Providing Critical Medicines for Ukraine Relief

In late May, a convoy of 12 donated emergency vehicles rolled into Kyiv—just hours before a major aerial attack on the city. For the founder of U.S. Ambulances for Ukraine, an Illinois-based nonprofit, it was their eighth trip to the country—and the most harrowing. As drones passed overhead and explosions echoed in the distance, they found comfort in knowing that vehicles delivered on previous trips were already in service—saving lives that night and every night.

Since 2022, Direct Relief has partnered with this grassroots organization to deliver more than 100 U.S.-donated ambulances, fire trucks, and emergency support vehicles to Ukraine’s frontline communities. These vehicles—retired from fire departments, hospitals, and police agencies across the U.S.—are getting a second life in places like Odesa and Kharkiv, where the need for emergency response remains critical.

One fire truck, donated by the town of Sterling, Illinois, helped extinguish 824 fires in Odesa in 2024, most sparked by missile or drone strikes. Another ambulance, sent from Valparaiso, Indiana, helped rush an eight-month-old baby girl to surgery—just in time to save her life.

With over 400 ambulances destroyed or damaged in Ukraine since the war began, every vehicle matters. Direct Relief supports these shipments to help restore the country’s emergency response capacity. Each vehicle is inspected and donated in good working condition—often with tens or hundreds of thousands of miles behind it—and continues to serve in war-affected communities.

Each ambulance or fire truck carries more than equipment—it carries hope. Thanks to supporters like you, these vehicles are helping first responders reach people faster, treat injuries, and save lives every day.

Links:

• Ukraine Relief
• Providing Wheeled Support for Ukraine's First Responders

In early 2022, Oleksii—an Odesa-based long-distance coach driver—was finally diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after months of debilitating pain. Just weeks later, war broke out in Ukraine, making access to treatment even more difficult.

Thanks to Direct Relief’s local partners and the unwavering efforts of Ukrainian healthcare providers, Oleksii and thousands of others now have access to life-changing medications that help manage symptoms of RA and other autoimmune diseases.

Oleksii initially bore the cost of his treatment alone, but the high price of medication eventually became unsustainable. When he reached out to the humanitarian center “Hospitable Hut” run by Direct Relief’s partner Ukrainian Soul, they stepped in—first with a one-time purchase, then with a larger request to Direct Relief. Today, Oleksii is able to sleep again and live with less pain.

Rheumatic diseases like RA and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) affect millions globally, including thousands of Ukrainians. The war has disrupted government programs, leaving many without consistent care. Direct Relief has responded by supplying large quantities of donated anti-rheumatic drugs, reaching patients in Odesa, Mykolaiv, and beyond.

This effort has already helped dozens of patients receive multi-month supplies of medicine, including Diana, a 25-year-old newly minted doctor who now specializes in rheumatology after being diagnosed with RA herself.

As demand continues to grow, local clinics report a sharp rise in the number of patients in need. Direct Relief is scaling up shipments to meet this urgent demand—including to heavily affected regions in eastern Ukraine.

Since the war began, Direct Relief has delivered more than $1.8 billion in medical aid to support the Ukrainian health system—including medications that bring real relief to people like Oleksii, Diana, and thousands more.

Thank you for making this possible. 

Links:

• Donated Therapies Support People Living with RA
• Ukraine Relief
• Direct Relief