Ukraine: Special Update
More than 2.8 million people have now fled Ukraine because of the Russian invasion, with over 300,000 people from Ukraine crossing into Moldova—nearly 90% of whom are women with children, according to the United Nations (UN). Not only that but according to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, more than a million refugees crossed borders into neighboring countries in the first week alone. Protection and support during this vulnerable period are vital, and as the situation continues to unfold, the number of people fleeing Ukraine may reach an estimated 4 million.
At the request of Moldovan authorities, World Hope International (WHI) quickly formed an aid alliance with partners Lift Non-Profit Logistics, MAP International, and The UPS Foundation to provide humanitarian relief in the form of $4 million in medical supplies for more than 300,000 Ukrainian adults and children currently seeking refuge in the border country of Moldova.
The 747 aircraft, pictured here, departed for Europe on March 9th with the much-needed pharmaceuticals and essential curative aid.
A second 747 aircraft left Chicago today, March 14th, carrying an additional $7 million in medical supplies donated to Moldova for refugees fleeing Ukraine. This support was made possible by a partnership with Flexport.org, Airlink, World Hope International, LIFT Non-Profit Logistics, and Globus Relief.
This partnership came together to acquire over 220,000 lbs. of medical supplies that were specifically requested by the Moldova Ministry of Health to support over 300,000 refugees. With the support of Flexport.org, these supplies have been moved from Utah and airlifted via a Boeing 747 from Chicago to Amsterdam.
As the tragic events unfolding in Ukraine continue to escalate, World Hope is continuing to look at ways to scale up our support, and we hope these efforts will make a large impact on those who receive these critical supplies.
A refugee camp near Palanca, about km from the Ukraine border, on March 4, 2022. Photo: EPA-EFE/Dumitru Doru
With millions fleeing across the borders and into the unknown, however, the risks for exploitation and trafficking run high.
As noted by the Migration Data Portal, “Humanitarian crises such as those associated with conflicts or natural disasters may exacerbate pre-existing trafficking trends and give rise to new ones. While some forms of trafficking could be a direct result of crises, such as exploitative sexual services demanded by armed groups or the forced recruitment of child soldiers, others are less evident, with traffickers thriving on the widespread human, material, social and economic losses caused by crises and the inability of families and communities to protect themselves and their children.”
Haley Clark, World Hope’s Director of Anti-Trafficking and Gender-Based Violence states that, “What we have is this massive group of vulnerable people made up primarily of women and children fleeing unaccompanied and often without potentially protective men with them. They are in immediate need of assistance and people in the bordering countries are stepping up to support them, but the challenge is not necessarily knowing who these people are. The people who are stepping up to support the refugees could actually be perpetrators, and helping communities know how to identify that and what to do in cases of abuse or exploitation is critical.”
World Hope International is responding to the crisis in Ukraine. You can make a special gift in support of these efforts today or learn more about our basic needs rapid response work.
You can also make a gift to The Hope Fund, which helps us respond around the world when and where it matters to promote dignity and build opportunity and hope.
