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Stamford, Conn. – March 2, 2022 – Americares has an emergency response team on the way to Poland to support health services for families affected by the escalating humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. The team, which is headed to Krakow, has expertise in coordinating large-scale shipments of medicine and relief supplies and mobilizing emergency medical teams in crisis situations.
“We’re focused on meeting the health needs of families caught in the violence and those fleeing Ukraine,” said Americares Vice President of Emergency Programs Kate Dischino. “There’s an urgent need for medicine and medical supplies as well as basic relief items to protect health. At the same time, Ukraine is battling rapidly rising COVID-19 infections and a polio outbreak. It’s a humanitarian crisis with immense health needs and we’re ready to help.”
The Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24 prompted a mass exodus of families, including many women and children seeking safety in neighboring countries. At least 677,000 people have already fled Ukraine, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency, and hundreds of thousands more are expected to leave Ukraine in the coming days. Inside Ukraine major damage to infrastructure has left many families without clean water, electricity, food and other essential items and the United Nations estimates more than 100,000 are newly displaced, adding to the 1.5 million internally displaced since 2014.
Americares is prepared to deliver medicine, medical supplies, emergency funding and relief items to the region and has activated its roster of staff and volunteer medical professionals in the event they are needed to provide surge support in neighboring countries. Staffed by physicians, nurses and other medical professionals, Americares medical teams provide primary care services, emergency treatment for injuries and as well as mental health and psychosocial support services to help survivors cope with stress and trauma. Americares is working closely with the World Health Organization, regional health authorities, and international, national and local response organizations in Ukraine and neighboring countries to ensure a coordinated response to the crisis.
Americares has a long history of providing support to refugees and migrants, including supporting health services for families fleeing the humanitarian crises in Syria and Venezuela.
And Americares has worked in Eastern Europe for decades, delivering more than $1 billion in aid to the region, including $120 million in medicine and supplies for Ukraine. Americares also donates medicines and medical supplies to U.S.-based medical professionals traveling to Ukraine to provide care for patients in need.
Americares responds to more than 30 natural disasters and humanitarian crises worldwide each year, establishes long-term recovery projects and brings preparedness programs to communities vulnerable to disasters. Since its founding more than 40 years ago, Americares has provided more than $20 billion in aid to 164 countries, including the United States.
Donations to Americares Ukraine Crisis Fund will support its response to the emergency. To donate, go to americares.org/ukraine