Americares this week announced it will deliver 100 tons of critically needed medicine and medical supplies to Ukraine.
The Stamford, Connecticut-based health-focused relief and development organization said the shipment will support healthcare providers who are treating children and adults affected by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. The supplies include antibiotics, medicines for conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, wound care products and first aid and hygiene supplies.
“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.”
Americares has so far shipped over 40 tons of emergency aid and has 65 tons scheduled to depart from its global distribution center over the next 30 days. The organization has also awarded nearly $600,000 in emergency funding to 25 organizations responding in Poland, Romania and Ukraine.
In addition to the more than 500,000 prescription medicines and 100,000 urgently needed medical supplies, the organization is sending 17,000 liters of IV fluids and other life-saving items to health facilities in Ukraine. The supplies will be distributed to more than 20 partner organizations, according to Americares.
Several medical device companies have donated supplies to Americares and other humanitarian organizations since February to support Ukraine relief efforts following Russia’s invasion. The World Health Organization has delivered about 300 metric tons of medical supplies to support the most critically affected areas in the region, which included a recent delivery of 78 metric tons of intravenous medication and fluids for emergency medical care, essential medicines and trauma and surgical supplies, according to a WHO external situation report.