Nurses from across the world serving & supporting the Ukrainian people
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Compiled by Deva-Marie Beck, PhD, RN, NIGH's Editor-in-Chief
This webpage has been developed to feature stories about nurses — from across the world — who are now supporting the urgent needs of Ukrainian people. Since the beginning of the brutal war against Ukraine, nurses have exemplified the care and compassion required of all humanity during this chaotic time and into the future.
At the top right, we feature two of the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that are here highlighted global goals sorely needed to help the Ukrainian people to again enjoy health and well-being at all levels. On the right, we are featuring a song calling for peace within and because of fields of sunflowers — Ukraine's national flower. We reflect upon the peace that will eventually — indeed — MUST come. Below we have curated several initiatives — some global and some local — all highlighting what nurses seek to do for others in their times of need. And, to complete this webpage, we are featuring ways for you to be involved as well — knowing that most of us are wondering how to contribute what we can share — in care, time, energy and funding. We close with a constant prayer for the health and well-being of humanity — especially now for the Ukrainian people wherever they may be — and for everyone, worldwide, who is seeking to support and care for them during this phenomenal time of human compassion. |
SDG Logos used with attribution >>>
“Embracing our deep historical ties, and, in many cases, our roots in both Ukraine and Poland, Canadians have stepped up and have shown considerable sympathy for the Ukrainian people and have expressed a desire to help through their immense generosity.”
Valerie J. Rzepka, NP-PHC, BScN, MSc, DLSHTM >>> Co-Founder & Executive Director, CMAT |
The ICN Launches Social Media Campaign
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) has recently hosted a special webinar with European nurse leaders bringing together nursing groups to discuss the crisis in Ukraine. Several Ukrainian nurse leaders joined the meeting from the basements of their hospitals. Participants voiced their solidarity and support for the nurses and people of Ukraine in a message of unity from nurses around the world. Following the meeting, ICN, the European Federation of Nurses Associations (EFN) and the European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Associations (EFNNMA) issued a joint statement strongly condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the disruption to health services and the attacks on healthcare facilities and innocent civilians. ICN, EFN and EFNNMA are calling for an immediate ceasefire, an end to all hostilities and for the commencement of intensified diplomatic negotiations to secure peace. You can join — in solidarity with them — here >>>
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CMAT Serves in Poland & Ukraine The Canadian Media Assistance Teams (CMAT) — involving volunteer health professionals from across Canada — has deployed nurses with all-important medical supplies and as skilled healthcare providers to the Polish / Ukrainian border. With the keen support of the Registered Nurses of Ontario (RNAO), this humanitarian effort has stepped up to help the hundreds of thousands of people who have fled Ukraine since the current brutal war against this nation began in February of 2022.
Since the Ukraine conflict began a whole host of fundraisers and material donation drives — to help the Ukrainian people — have sprung up, with many focusing on immediate needs for refugees such as food, water, warm clothing, shelter and sanitary products. But healthcare sometimes gets overlooked in the minds of the general public. But this is important — to get such medical equipment and supplies to where they are needed.
You can make a tax deductible donation to the CMAT emergency appeal on CanadaHelps here >>>
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“I’m not scared of bombs. I’m not scared of war.
I became a nurse for a reason.” Gilbert Kolbe, Polish Nurse serving with CMAT >>>
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San Antonio Indian Nurses Association Helping
The San Antonio Indian Nurses Association has generously donated to Ukrainian San Antonio — a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to: preserve Ukrainian heritage; promote a greater
understanding of Ukrainian history and under- |
standing of Ukrainian history and culture; encourage active participation of Ukrainian Americans in promoting the welfare of Ukrainian community; initiate and uphold ties with other Ukrainians, Americans, and international organizations for educational and charitable purposes; and to provide charitable assistance to Ukrainians within and outside the United States.
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UK Nurse Supports ZSR
Describing this work as "phenomenal," Liberty Rose, a student nurse from the University of Portsmouth, helped crowdfund £25,000 of medical supplies for Zintegrowana Sluzba Ratownicza (ZSR). She arrived at the non-governmental organisation's warehouse to met the team serving 2,500 people.
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Liberty Rose (far right) with volunteers from Zintegrowana Sluzba Ratownicza (ZSR)
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A Photojournalism
Feature from CNN This feature provides an in-depth look at the severe challenges facing Ukrainain nurses as they seek to serve their people during this crisis. See >>>
Nurse Lilia Schwez making house calls in village of Trokhizbenka, Ukraine
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Used with appreciation from https://nurse.org/articles/nurses-help-ukraine/
How You Can Help Ukraine as a Nurse
Republished with appreciation to Nurse.org >>>
Authored by Kathleen Gaines News & Education Editor, MSN, RN, BA, CBC How to Volunteer in Ukraine & Surrounding Countries
The following organizations are currently accepting applications (as well as donations) for medical missions to Ukraine. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. Notably, there is a very large need for healthcare professionals who speak Ukrainian, Russian, or other related languages. If you so apply and are not picked, you are urged not
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to become discouraged. All of the below organizations also have medical missions to other parts of the world that are also in desperate need of medical volunteers. Reach out to representatives from the organizations to find additional volunteer opportunities.
While not all of the organizations below are directly working within Ukrainian, many are supporting neighboring countries that are working tirelessly to provide safety to the refugees as well as medical care.
Make sure to do adequate research when determining where to donate
your time and money. Here are some tips to keep in mind,
- International Medical Corps
- At least six years of experience
- Two years of experience in low-resource settings or developing nations
- Master in public health or administration
- Children of War
- Still in the process of creating teams to send to Ukraine
- Additional information on their webpage
- Samaritan's Purse
- Operating three medical clinics and one 24 hour field hospital near Lviv
- Medical Teams International
- Currently assessing the humanitarian needs in the region and surrounding areas
- Accepting applications for future endeavors
- Must be able to leave quickly and stay for an extended period
- Heart to Heart International
- Currently looking for volunteers to assemble hygiene kits at their warehouse in Lenexa, Kansas (allows children over the age of 10 to volunteer)
- Can purchase medical supplies on the website for donation
While not all of the organizations below are directly working within Ukrainian, many are supporting neighboring countries that are working tirelessly to provide safety to the refugees as well as medical care.
- Everybody Can
- Founded in 2014, this foundation based in Kyiv is providing assistance to Ukrainian children and elders as well as donating medical equipment to hospitals
- Nova Ukraine
- Accepting donations to provide emergency kits for families and hospital equipment
- Ukraine Crisis Fund
- Provides drinkable water, food, and hygiene kits to Ukrainian families
- iMiracleProject
- Accepting medical supplies, food, clothing, and other basic necessities donations
- Voices of Children
- Donations help provide children affected by the war to receive psychological support
- United Ukrainian American Relief Committee
- Utilizing a GoFundMe to purchase medical supplies and equipment to send to hospitals and clinics in Ukraine
- Ukrainian Association of Washington
- Working with Medical Teams International to deliver medical supplies to hospitals in Ukraine
- Polish Medical Mission (Polska Misja Medyczna )
- Based in Poland, this organization is providing medical support to displaced Ukrainians in Poland and those in Ukrainian border towns
- Polish Center for International Aid (Polskie Centrum Pomocy Międzynarodowej (PCPM)
- An organization that is looking ahead and currently and will be working specifically to rebuild schools, daycare centers, and organize summer camps
- Assisted displaced Ukrainian women and children even prior to the start of the war with Russia
Make sure to do adequate research when determining where to donate
your time and money. Here are some tips to keep in mind,
- Always pay with a credit card and not a debit card link to a bank account.
- Never donate if an organization or individual is pushy or trying to get a donation very quickly.
- Check to see if the organization is a 503b and how long they have been in existence.
- Read reviews of the organization and check website legitimacy.
- Check bank accounts and credit card statements for any unusual activity after donation.
Above Ukraine cover image of sky and sunflowers posted with appreciation from peapix.com >>>