It has already been two years since the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Russia-Ukraine war is an exhausting conflict we do not want to ignore. The whole world has changed over the past two years. The “third world war in pieces” that Pope Francis has denounced over and over has now gone global with an additional, tragic conflict in the Middle East.
Someone may wonder “What is the point in commemorating the anniversary of the Russian invasion when numerous more atrocitites are being committed in the world?” The point is that we do not want to get used to it, we do not want to go blind in front of the human violence and brutality. On the contrary, we want to be aware of the world we are building and that next generations will inherit. To date, 59 armed conflicts are ongoing worldwide. Many of these are set in Africa. They all bring death, suffering and destruction. This is what we still witness in Ukraine. Two years after the outbreak of the war, it is the civilians who bear the burnt while the conflict has no signs of ceasing.
According to the latest data, 18 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance (49% of the entire population) of which 5.12 million are refugees (about 35% of the population). 60% of the refugees are women, 27% are under 18 and 48% are people with disability.
Behind the figures, there are people and their lives that have driven CUAMM intervention in the country since the beginning of the conflict. Together with local communities, associations like VRB and civil society’s representatives, we have been working to help those in need. To date, CUAMM supports 30 health facilities in 6 Oblast by purchasing and shipping drugs, consumables and biomedical equipment; distributing food and essential goods, hygiene kit while also offering psychological support to refugees and training to health workers with a specific focus on disaster risk reduction and first aid. Without failing to mention a specific training on mental health and gender based violence. These are the main activities CUAMM is carrying out in Ukraine.
In figures: 5 project implemented; 3 warehouses stocked; 2.7 million of aid granted to distribute 2.340 medical kit; donate 4 ambulances and 1 mobile clinic; support 66 health facilities and local NGOs; reach 12 oblasts in 2 years. Over the intervention, we have assisted 17.042 refugees and 6.700 families, we have offered psychological support to more than 1.068 people and delivered 6.700 food kits.
CUAMM commitment has also reached the neighbouring Moldova. Since the beginning of the conflict, about 1 million people have sought refuge in the country which is one of the most fragile in Europe. In order to support the national health system and address the needs of both the local population and the refugees, CUAMM have started its intervention in April 2022 by offering medical care within the RACs and in some health centres on the Ukranian border; delivering basic goods to women and children and offering training on neonatal emergencies to local health workers in 8 facilities across the country. Trainings and meetings on mental health to refugees and hosting communities are now being added to the ongoing acitivities.
«It has already been two year since the start of the conflict, – said Antonio Zardini, project manager in Ukraine – CUAMM is ensuring its presence on the ground to support those who need it most.Thanks to the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, we will be able to renew the activities launched two years ago: psychological support to families displaced in the west; healthcare logistics assistance to the fron line facilities; training activities to volunteers and NGOs professionals working with both refugees, displaced and hosting communities. As CUAMM, all we need to nourish our dedication is to see the impact of our intervention on refugees, hosting communities and local health workers. This is what is driving us and it also something we want donors and professionals to be inspired by, because together we can keep supporting the Ukranian population».
CUAMM intervention in Ukraine is continuing thanks to the support from AICS and the collaboration with: Caritas Italiana, Caritas Moldova, Caritas Drohobych Sambir, VRB, VIS e AVSI.
