Sascha Gianella
Hiking for Ukraine
Fundraising for Medecins Sans Frontieres / Doctors Without Borders (MSF)
Story
On Sunday 20 March, I will be hiking one of seven Jura Peaks, a mountain range that extends from France to Neuchâtel, Switzerland, to raise money for Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders, who are working to assist people affected by the invasion of Ukraine.
I will complete an 8-9 hour hike of around 15-18 kms depending upon the ascent / terrain, and ask you to consider supporting me in this cause by donating 1AUD / 1 CHF / 1USD / 1EU per km, or whatever you can contribute. All and any proceeds are greatly appreciated.
Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is the world's leading medical humanitarian aid organisation. They provide emergency assistance to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics and natural or man-made disasters, without discrimination and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation. They work in over 70 countries and go to the places where others cannot or choose not to go.
CURRENT SITUATION 14.03.22
In Ukraine, there is full-scale warfare in many areas, making movements difficult, dangerous or simply impossible.
MSF is in contact with hospitals that are receiving patients wounded as a result of the fighting. The conflict is putting a huge amount of pressure on health facilities that have limited staff and supplies; many hospitals are facing shortages. It is difficult to find medical and other crucial supplies in the country, as these are in high demand to meet the needs of so many patients.
In eastern Ukraine, some hospitals have reported that they have treated dozens of wounded people at times. Hospitals also report shortages of medications to treat people with chronic diseases, such as insulin for patients with diabetes.
The city of Mariupol is currently surrounded and subject to heavy shelling. Shops are no longer open; there is no heating or electricity. Pharmacies have run out of medicine. Most worryingly, there is no access to clean water. Over three days (5, 6 and 7 March) a ceasefire was agreed to each day to allow civilians to move out of the city safely; each time the ceasefire failed. The situation in the city is growing increasingly desperate.
In southern Ukraine, the health system has already been disrupted by the war. Significantly, supplies are running low at many hospitals. MSF teams in Odessa report that the city is preparing for attack and siege.
Over 2.1 million people have been forced to leave Ukraine, while many others are displaced within the country.
MSF RESPONSE
They are in contact with hospitals across the country. Many of them are desperately in need of supplies to treat war-wounded and provide ongoing care for patients with chronic diseases and other conditions. MSF has now donated most medical supplies they had in the country; additional supplies have begun to arrive. The current response includes:
- Rushing new cargo shipments of emergency medical supplies to Ukraine;
- Donating supplies to Kyiv hospitals to treat war-wounded and deal with mass casualty incidents (a large number of patients arriving at the same time);
- In Lviv, teams are training hospitals to deal with mass casualty incidents and to treat war wounds;
- In Odessa, are helping hospitals to prepare to take care of wounded by providing training, support for triage, and patient stabilisation;
- Sending experienced emergency and specialist medical staff to Ukraine to support our existing teams;
- Supporting hospitals and doctors remotely, including through providing training on trauma care, and via telemedicine means.
MSF is working to rapidly scale up the medical and humanitarian response in various parts of the country, and neighbouring countries assisting the refugees, based on where they see the greatest need and the best opportunity for their assistance to have a significant impact.