Langford humanitarian group on a new mission to provide medical supplies in Ukraine
CTV
A humanitarian group in Langford is stepping up its support for the people in war-torn Ukraine. It’s hosting a fundraiser this Saturday night at the Bear Mountain Westin to raise money for much-needed medical supplies after an urgent plea from a doctor in the invaded country.
“This doctor appealed to us that they badly needed medical equipment, dressings, sutures and diagnostic equipment,” said Bob Beckett, the project coordinator.
The supplies are needed to treat thousands of civilians and soldiers injured in recent months.
“Let’s raise money and secure the equipment that they are asking for,” said Beckett.
The humanitarian group travelled to the city of Lutsk in Ukraine this summer in partnership with the Canadian non-profit GlobalMedic.
The partnership raised $400,000 to provide food and rescue equipment to the Ukrainian people. Most of that aid has now been delivered.
Svitlana Makhnovets lives just outside Lutsk and is the group's interpreter.
“The war shows no signs of stopping,” said Makhnovets. “My compatriots are still being slaughtered every day. Children are being stolen from their parents and sent to remote parts of Russia.”
She says as Ukrainian forces win back territory taken from them by the Russian army, the hospital system is being overwhelmed by the injured.