Dr. Lilliana Damaschin, Medical Teams staff, checks on Izmail’s pharmacy stock.

(PORTLAND, OR) February 7, 2023 – On February 24, 2022, the world witnessed the onset of the Russia-Ukraine crisis, further escalating a conflict which started in 2014. This set off what would quickly become a massive displacement of Ukrainians within the country, with many fleeing to other European nations. The unprecedented impact of this migration is still reverberating throughout the region and beyond, with an estimated 7.8 million refugees, nearly 6 million internally displaced people, and 17.6 million people deemed as needing urgent humanitarian assistance.

As distressing and devastating as this conflict has been over the past year, Ukrainians have inspired the world through their strength, unity, and resilience. Medical Teams International has worked alongside Ukrainians and Moldovans to provide life-saving medical care and mental health support to refugees, displaced people, host communities, and first responders. Below is an overview of the primary ways in which we have served people in crisis in Ukraine and Moldova by equipping and strengthening local partners and health systems.

Mobile Medical Care & Supplies

Through our mobile medical teams, we supported 6,956 medical consultations with Ukrainians in conflict-affected areas and in Moldova. Additionally, 2,983 internally displaced people and vulnerable community members received free medication from pharmacies supported by Medical Teams. We also shipped 46 tons of critical medical supplies and equipment to Ukraine and Moldova, which we distributed to local partners.

Medical Teams identified local partners who are actively engaging with the response and using their skills to support the local community. We are providing technical, financial, and in-kind donations to enable their continued response. The All Ukrainian Network PWLWH Kryvyi Rih City (Благодійна організація “МЕРЕЖА” м. Кривий Ріг) is providing emergency medical services in Kherson Oblast, while City Help and Interaction Center (МІСЬКИЙ ЦЕНТР ДОПОМОГИ ТА ВЗАЄМОДІЇ) is supporting displaced families with food, hygiene items, and medications in Odessa Oblast.

Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)

To address the acute mental health needs of Ukrainians who have experienced suffering and loss, Medical Teams has been working to increase access to MHPSS services. Medical Teams is conducting activities in eastern and southern Ukraine with a focus on mental health support in the form of individual and group counseling, mental health awareness training sessions, and social cohesion activities for internally displaced people. Additionally, the response team is conducting mental health training for clinical staff and volunteers. Medical Teams also supported an eastern Ukraine residential psychiatric unit (from Luhansk) that has been evacuated and re-established in western Ukraine.

Providing Power & Heat

In response to the damage done by missile strikes on power systems in Ukraine, Medical Teams and our partners have distributed 110 generators, as well as blankets and non-food items purchased or donated to Medical Teams. Fourteen generators have been procured and distributed to health facilities in Kherson Oblast. In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Medical Teams distributed 96 generators to primary health care facilities (covering a catchment population of 1,004,658 people). These generators help provide lights and the ability to run medical testing equipment and heaters during power cuts.

Moldova Milestones

Moldova, the second poorest nation in Europe, is one of many countries that has experienced a large influx of Ukrainian refugees in the past year. Medical Teams began working in Moldova in March of 2022, providing medical care and mental health support to refugees and host communities, as well as training for first responders such as border patrol. As needs and circumstances have changed in recent months in Moldova, Medical Teams will soon be ceasing its activities in the country to focus on Ukraine.

In Appreciation

“Medical Teams would like to acknowledge the strength and resolve of the Ukrainians we have served with to improve access to critically needed medical care and supplies,” said Martha Holley Newsome, Medical Teams President & CEO. “In the past year, many individuals, corporations, foundations, and churches have put their concern and compassion into action. Needs remain high in Ukraine, however. Your continued support will help bring healing to conflict survivors in Ukraine or in one of the other countries in which Medical Teams serves people in crisis. Thank you sincerely for your generosity.”

Medical Teams’ Ukraine response has been supported by Covenant World Relief & Development, Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette, The Partners Group, Ltd., Cambia Health Solutions Foundation, The Clark Foundation, Providence Health & Services – OR, A-dec Inc., GloryBee, Vtech Electronics, Solares Family Fund of Oregon Community Foundation, Nautilus, Inc., and many others.

About Medical Teams International

Founded in 1979, Medical Teams International provides life-saving medical care for people in crisis, such as survivors of natural disasters and refugees. We care for the whole person— physical, emotional, social and spiritual. Daring to love like Jesus, we serve all people—regardless of religion, nationality, sex or race. Learn more at medicalteams.org and on social media using @medicalteams.

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