Emergency aid for those affected by war

Okhmatdyt hospital in Kyiv is the largest medical facility in Ukraine specialising in the treatment of children. It provides a wide range of medical services, including surgery, cancer treatment, intensive care and organ transplants. Besides the 18,000 children treated annually at the 720-bed hospital, about 20,000 children receive emergency care in its trauma centre.

Around 7,000 surgeries of all types are performed at the hospital every year, with the exception of heart surgery. On 8 July 2024, several parts of the hospital including operating rooms and intensive care units were damaged in a missile strike. Patients had to be evacuated and transferred to other medical facilities.
Reconstruction has already begun, however significant funding, time and support is needed from other institutions offering rehabilitation services. The fact that the children and families receiving treatment at Okhmatdyt hospital are already mentally and emotionally exhausted due to the ongoing war presents a further challenge.

Goals: The local Caritas-Spes Ukraine has run rehabilitation and recovery programmes for vulnerable children for many years now, among others for children with disabilities, from disadvantaged families, and survivors of past disasters such as the Chernobyl nuclear accident. The focus is now on helping children affected by the war. The following support is planned for 100 children and their families who have received or are currently receiving treatment at Okhmatdyt hospital: two-week health camps at a children’s recovery centre, joint play and recreational activities, psychological and psychosocial support, advice on social and medical issues.

The Redel Foundation is supporting the project with €30,000.

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