Press Statement: Russian Strike Damages Project HOPE Warehouse in Ukraine

Posted: May 8, 2023

Washington, DC (8 May 2023) –Russian missile attacks in both the Odesa and Kherson regions last night severely damaged two different warehouses storing humanitarian aid supplies for the global health and humanitarian aid organization Project HOPE. The regions of Kyiv and Kharkiv – where Project HOPE has offices and widespread programming – were also targeted by Russian strikes over the weekend. Fortunately, none of Project HOPE’s staff was injured and programs will continue with increased security considerations. 

Giorgio Trombatore, Project HOPE’s Country Director in Ukraine, said:  

“The people of Ukraine experienced a real-life nightmare this weekend as Russian attacks ramped up in the Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, and Kherson regions, endangering the lives of innocent civilians. In Odesa and in Kherson, two different warehouses storing Project HOPE’s humanitarian aid supplies – including generators and health and hygiene kits – were severely damaged. We are very fortunate to report that none of our staff were injured. We are currently awaiting access to the area to assess the extent of the damage. While the increase in attacks create additional security considerations, Project HOPE is committed to continuing to operate its programs to support the health needs of the Ukrainian people.”  

Project HOPE has been working in Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February 2022, supporting health clinics with supplies and medicines, reconstructing medical facilities, training health workers, and providing mental health support to those impacted by the war. Additionally, Project HOPE has been operating in the neighboring countries of Moldova, Poland, and Romania to ensure that Ukrainian refugees – particularly women, children, and the elderly – have access to primary care and mental health support. In recent months, Project HOPE teams have expanded closer to the frontlines to distribute emergency drinking water, operate mobile medical units, and to assess emerging needs.  

Project HOPE’s response activities to date:  

  • Providing humanitarian aid to 276 health facilities and centers for internally displaced people 
  • Delivering medicines, medical supplies, hygiene kits, and generators across 23 oblasts  
  • Operating 16 mobile medical units, providing 97,537 primary health care consultations  
  • Providing mental health consultations to more than 26,884 people  
  • Training 3,523 health care workers in 80 facilities with trainings in trauma care, mental health, sexual and gender-based violence, and other skills 
  • Renovating 12 facilities in Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Sumy oblasts  
  • Supporting 3,973 patients with gender-based violence response services  
  • Delivering emergency drinking water to Kherson and Mykolaiv oblasts, providing 84,000 bottles of clean drinking water to 12,211 Ukrainians  

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Access photos with caption and credit information here. To schedule an interview, please contact Courtney Ridgway: media@projecthope.org 

About Project HOPE
Founded in 1958, Project HOPE is a leading global health and humanitarian organization operating in more than 25 countries around the world. We work side-by-side with local health systems to save lives and improve health. Our mission is at the epicenter of today’s greatest health challenges, including infectious and chronic diseases, disasters and health crises, maternal, neonatal and child health and the policies that impact how health care is delivered. For more information on Project HOPE and its work around the world, visit www.ProjectHOPE.org and follow us on Twitter @ProjectHOPEorg.