Medics flying to Ukraine to join Manchester frontline charity’s efforts - and how to donate to support them

Medics are flying out to Ukraine to support a Manchester frontline medical charity as it continues to support those suffering due to the Russian invasion of the country.

UK-Med is sending a team of nine NHS doctors, nurses and logistics specialists to the war-torn country to join the nine-strong team already working there.

The charity is in the process of setting up a static and mobile health clinic in Drohobych, one hour south of the city of Lviv in the west of Ukraine.

The medics have spoken about why they are heading out to Ukraine and using their skills to support people injured or forced to flee their homes by the brutal outbreak of violence.

What work is UK-Med doing in Ukraine?

UK-Med is working with Greek Catholic charity Caritas Ukraine to set up a health facility that will care for the 15,000 internally displaced people – mainly women, children and the elderly – who have taken up shelter in Drohobych.

With the city’s population being roughly 75,000, the influx has put considerable strain on resources and services.

For many of the thousands fleeing from the east of Ukraine it has become a major stop-off point on the way to the border, while others are remaining there permanently.

In Drohobych 15 schools have been converted into temporary accommodation.

Currently there are good supplies of water and food, but with multiple families sharing what were once classrooms, UK-Med says the likelihood of infections spreading is high.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reports that there are now 6.5 million displaced people spread across Ukraine.

What have those heading out to Ukraine said?

Countess of Chester emergency medicine nurse Lorraine Lloyd is one of six who were flying from Manchester Airport early on Wednesday morning (23 March).

She said: “I’ve joined UK-Med because I’m passionate to get involved in humanitarian work and the gravity of this situation is unprecedented.

“I feel a little bit of trepidation given where we’re going but I’m delighted to be part of the response.

“My mother was very tearful when she heard I was going, but she’s elderly. My other half and family and friends have been very proud and nothing but encouraging.”

What has UK-Med said?

UK-Med says it is working with local authorities and health providers in Ukraine to offer general medical care to Drohobych’s rapidly-growing population.

This will include paediatric, maternal and geriatric care and infection control.

UK-Med is able to provide both general healthcare and surgery to people finding themselves on the front lines of war.

UK-Med CEO David Wightwick, who is also in Ukraine supporting the assessment team, said: “We’re proud to deliver primary health care to the desperate women, children and elderly fleeing their homes in the east, but who are still in Ukraine.  

“As the conflict continues, many more people will be flooding across the country from war zones.

“It’s essential we continue our health needs assessments in the west and central areas of the country.

“UK-Med is committed to delivering healthcare to the people who have either been injured in the conflict or who are simply not well enough or have the means to make the journey across the borders.”

Can I help UK-Med’s work?

At the start of the Ukraine war UK-Med launched an emergency appeal for funding and asked residents to help support its work.

Donations are still being collected and anyone who wants to donate to the work providing healthcare to Ukrainian people can do so by going to the UK-Med website.