FedEx and non-profit humanitarian organization Direct Relief have delivered 52 tons of medical aid to Ukrainians.
Aid aboard the FedEx Express Boeing 777 cargo aircraft included emergency medicines and supplies, including health kits, trauma and wound care items, chronic disease and chemical exposure medications and antibiotics. FedEx Express delivered this to Poland from the US via a FedEx humanitarian relief flight. This follows FedEx and Direct Relief’s first charter flight of aid for Ukrainian refugees in March and is the latest in a series of shipments from Direct Relief.
All items were provided at the request of, and approved by, Ukraine’s Ministry of Health and local Ukrainian organizations. Direct Relief team members were on-site for the offload and the aid will be distributed to health facilities within Ukraine.
Since February 24, Direct Relief has provided more than 750 tons of medical aid in response to the crisis, from field medic packs – which contain items to address trauma, including tourniquets and wound dressings – to diabetes and cancer medications. FedEx has donated approximately US$2.3m in humanitarian aid to support those impacted by the conflict in Ukraine, including US$1m that has been allocated for in-kind shipping with the company’s non-profit partners.
“As the war enters its fourth month, Direct Relief’s support and solidarity remain steadfastly with the people of Ukraine,” said Thomas Tighe, president and CEO of Direct Relief. “In addition to the heartbreaking loss of life, the war has had a devastating impact on health services in the country, and Direct Relief is committed to bolstering care with a continuous supply of medical aid. FedEx has created a powerful force multiplier for good with this most recent charter, and it’s an incredible example of what’s needed to address this crisis.”
Karen Reddington, regional president of Europe at FedEx Express, added, “It is gratifying to be able to use our global network to support these critical missions, and with this charter flight we hope to make a small contribution to what is still a major humanitarian situation.”
