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After Six Months of War, Project HOPE’s Impact in Ukraine Grows

Russia's invasion of Ukraine upended the lives of millions of Ukrainians and touched off a massive humanitarian emergency. Six months later, Project HOPE is still on the ground in and around Ukraine, responding to the most urgent health needs.

Posted: August 23, 2022

Six months of shelling. Air raid sirens. Families divided. Civilians killed.

Six months of bombings. Border crossings. Hospitals shattered. Cities destroyed.

It’s been six months of horror in Ukraine as Russia’s invasion on February 24 has spiraled into a humanitarian catastrophe with no end in sight.

For Project HOPE’s teams in and around Ukraine, it’s also been six months of intense dedication and work delivering urgent humanitarian relief to Ukrainians who need it most.

Project HOPE began shipping essential medicines and medical supplies into Ukraine just days after Russia first invaded in February. In the months since, our response has grown into a highly coordinated, comprehensive humanitarian response to the crisis. Our teams are on the ground today in Ukraine, Poland, Romania, and Moldova actively delivering medicines, medical supplies, mental health support, trauma care trainings, and other urgent assistance.

In the last six months, Project HOPE has delivered hundreds of pallets of gravely needed medicines and medical supplies inside Ukraine, including trauma supplies, insulin, needles, hygiene kits, and more. Outside Ukraine, our multi-country refugee response is helping refugees access the medical care they need, including mental health support.

In all areas of our response, Project HOPE has endeavored to promote the localization of aid through collaboration, partnership, and strengthening the capacity of local, non-governmental organizations. We remain committed to this approach as our response grows and evolves in order to support sustainable solutions and promote more resilient communities.

Here are six numbers that tell the story of Project HOPE’s impact six months into this emergency.

91

The number of health facilities Project HOPE has supported in Ukraine

Project HOPE has delivered more than 300 pallets of urgent relief to date, including pharmaceuticals to 82 health facilities, medical consumables to 78 facilities, surgical supplies to 19 facilities, generators to 16 facilities, and medical equipment to 11 health facilities. We have also rehabilitated multiple hospitals and health facilities that were damaged by rockets and shelling across Ukraine.

A surgeon in Ukraine uses sutures donated by Project HOPE — A doctor performs cardiac transplant surgery with specialty cardiac sutures provided by Project HOPE in Lviv, Ukraine, on March 12, 2022. Project HOPE is resupplying hospitals across Ukraine with badly needed medical supplies. Photo by James Buck for Project HOPE, 2022.

$4.7 million

The total value of pharmaceuticals and medical commodities Project HOPE has delivered

Project HOPE has delivered urgent medicines and medical supplies inside Ukraine since the start of our response. Some of the supplies come bundled together in large deliveries like Interagency Emergency Health Kits, Essential Health Packs, Trauma and Emergency Surgery Kits, and hygiene kits. Other deliveries include urgent donations of antibiotics, anesthesia, and insulin. Whatever the need, Project HOPE teams are working daily to deliver the support Ukraine’s frontline health workers need most.

2,959

The number of Ukrainian refugee children who have received direct care in Poland

Project HOPE is supporting the medical needs of Ukrainian refugees across Poland, Moldova, and Romania. In Poland, that support includes care for children, including direct patient care for nearly 3,000 kids. Project HOPE has supported Poland’s health care system for nearly 50 years—we were one of the first organizations to have a team on the ground in Poland at the start of the war and continue to work with University Children’s Hospital in Krakow to meet the needs of Ukrainian refugees, including the opening of a mental health and psychosocial support center for refugees.

child waves to man in hospital — Mikhaila and her daughter Tamara, 5, a pediatric oncology patient at the University Children’s Hospital in Krakow. Mikhaila and Tamara fled the war in Ukraine and are seeking safety in Poland. Photo by James Buck for Project HOPE, 2022.

4

The number of mobile medical units Project HOPE is operating inside Ukraine

When health infrastructure has been damaged, mobile medical units are a critical tool to provide care to people who need it urgently. Project HOPE is currently operating four mobile medical units across Ukraine that have treated more than 4,000 patients in a matter of months. These mobile medical units are absolutely critical in eastern Ukraine, especially for older residents. Older Ukrainians are a highly vulnerable target population in this crisis: they have compound health issues and are often immobile and isolated. The war has made it even harder for them to visit doctors and access the care they need. Project HOPE’s mobile medical teams are making it possible for Ukrainians of all ages—but especially older citizens—to address their physical and mental health issues amid the backdrop of war.

> READ MORE: Day in the Life: Ukraine

Man standing outside Project HOPE mobile clinic — Yuri, 82, tears up talking about his son who died in the war, and his other son and nephew who are still fighting. Yuri wanted to fight but the army wouldn’t take him. He was able to receive medical care at a mobile medical unit operated by Project HOPE. Photo by James Buck for Project HOPE, 2022.

8,400

The number of people who have received mental health support or services

The war in Ukraine is taking a heavy toll on the mental health of Ukraine’s people, especially refugees who have had to flee to safety and children who have had to endure the violence and displacement.

Project HOPE has partnered with local organizations in Poland, Moldova, and Romania to meet the growing mental health needs among refugees. In partnership with a local Moldovan organization, Project HOPE is increasing mental health support for refugee children and caregivers by implementing integrated measures of education and creating eight safe spaces for children in Chișinău, Anenii Noi, Călărași, Cimișlia, Criuleni, and Hâncești districts. We’re also partnering with multiple local organizations in Romania to provide vital mental health care to Ukrainian refugees in Bucharest, Galati, Iasi, Radauti, and Somcuta Mare.

a clown playing with children — In Moldova, Project HOPE partner The Moldova Project is providing mental health and psychosocial services to Ukrainian refugee children who have had to flee home. Project HOPE has partnered with organizations across Moldova, Romania, and Poland to provide mental health care for thousands of refugee children. Photo courtesy The Moldova Project, 2022.

1.25 million

The number of people Project HOPE will reach in the coming year

Project HOPE is committed to providing urgent humanitarian assistance in Ukraine for as long as it takes. While our work continues to grow and evolve based on the most urgent needs, recent support from the USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance will ensure that our work over the next 12 months will reach at least 1.25 million people and 24 health facilities across Ukraine.

How you can help

Make a lifesaving gift to support our work now and for the future at projecthope.org/donate

Are you a health-care or other professional who would like to learn more about volunteering abroad with Project HOPE? Learn more about our volunteer program and join our volunteer roster.

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