For more information, contact:
Janice Bryant
MAP International
4700 Glynco Parkway
Brunswick, GA 31525
MAP International Gearing up to Respond to Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine
Brunswick, GA, March 2, 2022 – MAP International, a Christian global health organization that reached 89 countries with free medicine and health supplies last year, is preparing to respond to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
On the morning of February 24, Russia launched a full-scale invasion on Ukraine, attacking from the North, East, and South and focusing on airports and military installations. The attacks prompted thousands of people to flee the country, crossing the borders into Moldova and other neighboring countries in an effort to flee the conflict.
A week prior to the attack, Ukraine’s defense minister estimated that a staggering 3-5 million people would potentially flee conflict zones if Russia did launch a violent invasion. Already, the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and those seeking refuge in other countries are rapidly climbing.
Even prior to Russia’s invasion, eastern Ukraine has suffered much violence. Since the conflict with Russia began in April 2014, an estimated 5.2 million people have been affected, with more than 3 million Ukrainians having exhausted their resources and now relying solely upon humanitarian assistance to meet their most basic daily needs.
Ukraine was reported to have the world’s ninth largest population of IDPs (1.47 million) prior to the invasion, and now experts are expecting that number to skyrocket as the crisis continues.
MAP International is in communication with several long-term partners who have been on the ground in Ukraine, including Project Hope, International Medical Corps, and Christian Aid Ministries.
Project Hope is in the process of identifying inventory needs, and MAP is prepared to support their relief efforts by providing 2 interagency emergency health kit (IEHK), over 2,000 disaster health kits (DHKs), and a variety of wound care items.
International Medical Corps, an organization that delivers emergency medical and related services to those affected by conflict, disaster, and disease, has also reached out to MAP for support once needs are determined.
Christian Aid Ministries removed all of their in-country personnel prior to the Russian invasion, but once the situation is stabilized, the organization plans to return to Ukraine. “MAP will continue to support their ongoing relief efforts at that time,” says MAP Partnership Development Officer Jeff Hay. “We view this crisis as an ongoing relief effort as Russia continues to invade Ukraine.”
“We are praying fervently for the nation of Ukraine, and for those who are suffering and grieving during this difficult time. MAP is prepared to do whatever we can to support those doing the on-the-ground work of providing medicine and health supplies to refugees,” says President and CEO of MAP International Steve Stirling. “We stand with Ukraine.”
To learn more about MAP or to donate to MAP’s disaster relief response in Ukraine, visit www.map.org.
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