As the Russian offensive in Ukraine enters its sixth day, the situation is constantly changing – but we know that the number of civilians injured, killed, and displaced is rapidly growing.
We’ve received a call for assistance from our partners in Poland.
Dr Ram Vadi, UK-Med’s Health Director, and Tom Godfrey, UK-Med’s Humanitarian Operations Director, are travelling to Warsaw to assess and anticipate the emergency health needs caused by the rapidly unfolding humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and its neighbouring countries.
The crisis so far
Already, over half a million people have fled to neighbouring countries; the bulk of whom have travelled to Poland. That’s the equivalent of the entirety of Manchester – in just a matter of days.
“Over the past six days, we have seen reports of thousands of people fleeing their homes in desperation to seek safety. War has no winners. The impact on all those affected will be devastating,” David Wightwick, CEO of UK-Med says.
“That’s why it’s vital we send our advanced team into Poland to urgently assess the situation and how we can best support those most in need as a result of this unfolding crisis. Europe is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe.”
How you can help
This is a UK-Med response and relies entirely on the generosity of supporters like you.
The Polish health system could soon be in overwhelmed by the number of people needing help. We are sending a team out to find out how we can help those most in need. At the moment, we are urgently seeking:
- Donations to our appeal as we ready ourselves for the response
- Sharing and awareness of the work that we do on social media and with your friends and family
Because of the diverse and unique level of expertise and skills from our members, UK-Med’s support could materialise in many ways – from primary healthcare, to trauma surgery.
We will keep you regularly updated with the team’s work through our social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram) and by email.
The situation is rapidly unfolding. If you are able to, please support us with a gift today and help our teams provide emergency health support.
Feature image: The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has been going on for eight years. Over one million Ukrainians have fled the fighting in recent years, with many settling in neighbouring Poland. Pictured: Shyrokyne, Donetsk, in Ukraine, September 2018, which was damaged during the ongoing conflict.
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