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.”