Since the start of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, more than 3.55 million people have crossed into neighbouring countries[1], with an additional 2 million people internally displaced within Ukraine. This is, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, the fastest growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War II[2].
In this time of crisis, The MENTOR Initiative is pivoting 19 years of operational experience and skills in other emergency and conflict settings, working with extraordinary national partners, to assist in this war setting in Europe. With the aim of providing gap filling emergency support, MENTOR deployed its Emergency Team to Ukraine (and Poland) on 8 March to assess the needs, in cooperation with the health administration of Ukraine.
MENTOR is bringing together private sector logistical networks and international partners to provide essential support and reinforcement to the existing medical supply chain, which has been increasingly disrupted by the situation on the ground. Working with the Ministry of Health, MENTOR will help to import priority medical supplies, materials and medical equipment, with international medical donation partner organisations and also support transportation of these to warehouses and onward distribution to health facilities. MENTOR will help to ensure that supplies continue to reach the end health service providers, especially those in areas hosting large numbers of internally displaced people, many of whom are women and children, in more remote areas.
[1] UNHCR Operational Data Portal, Ukraine Refugee Situation as of 21 March 2022
[2] UNHCR 11 March 2022