Ukraine | Humanitarian Response

The Russian Federation launched a military attack against Ukraine on 24 February 2022. In total, the number of registered IDPs inside the country exceeds 1.46 million. The escalating conflict has caused an immediate and sharp increase in humanitarian needs, both within the country and in neighbouring countries hosting refugees. Many people remain trapped in areas of escalating conflict. At the same time, due to the immediate disruption of services, they are unable to meet their basic needs, including food, water and medicine.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Médecins du Monde – Greece launched its humanitarian mission at the border of Siret, Romania on 10.03.2022.
• A Mobile Medical Unit has permanently remained in Siret, supported by both medical and administrative personnel and volunteers, including a general practitioner, a gynaecologist and a paediatrician. To date, a total of 70 health volunteers have supported the operation of the Mobile Medical Unit, rotating in teams of four.
• Médecins du Monde – Greece provides Primary Healthcare and Protection (including first aid, mental health and psychosocial support) at the Siret border, while also visiting and supporting 7 refugee shelters Romania. So far, MdM-Greece medical field team has supported a total of more than 3,000 patients in transit. These include cases with mild symptoms (colds, flu, fainting, etc.), emergencies (trauma care) and chronic patients who need more complex treatment and medication.
• Médecins du Monde – Greece has so far collected around 80 tons of humanitarian material support (mainly medicines and medical supplies) and has already carried out 16 humanitarian missions in Ukraine, accompanying the delivery of items reaching 5 oblasts (Chernivtsi, Lviv, Donetsk, Odessa, Sumy)
• Médecins du Monde – Greece, in cooperation with the Directorate General for Development and Humanitarian Aid of the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, supported the south-eastern region of Odessa by transporting loads of humanitarian aid (PPE, medicines and medical supplies) in early April. The next humanitarian aid targeting Odessa Oblast is being prepared and will be carried out in the upcoming weeks
• MdM-Greece has been closely cooperating with local authorities in Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk and Lviv, as well as local partners in the scope of providing hospitals and health centres in Ukraine, with essential material aid. On 20.09.2022, MdM-Greece representatives met with the Head of Chernivtsi Regional Council and signed a MoU.

• During September, MdM-Greece representives made a field visit and needs assessment in Kuty Hromada located at the mountainous area in south-east Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast. MdM-Greece team held a meeting with the Mayor and paid a visit to Kuty Central Hospital as well as other Outpatience Clinics in the surrounding villages. A Medical Mobile Unit will be soon deployed in the area in order to support the local health system address the current needs of access to healthcare for locals and IDPs leaving in remote and rural areas.
• In September, MdM-Greece in collaboration with the Odessa based NGO, Way Home has officially initiated its activities in Odessa city, offering PHC and MHPSS services to local vulnerable population and IDPs.
• With the support of Americares and a new partnership with ACTED, in August and September, a total of 4 humanitarian aid missions were successfully delivered to Health Facilities throughout Ukraine. In particular, medicines and medical equipment and consumables were delivered to 4 hospitals in Chernivtsi Oblast (Bukovinian Center of Remedial Treatment and Integrated Rehabilitation for Children, Bukovinian Clinical Oncology Center and Chernivtsi Emergency Hospital, Khotyn Central District Hospital). In addition, specialized psychotropic medicines were delivered for the 2nd time to both Chernivtsi Regional Psychiatric Hospital and Slovyansk Psychiatric Hospital. Lastly, medical supplies and first-aid kits were sent to Bilopillya Outpatient Medical Center, Sumy Oblast for the 1st time.
• More than 3,000 internationally displaced persons in Greece have received support and health services in Athens and Thessaloniki (including housing, social counselling, psychological support, liaison with the NHS and the Public Administration, and distribution of basic necessities and food aid).
• So far, more than 15,000 people have been directly benefited from the intervention activities of Médecins du Monde – Greece, while the indirect beneficiaries are estimated at around 500,000.