The situation in Ukraine grew increasingly severe throughout 2015 as clashes between pro-Russian separatist and Ukrainian forces continued. Rocket fire attacks and shelling plagued vulnerable citizens, forcing them to risk their lives by either fleeing to neighbouring regions or seeking shelter in their homes. In 2015, over 3 million civilians were still living within the conflict zone, and at least 1.7 million people were formally registered as Internally Displaced People (IDP).
Despite an additional round of peace talks held in Minsk, and a renewed ceasefire on September 1, 2015, countless violations took place as the fighting continued. In total, 9,370 people were killed, and more than 21,000 injured. The humanitarian situation remained desperate and landmines and unexploded ordnances became an increasing threat to civilians.
GlobalMedic’s Rapid Response Team deployed to the Ukraine to provide crucial support to those displaced by the ongoing violence. The team distributed Individual and Family Hygiene Kits, Food Packages, Non-Food Item (NFI) Kits, Rainfresh Household Water Purification Units, and Aquatab Water Purification Tablets to IDPs in the regions of Berdyansk, Luhansk, Donetsk, Kharkhiv, Poltava, and Zaporozhye.
In total GlobalMedic distributed:
- 4,200+ Hygiene Kits
- 1,600+ NFI Kits including kettle, pots and pans, blankets, pillows, and comforters
- 880 Family Emergency Kits each including a Hygiene Kit and First Aid Kit
- 400 Family Winterization Kits including household heaters, thermal underwear, hats, etc.
- 1,200 Rainfresh Household Water Purification Units
- 1 Field Clinic
- $200,000 worth of medical equipment and supplies to 16 hospitals and clinics
- 1,170+ Food Kits
- 2.1+ million Aquatab Water Purification Tablets
- 33 AP-700 large scale water purification units
- 6 skids of firefighting gear to strengthen the capacity of under-equipped fire stations across eastern Ukraine
In addition, GlobalMedic introduced a new program to install protective blast film in 14 high-risk buildings throughout the eastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol. This blast film prevents window glass from shattering inwards, even as it breaks apart from the force of an explosion.