Kyiv, 8 November 2023 — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, with financial support from the Government of Canada and in partnership with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, handed over five ambulances to centres for emergency medical care and disaster medicine in Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. 

The ambulances are supplied with essential medical equipment, including various types of stretchers, a vacuum mattress, a fracture kit, a neck-collar kit, oxygen cylinders, a defibrillator, a syringe pump, a device for artificial ventilation of the lungs and many more. They are designed to manage a wide range of emergencies. This approach is crucial in a landscape scarred by war and will support medical workers’ ability to respond to emergencies more effectively.

This initiative is part of a broader commitment of UNDP in Ukraine and the Government of Canada to enhance the resilience of health care services in Ukrainian communities affected by the war. Following the donation of 10 B-class vehicles earlier this year, this additional provision of five C-class ambulances, valued at around US$420,000 in total, represents an important investment into the health and well-being of those at risk during these difficult times.

Viktor Liashko, Minister of Health of Ukraine, expressed his gratitude to international partners for their reliable support and emphasized the importance of developing Ukraine's health care system. “In the context of the full-scale war, it is crucial to ensure the availability of medical care throughout Ukraine. The ambulances delivered today will be sent to the regions where they are needed the most, which are subject to constant attacks including regular targeted destruction of medical infrastructure,” he said. “I thank our international partners for strengthening emergency medical services. This will enable our heroic doctors to save even more lives.”

Natalka Cmoc, Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine, emphasized the importance of working together and the Government of Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine. “The resilience of the Ukrainian people is remarkable, and Canada stands with you in your time of need,” she said. “We are dedicated to strengthening Ukraine's recovery, ensuring that these mobile units for emergency assistance can reach people and serve as vital support. With our sustained partnership, we aim to amplify emergency medical capabilities in Ukraine.”

Jaco Cilliers, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, underscored the crucial importance of access to health care, a fundamental human right compromised by the ongoing war. “Amidst the destruction caused by the war in Ukraine, UNDP is deeply committed to ensuring that essential health care is accessible to all in need,” he said. “Thanks to the Government of Canada, we have supplied ambulances to communities’ medical teams, aiding them in their essential work. We are grateful for the support from the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the Government of Canada, which has been integral to these efforts.”

Background

The vehicles were procured and equipped by UNDP in Ukraine, in partnership with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, under the Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme, with financial support from the Government of Canada.

Media enquiries: Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org