September Partner Update

Response: Ukraine and Moldova – War and Refugee Crisis

Over six months since the war in Ukraine began, the need for humanitarian assistance continues as conditions for civilians throughout the country remain dire. Across the region, OCHA reports 17.7 million Ukrainians are in need, including 6.6 million who are internally displaced. Communities in southern and eastern Ukraine are particularly vulnerable, as intense fighting threatens civilian lives and blocks access to humanitarian aid. These hostilities continue to damage infrastructure and disrupt supply chains, leaving civilians without reliable access to pharmaceuticals, food, clean water, and basic supplies. 

Airlink’s operations remain active and continue to meet the needs of those affected by the conflict, thanks to the generosity and support of our partners at Aeromexico, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Amerijet, British Airways, Flexport.org, Priority Worldwide Service, SEKO Logistics, United Airlines, UPS Foundation, and Virgin Atlantic.

Airlink’s response to the war in Ukraine has quickly become its largest. In August alone, Airlink supported flights for 28 passengers and coordinated transportation logistics for 100 tons of cargo, in turn expanding community access to healthcare, WASH, nutrition, shelter, and protection. Thus far, these programs have benefitted nearly 4 million civilians in 82 communities in the region, providing life-saving and life-sustaining support to those in need. Airlink is committed to supporting humanitarian needs through this response, as long as needs continue.

Moldova – Intensified fighting over the past month led to increased population movement from Ukraine into Moldova. Airlink’s NGO partner World of Giving has been working closely with the Moldovan Ministry of Health since the start of the war to meet gaps in access to essential items. Last month, with Airlink’s support, a shipment containing over 25 thousand pounds of baby wipes was distributed to refugee families with young children by the ministry. In addition, Airlink continues to provide passenger and cargo support for IsraAID and GlobalMedic’s operations in the country, distributing emergency relief kits containing food, hygiene, and shelter items.

Ukraine – Airlink remains committed to supporting humanitarian operations throughout Ukraine as communities grapple with 6 months of ongoing fighting. Throughout the last month, Airlink supported cargo and passenger movements for NGO partners working closely with local actors to ensure humanitarian needs across all sectors are being met. 

• Medevac services are severely constrained, especially in areas experiencing intense fighting. NGO partners Global Outreach Doctors, Global Response Management, and International Medical Relief have continued to provide frontline emergency support, maternal healthcare, and delivery of pharmaceutical supplies. Organizations have focused on increasing local capacity with joint training for local medical staff on specialized trauma medical care.
• Hospitals across the country continue to be overrun and under-supported as supply chain challenges have disrupted medical aid delivery. Airlink continues to support cargo movements to supply hospitals with needed medical supplies and equipment. Shipments on behalf of partners LifeBox and Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC) of pulse oximeters, incubators, and additional medical supplies supported partner facilities and care centers. Airlink additionally supported several shipments of medical supplies for NGO partner Razom. Their in-country partner, The National Agency for Humanitarian Aid Zdorovi, coordinates with hospitals across the country to ensure equitable distribution of requested items.
• The overwhelming demand at hospitals in Ukraine has led to more families treating injuries at home. Shipments of first aid kits coordinated on behalf of Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation and GlobalMedic provided the essentials to minimize infection to families without reliable access to medical care. 
• Communications infrastructure is critical in a response for both responders and civilians to remain in contact and informed. A shipment of cables and telecom equipment from Airlink’s partner Information Technology Disaster Resource Center (ITDRC) arrived this month to rebuild the communications infrastructure.
• As regions experience increased fighting, both professional and volunteer emergency responders are called on, but are not always equipped with the gear required. Airlink supported a GlobalMedic shipment of firefighting equipment that was distributed in areas impacted by Russian shelling to increase capacity for safe emergency response. 
• Half of all Ukrainians are currently food insecure as hostilities lead to unreliable access to food and other essentials. A shipment with Shelters International Disaster Relief of dehydrated soup kits will provide 1.3 million nutritious meals for food insecure families displaced within Ukraine. In addition, Airlink is coordinating movement for shipments of GlobalMedic’s Family Emergency Food kits that contain healthy, culturally appropriate dried pantry staples as well as point-of-use water purification tabs. These Family Emergency Kits contain essential hygiene items, such as soap, toothbrushes, and toothpaste, as well as solar lights that can extend light access when electricity is unavailable.
• 13 million people in Ukraine are identified as needing WASH assistance. Lack of access to clean water leaves community members at an increased risk of water-borne diseases. NGO partner Convoy of Hope is addressing this gap in service by sending water filters to communities with unreliable access to clean water.
• The war’s impact on the well-being of children is significant. At the beginning of this school year, the 4 million school-aged children in Ukraine are in need of continued child-space support. Airlink coordinated a shipment of sports equipment on behalf of Convoy of Hope to be used at sports-focused camps serving kids impacted by conflict. Spaces for displaced children are essential to maintain a sense of normalcy within the war, allowing kids to acclimate back into some aspects of normal life.