Without the help of pharmacist Yuliia, patient Olha would remain cut off from the outside world and would have to go without vital medication. Info Without the help of pharmacist Yuliia, patient Olha would remain cut off from the outside world and would have to go without vital medication. Ukraine In focus Ukraine: Strong women on a live-saving mission Close-up 15 April 2026 After four years of war against Russia, Ukraine has endured an especially harsh winter. Brave women like Yuliia, Mariia and Viktoria delivered vital medicines — even during this time — to villages near the front, right to patients’ bedsides. But the resources for this work are becoming increasingly scarce. Even before the war between Russia and Ukraine, it was not common for general practitioners to travel to the villages regularly for house visits. Perhaps every one or two months people could hope for medical help – if it wasn’t already far too late by then. With the daily threat of drone attacks and power outages, the situation has worsened even further. Yuliia, Mariia and Viktoria take risks Pharmacist Yuliia, doctor Mariia and nurse Viktoria refuse to accept this situation. What unites them — and what is especially striking — is their persistence in helping sick people even when they have to put themselves in danger to do so. "As a displaced person, I know what it feels like when your life no longer belongs to you. I am grateful that I am able to do this work. I can see here that the help is reaching people." Yuliia Head pharmacist in the social pharmacy of our partner Your City, Odesa Only hope after a harsh winter "The long winter of war, with its power outages, has worsened many chronic illnesses," warns the young doctor Mariia. She and her colleagues have become, in the midst of the war in Ukraine, the last connection to the outside world for many people — as in the case of Olha. The elderly woman had both legs amputated. Reaching a doctor on her own, let alone obtaining life‑saving medication, is impossible for someone bedridden. Left alone in the hallway, her only hope is pharmacist Yuliia, who brings the medication directly to her bedside. Social pharmacy of our partner Your City: a lifeline in the war zone The international charitable foundation Your City is a partner of action medeor in Ukraine. A team of medical professionals — doctors, pharmacists like Yuliia, and volunteers — provides medical, pharmaceutical and psychological support to Ukrainian civilians in the midst of the war. Your City operates a social pharmacy in Odesa in southern Ukraine. Here, people receive essential medicines free of charge and, after traumatic experiences, psychological support as well. action medeor supplies the social pharmacy regularly with medicines from the warehouse in Tönisvorst. Shortage of medicines, lab tests and mobile clinics The three Ukrainian women are there when it matters, meeting people every day who eagerly await their visit. Many of them do not even know that they are already in acute danger and suffering from serious illnesses. Without the right medication, laboratory tests and mobile clinics, these conditions can become life‑threatening. "The situation is worsening month by month" Even though much has already been achieved in Ukraine thanks to your support, people on the ground still urgently depend on your donations. "By now, everyone is exhausted and focused on securing basic human needs, without any clear idea of the near future," Mariia emphasizes. Without doctors like Mariia, who works with our partner Farwater’s mobile team, many patients in rural and front‑line villages would have to go without medical care in the midst of the war. The social pharmacy run by our partner Your City has become a lifeline for many Ukrainians. Pharmacists like Yuliia are the only connection to the outside world for many people. Diagnostics are vital for many sick patients. Nurses like Viktoria ensure that far more people receive medical examinations and care before it is too late. 1 2 3 Your donation makes the difference!