Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien and Minister of State with responsibility for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy, with a number of government departments, the HSE (Health Service Executive) and state agencies, are working together to provide medical items to Ukraine in response to formal requests for assistance received from Ukraine. Ireland has received these requests under the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) and is providing assistance as part of a coordinated EU response.
Ireland provided a donation from the Irish Blood Transfusion Service of 4,000 blood bags. These were dispatched from the IBTS supplier’s manufacturing facility based in Poland on Monday 7 March.
A second donation coordinated by the HSE, includes 10,000 bio protection suits, 50,000 medical protective masks and 2,583 litres of disinfectant. The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have made logistical arrangements and these items have been dispatched from Ireland today, Friday.
These donations have been provided through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The HSE and the Department of Health are currently planning a number of further donations of medical supplies and equipment through this mechanism in response to formal requests for assistance from the governments of Ukraine and neighbouring countries providing support to Ukrainian refugees.
There has been a huge response across the health service in support of the people of Ukraine. The HSE is also channelling support through a number of additional routes including Medical Help Ukraine (a group of Ukrainian Doctors in Ireland) are partnering with Lifeline Ambulance Service to deliver supplies into Ukraine by air and overland. Many items have been donated by HSE staff and institutions, private health services, and various health and non-health suppliers.
The donations are just one aspect of the response of the Irish health sector to the Ukraine crisis and a part of the extensive Irish Government response.
Minister Donnelly said, “The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is devastating. I had the opportunity to meet with Ambassador Gerasko earlier this week and am keenly aware of how important these donations are to supporting the Ukrainian response to ongoing conflict. My department and the HSE will continue to work with colleagues across Government, across the EU and with the Ambassador and her team here in Dublin to ensure every health support we can provide is made available. The HSE is coordinating a large number of offers of medicines and medical assistance we can provide, and I look forward to confirming further support shortly.”
Minister O’Brien said,”What is currently happening in Ukraine is an absolute tragedy. We must pull out all the stops that we can to assist the humanitarian effort that is currently underway. The Irish Government recognises the horrors of this conflict and will provide whatever humanitarian supports we can. These medical donations are critical to helping in saving lives and I am happy to assist on behalf of the Irish Government with my colleagues. I would also like to thank the people of Ireland for their unwavering generosity.”
Minister Brophy said,”The appalling scenes we are witnessing in Ukraine demand an immediate response. This shipment is in direct response to the Government of Ukraine’s appeal for medical assistance. It is vital that we stand in solidarity and support with the people of Ukraine at this time. In addition to this medical shipment, the government has allocated €20 million in humanitarian funding to support people in Ukraine, as well as those who have fled to neighbouring countries. My department is working actively with our partners in the region to provide basic needs, including food, shelter, healthcare and protection, to people affected by this devastating war.”