Providing Critical Medicines for Ukraine Relief

Direct Relief’s response to the war in Ukraine is the largest effort in the organization’s history. In 2024, Direct Relief provided $42 million in financial assistance, and delivered 138 shipments of medical supplies, bringing the total to 2,480 tons, valued at $1.4 billion (wholesale). Continuing efforts focus on rehabilitation, mental health, mobile and emergency care, and resilient power for health services.

During a recent visit to Ukraine and the surrounding region, Direct Relief representatives toured critical healthcare facilities of grantees, including the new Protez Foundation prosthetic clinic and the recently upgraded UNBROKEN facility. The renovations at UNBROKEN include a state-of-the-art prosthetics center, a training center, an eight-story residential housing unit, and significant enhancements to a 500-bed hospital.

According to UNBROKEN officials, the facility now handles an average of 250 emergency patients daily—a number that has doubled since the war began.

Direct Relief is supporting healthcare and other institutions in creating backup energy systems. As part of its global Power for Health Initiative, more than 2,500 13.5 kWh Tesla Powerwall 2 units were supplied, including 500 from the Polish government, to support critical and social infrastructure. Direct Relief’s contribution so far is valued at around $12 million.

This cooperation became an important element of national resilience, said former Deputy Minister for Digital Transformation Yegor Dubinsky, who worked closely with Direct Relief on much of the project: “Power for Health is an effective response which allows our hospitals, emergency services, and schools to work during the power outages, and our people to continue to live despite all attempts to break their will.”

In late July 2024, Direct Relief announced a new $10 million philanthropic commitment to address urgent medical needs and bolster the resilience of healthcare infrastructure across Ukraine.

The announcement was made at an event at Ukraine House in Washington D.C., hosted by Direct Relief, The Ukrainian Ministry of Health, and the Ukrainian Embassy.

“The international non-profit organization Direct Relief has united powerful private companies and philanthropists in order to support Ukraine,” said Maryna Slobodnichenko, Deputy Minister of Health of Ukraine for European integration. “Thank you for such unceasing support.”

“Direct Relief remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting health services for the Ukrainian people as they continue to encounter enormous difficulties from the ongoing Russia attacks, said Thomas Tighe, President and CEO of Direct Relief.

Direct Relief’s $10 million philanthropic commitment will support vital organizations including Unbroken, The Protez Foundation, and The Ukrainian American House. These funds will be allocated to address the following healthcare priorities, as identified by the Ukrainian Ministry of Health:

• Prosthetics and rehabilitation services for injured persons, now estimated to be more than 100,000 persons
• Resilient power solutions for healthcare facilities to ensure uninterrupted services, which are compromised by attacks on the country’s critical energy infrastructure
• Flexible primary care approaches to manage the health needs of displaced persons
• Access to essential medications, with a focus on rare diseases and specialty therapies
• Mental health and psychosocial support services for people who continue to be subjected to extreme risk, constant threat, and daily tragedies.

This most recent commitment builds upon Direct Relief’s ongoing support for Ukraine, which has included over $42 million in financial assistance and 2,480 tons of medical aid valued at $1.3 billion.

The medical material contributions total more than 341 million defined daily doses of medicines including insulin, cancer therapies, vaccines, cardiovascular drugs, respiratory treatments, and other resources, all in response to requests from the Ukrainian Ministry of Health and local Ukrainian healthcare providers.

Thank you for being part of Direct Relief’s continued effort in Ukraine.