AMCFU strengthens disability care capacities in Ukraine

In war-torn Ukraine, vulnerable populations are even more fragile. In many parts of the country, the evacuation of people with reduced mobility is very difficult, as suitable means of transport are generally very limited. In addition, the increase in the number of wounded to be evacuated to the rear places even more strain on the country’s capacities.

It is in this context that Bordeaux Métropole and Keolis Bordeaux Métropole donated 14 vehicles to the AMCFU for the transport of people with reduced mobility (PRM), thanks to which the association was able to meet multiple needs.

Following the request of the Ukrainian Minister of Health addressed to the AMCFU, 10 vehicles will be assigned to the services that ensure the evacuation of war invalids, people suffering from a motor disability and residents of nursing homes or hospitals to areas far from the bombings. The Ukrainian Centers for Emergency Medical Care and Disaster Medicine will take possession of the vehicles after their delivery.

In addition, one vehicle will be transferred to the Chernihiv specialized home, near kyiv. With nearly 400 residents with physical or mental disabilities or in geriatrics, this establishment is located in a city attacked from the first days of the Russian offensive. Its residents could not be evacuated and suffered the encirclement of the city for five weeks, then had to adapt to the destroyed networks – running water could not be restored until two months later. The PRM transport vehicle will be the first of its kind for the establishment, which had to make do with unsuitable resources until now.

The last three vehicles are being made available to the Ukrainian junior disabled swimming team, which found refuge in France in April, before being transferred to Ukraine at the end of the children’s stay and their companions.

Thus, after the transfer formalities were settled by the AMCFU, the first vehicles set off for Ukraine. 4 Renault Kangoo vehicles left on June 10 on a vehicle carrier and 7 Opel Movano vehicles left on June 15 by road, loaded with donations of medical equipment and essential products that will be distributed on site.

“Among the actions we are carrying out to strengthen the capacities of the Ukrainian health system, the care of people with disabilities is a very important focus given the state of emergency that the country is experiencing,” explains Diana Dols, AMCFU’s Director of Operations. “We receive many requests for this type of vehicle from our partners in Ukraine, and we therefore warmly thank our partners Bordeaux Métropole and Keolis Bordeaux Métropole for their generous donation and their valuable support during this operation.”