian refugees in Poland will receive medical care, but face high copays
for prescription medications that many, fleeing without income or resources,
will not have the means to pay. With a focus on mothers and their children,
along with older adults, this grant will be used to pay prescription copays for
Ukrainian refugees at pharmacies throughout Poland. The program is a joint
initiative between Direct Relief and Pelion, Poland’s largest healthcare
company.
Charity
Fund Modern Village and Town ($250,000 provided): This
Ukrainian NGO has established a distribution center in central Ukraine, where
they have procured medicine, medical supplies, and hygiene items for people
fleeing the violence. Two $100,000 grants were used to help defray operational
costs, such as for trucking and generators. In addition, the organization has
been tasked with emergency patient transfers out of conflict zones in eastern
Ukraine, for patients with cancer, cystic fibrosis, pericarditis, and other
conditions requiring urgent medical attention. An additional $50,000 was
granted to help Charity Fund continue these services in the coming months.
Ukrainian
Diabetes Federation ($150,000 provided): The war in
Ukraine has created severe logistical hurdles for people with diabetes, making
it difficult to access insulin, glucose monitoring equipment, and even food.
This in-country organization distributes medical equipment and is currently
monitoring where people who need insulin are located and where they are
fleeing. This grant will be used for operational costs so that they can
distribute material aid, also provided by Direct Relief, and continue gathering
and sharing vital information.
Polish
National Agency for Strategic Reserves ($350,000 committed): The
Polish government has appointed this organization to act as a hub for
humanitarian aid, including medical and other needed materials. In this role,
they have been working with Direct Relief to store medical aid safely. They
will use the funding to continue their humanitarian operations.
Project
Joint Guardian ($50,000 provided): This organization
is a coalition of U.S. and international firefighters that support first
responder and search and rescue efforts around the world. At the invitation of
the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the group will send 20 representatives
out to conduct search and rescue and first responder operations, as well as
training Ukrainian responders in some rescue techniques. (Direct Relief is
providing logistical services to send search and rescue equipment items to
Ukraine, and the 20 representatives will also use Direct Relief emergency
medical backpacks.) The funding will be used to cover transportation costs and
purchase needed equipment.
Society
for Critical Care Medicine ($750,000 provided): This
organization is a global community of clinicians who care for critically ill or
injured patients in over 100 countries. Members in Ukraine and the surrounding
countries have identified critical medical aid needed for people affected by
the ongoing war. The funding will be used to procure medication and supplies
needed most urgently by intensivists in these countries, using well-established
supply chains.
Polish
Diabetes Federation ($102,000 committed): This
organization is a senior member of the International Diabetes Federation. They
have identified 500 Ukrainian refugees in Poland who have diabetes, need help,
and will use the funding for pharmacy and food vouchers for these patients.
Dobrobut
Hospital ($750,000 provided): Prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, this
was a private hospital network in Kyiv with a large fleet of ambulances. Once
the war began, they began acting as a nonprofit hospital, providing care on a
pay-if-you-can basis and sending ambulances into the community to find victims
of attacks and bring them to hospitals. The grant will allow them to provide
free care to all patients and pay salaries and supply food for medical staff
over the coming months.
Please Donate. Here are three links:
Direct Relief
6100 Wallace Becknell Road, Santa Barbara, California 93117
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