Americares to Deliver 100 Tons of Medical Aid for Ukraine

Stamford, Conn. – April 26, 2022 – Americares announced today it plans to have 100 tons of critically needed medicine and medical supplies delivered to Ukraine, or on the way, within the next 30 days.

The supplies, which include desperately needed antibiotics, life-saving medicines for conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, wound care products and first aid and hygiene supplies, will support health care providers treating children and adults in Ukraine caught in the mounting humanitarian crisis.

“The needs in Ukraine, as well as in Poland and other neighboring countries where millions of refugees have fled, are enormous,” said Americares Director of Complex Humanitarian Emergencies Adam Keehn. “We are committed to meeting these needs in both the short and long term, with the medicine and relief supplies we have already provided making a life-saving difference for those caught in the crisis.”

Already, Americares has shipped over 40 tons of emergency aid to hospitals and health centers in Ukraine, and another 65 tons are scheduled to depart from the organization’s global distribution center in Stamford, Conn., over the next 30 days.

The deliveries include more than 500,000 prescriptions to treat episodic and chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension; more than 100,000 urgently needed medical supplies, including wound care products, first aid items and hygiene kits; 17,000 liters of IV fluids and other life-saving items for health facilities providing care in Ukraine. The supplies will be distributed to more 20 partners organizations throughout the country.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24 prompted a mass exodus of families, including many women and children seeking safety in bordering countries. More than 5 million people have already fled the country, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency, making this the fastest-growing refugee crisis since World War II. At the same time, the International Organization for Migration estimates that 7.7 million people have been internally displaced in Ukraine. In recent weeks, civilian buildings, including hospitals, schools and residential areas, have come under attack, further escalating the crisis. The World Health Organization has recorded more than 160 attacks on health facilities in Ukraine since the start of the conflict.

Americares response to the crisis is focused on delivering medicine and medical supplies and supporting local organizations assisting those displaced by the conflict. To date, Americares has awarded nearly $600,000 in emergency funding to 25 organizations responding in Poland, Romania and Ukraine. Of particular note, the grants include one month of funding for a specialty medical team providing care to pregnant women and children fleeing to Romania.

Americares also plans to provide mental health and psychosocial support training, in topics such as psychological first aid and trauma-informed care, to staff of local organizations in Poland and Ukraine who are assisting refugees and internally displaced populations. The trainings will provide support to staff experiencing compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma.

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

To download Americares shipment b-roll please click HERE.