Association of Medical Doctors of ASIA, founded in 1984, Consultative Status with UN ECOSOC since 1995

“The Ravages of War and the Lives of the People” – The Ukraine humanitarian crisis marks four full years since its start

 
On 24 February 2022, the peaceful lives of Ukrainians were abruptly disrupted by an act of aggression, forcing many to flee their homes.
 
At the onset of the crisis, AMDA began by working with other aid organizations in neighboring Hungary to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukrainian refugees. Since then, the support activities have grown more diversified, eventually shifting to helping internally displaced people and visitors to medical facilities in Ukraine’s western and eastern regions. Without collaboration with local partners, this would not have been possible.
 
This year, Ukraine has experienced one of its coldest winters, with temperatures falling to -20°C. During periodic meetings with local partners, AMDA learned how people had been coping with challenging circumstances, with uncertainty still looming over the end of the conflict. 
 
One of AMDA’s partners, a hospital in the eastern region of Kharkiv, has been serving local residents around the clock amid air raid sirens going off every half hour. Not only does it provide medical services, but it also offers a space for everyone to warm themselves when central heating is not available due to power outages. It even helps people find apartments equipped with heating, especially those whose houses were damaged by bombings. The hospital is literally a hub for residents who are desperate to preserve a certain level of normalcy in their daily lives.
 
Just like the rest of the world, people in Ukraine are trying to live each day as it comes. The difference is that they are constantly walking a fine line between life and death. Children have been able to attend school classes, but in dimly lit shelters. People still take walks outside and go to concerts, movies, or theaters, despite the echoing air raid alerts in the background. There are beautiful spots that used to be frequented by tourists, only to be filled with landmines after the aggression began.
 
“We are still grateful to God because we have somehow survived until today,” the director of the hospital said. The ruthlessness of living under war leaves a gut-wrenching impression.
 
Meanwhile, the current crisis has also been casting a shadow over the western part of Ukraine, which is less affected by direct attacks. Because of the limited power supply, planned outages have been implemented by the authorities for quite some time. Sometimes, people can use electricity for only two hours a day.
 
Despite such harsh realities, there is a medical facility in the region working with AMDA that is dedicated to supporting children with disabilities. Specializing in rehabilitation programs, the facility is doing its utmost to continue its services. Although fuel costs are surging, it relies on power generators to manage its programs. The pressing issue now, of course, is how to secure financial resources.
 
Although it is located relatively far from the war zones, it is not easy to separate people there from death either. Including the head of the facility, many have lost their loved ones and acquaintances on the front line.
 
With no sign of the end of the conflict, people have been literally exhausted. Yet throughout this time, AMDA’s local partners have been striving to extend a helping hand as much as possible.
 
The ravages of war and the lives of the people stand back-to-back. However, the Ukrainian people remain strong in spirit.