The Canadian Anglican Church’s relief and development fund, PWRDF, has added a third implementing partner working in Ukraine to alleviate the suffering of people in the war-ravaged country. Initiative E+ will receive $62,000 to purchase medical supplies that will be used to treat wounded civilians.
As of April 1, PWRDF donors have given almost $400,000 to Ukraine relief. This response comes on the heels of a $100,000 allocation to ACT Alliance working with Hungarian Interchurch Aid, and $50,000 to HelpAge Canadaworking with seniors fleeing to safety in Moldova. More responses are being researched and planned.
Since 2014, the non-governmental organization Initiative E+ has been spearheading medical and social humanitarian projects in and around Kyiv and in Eastern Ukraine. Donations from all around the world have enabled them to provide medicine and equipment to both civilian and military hospitals, first aid kits and PPE to first responders and activities and camps for children living near war zones.
As a result of the Russian invasion which began on February 24, 2022, the need has become acute for medical supplies and equipment for first responders and hospitals treating the wounded. The number of injured people requiring medical care has increased tenfold, and 75% of those injured are civilians.
“Ukrainians are doing everything they can to help their own communities during this difficult time,” says Patricia Maruschak, PWRDF’s Director of Partnerships and Programs. “The staff of Initiative E+ have been supporting medical needs since the first Russian invasion in 2014. They remain in Kyiv and are working closely with doctors, medics and first responders who know exactly what supplies and support are most needed. I’m very proud that PWRDF is able to help Initiative E+ meet the urgent medical needs identified by those working on the front lines.”
Despite the outpourting of humanitarian aid, it does not often include the items most needed. For example, in the last month alone, Initiative E+ has purchased external fixation devices for keeping fractured bones stabilized and immobilized; tactical medical supplies for first responders; medical equipment for hospitals and medicine.
Working in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Initiative E+ is currently supplying hospitals and first responders in Kyiv, Kyiv Oblast, Chernihiv, Kharkiv and Mykolaiv, which are among the cities subjected to the most serious attacks by Russian forces in Eastern Ukraine. PWRDF funds will help finance medical needs, specifically:
general medicine for the civilian population
equipment for hospitals and medical centres needed to respond to the large numbers of wounded
PPE and medical supplies for Ukrainian military personnel and first responders.
How you can help
Please continue to keep the people of Ukraine and all parts of the world where there is great humanitarian need in your prayers. To make a donation to this response, click here, or to support any of our emergency relief efforts, go to pwrdf.org/give-today and click on Emergency Response. You may also donate by phone at 416-822-9083 or leave a voicemail toll-free at 1-866-308-7973 and we will return your call, or mail your cheque to PWRDF, 80 Hayden, 3rd floor, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 3G2.
St. Leonard, Rockingham — Deanery of the Northwest