Press action medeor

Since February 24, 2022, hardly a day has passed in the medication warehouse of action medeor in Tönisvorst on the Lower Rhine without a relief shipment being packed for the suffering people in Ukraine. Nearly 1,000 tons of medical supplies worth over 12 million euros have been sent to Ukraine by the "Emergency Pharmacy of the World," as action medeor is also called — more than ever before to a single country.

"The relief effort for Ukraine is the largest in the 60-year history of our aid organization," summarizes Markus Bremers, press officer of action medeor. He has personally traveled to the war-torn country several times since 2022. Action medeor not only supplies around 180 hospitals across Ukraine but also implements several humanitarian projects in the southeastern part of the country in collaboration with local partners. "We are active with our partners in the cities of Odessa, Mykolaiv, and Kherson, as well as in surrounding villages, some of which are close to the front lines," Bremers explains. "In this region, we provide people with drinking water, heating materials, and hot meals, organize the free distribution of medications to those in need, and take care of the psychological support for children and adults affected by the war," Bremers lists action medeor's activities. "In Mykolaiv alone, since the first winter of the war, we have distributed around 250,000 hot meals and over 1.2 million loaves of bread, and our social pharmacies have recorded nearly 90,000 patient contacts during this time."

However, this aid is increasingly provided under significant dangers. "Back in July 2023, when the Kakhovka Dam near Kherson exploded, flooding entire areas, our helpers came under fire," Bremers recalls. Then, in August of this year, action medeor had to mourn losses. "Two colleagues from our Ukrainian partner organization were killed in a drone attack while attempting to fill a drinking water tank," reports Bremers. Since then, the security situation for helpers has worsened even further.

"Our partners have recently reported an intense increase in the shelling of civilian facilities and critical infrastructure," says Bremers. In October, the number of air and drone attacks doubled compared to previous months. "This has resulted in even more people being left without supplies, and many are forced to flee," Bremers describes. While regular attacks occur in Kherson and Mykolaiv, the area around Odessa had been a region where many sought refuge in the past. "It was relatively safe here until last year, but that has changed too," reports Bremers. "Just a few days ago, a missile landed only a few hundred meters from our social pharmacy in Odessa — there were injuries and casualties. Fortunately, our team was unharmed and is now assisting the victims of the missile strike."

Not only the worsening security situation but also the dropping temperatures are taking a toll on the civilian population. "The winter will be tough for the people in Ukraine," Bremers predicts. "Many cannot heat their homes, have no water or electricity, and cannot cook or wash. Additionally, a worsening social situation means that many cannot afford their medications — even those they urgently need." Action medeor has therefore already begun organizing winter aid weeks ago and continues the distribution of medications without interruption. "The support is urgently needed now," says Bremers.

In light of this, action medeor continues to call for donations for the people of Ukraine. Those who wish to support the work of action medeor can donate online at www.medeor.de/spenden and leave their address there for a donation receipt. Alternatively, donations can be made via IBAN DE78320500000000009993 at Sparkasse Krefeld, donation keyword: "Ukraine."

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