Since the beginning of the war, the Tulipe association and its member and donor healthcare companies have been relentless in their efforts to ensure access to healthcare for the Ukrainian population. On Tuesday 12 March, a lorry carrying 12 tonnes of health products left the Tulipe warehouse. They will be distributed in three regions of Ukraine by the recipient NGO Aide Médicale & Caritative France-Ukrainе (AMCFU).
This is one of the largest donations of medical products ever made by theTulipe association, one of the only humanitarian pharmaceutical distributors in Europe. Since 1982, the association, an offshoot of Leem, has federated donations from healthcare companies for redistribution to NGOs working in crisis zones.
A semi-trailer lorry carrying 40 pallets (12 tonnes) of medicines and medical equipment left Le Thillay (95), where Tulipe’s storage warehouse is located, for Ukraine. Over the past two years, Tulipe has donated more than 200 tonnes of health products to Ukraine, including more than 60 tonnes to the AMCFU.
Medicines distributed to health establishments in three regions of Ukraine
In a few days’ time, the lorry chartered by this NGO will transport this major donation to the region. The products will then be distributed to hospitals in the Kharkiv, Dnipro and Soumy regions of Ukraine. “We are working closely with the Ukrainian Ministry of Health and the regional authorities. Depending on the logistical needs, the different situations and the way in which the authorities operate, it is either the Ministry that is responsible for distributing the medicines to the various hospitals and health centres, or the regional authorities, or our organisation. We are in direct contact with several hospitals”, explains Diana Dols, AMCFU’s Director of Humanitarian Operations.
Access to healthcare for Kharkiv
Many of the hospitals that will be supplied with Tulipe health products are located in areas of high tension, particularly in the Kharkiv region. An area that has recently been hit by deadly drone attacks. “There are different needs from one region to another. In Kharkiv, which is currently under bombardment, we are being asked for analgesics, haemostatics, anti-inflammatories, tourniquets and emergency treatment equipment for the wounded”, explains Diana Dols. The situation in Ukraine’s hospitals and health centres is extremely worrying.
Medical facilities targeted by the Russians
The latest figures, released last November by the Ukrainian authorities, show that 1,468 medical facilities have been damaged and 193 others destroyed by Russian fire. The invaders continue to target civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities: hospitals, outpatient clinics, polyclinics, maternity wards and other medical facilities have not been spared. “The economic cost is also enormous. The economic cost is also enormous”, Diana Dols points out.
Other humanitarian actions for Ukraine currently being finalised
The Tulipe association will continue its work to provide access to healthcare for people affected by the war in Ukraine. Other humanitarian operations are being finalised, in particular with theNGO Safe. To mark this sad anniversary, SAFE will be sending at least 5 lorries of humanitarian aid between 14 and 24 February. SAFE and its partners (including Tulipe, which will be represented by Alexandre Laridan, the association’s director of operations) will be holding a round-table discussion on the humanitarian situation on Friday 23 February at 2pm. This will be followed by a press briefing at 4pm, at the town hall in the 15th arrondissement of Paris. A lorry will leave the town hall at around 4.30pm.
