6 months of war in Ukraine. 12 million people received humanitarian aid

Money, building materials and medicines and medical services - these are the three most urgent needs reported by the inhabitants of Ukraine in the research of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) [1] . As many as 28% of respondents declare that they lack access to drugs and medical services. The situation is exacerbated by attacks on medical facilities: as of February 24, as many as 459 of them have been reported.

- The needs of Ukrainian medical institutions are enormous. During these few months, the lists of needs changed from several dozen to several thousand items. Starting from the simplest, such as cotton wool and bandages, through beds, to medical equipment such as infusion pumps or respirators - comments Jakub Belina-Brzozowski from the Polish Medical Mission - We are in contact with hospitals, we have delivered supplies to over 50 facilities throughout the country.

The Polish Medical Mission also sent, among others, to our eastern neighbors 5 equipped ambulances or tetanus and diphtheria vaccines. According to UN estimates, the joint efforts of governments, humanitarian organizations and people from all over the world have resulted in humanitarian aid reaching up to 12 million Ukrainian and Ukrainian women. The needs are prosaic: apart from medical help, even food or financial resources for everyday life are provided.

Humanitarian aid is not limited to those who stayed in Ukraine. It is estimated that 6.7 million Ukrainian women seek refuge abroad, and 1,500,000 of them found shelter in Poland. In our country, the aid challenges are definitely different.

- We have to focus on long-term help. There are important issues such as psychological help or language learning for those who, due to the unstable situation, will stay in our country for longer. That is why we have launched Child-Friendly Spaces throughout Poland, which are safe support places for both children and adults - adds Jakub Belina-Brzozowski.

Unfortunately, the end of the war is not in sight. Due to continued military operations, the Ukrainian parliament recently extended the duration of martial law until November 21. Even an end to fighting, however, will not mean the end of the humanitarian crisis. As the examples of Syria and Iraq show, aid will be needed long after the war is over.

Source: PMM