The war in Ukraine has left deep scars, both physical and psychological. In this challenging context, the Aide Médicale Caritative France-Ukraine (AMCFU) is committed to strengthening the skills of Ukrainian healthcare professionals through training programs and knowledge exchanges. Our goal is to equip Ukrainian caregivers with the necessary tools to effectively care for the many trauma victims while promoting the exchange of expertise between French and Ukrainian professionals.
For several years, AMCFU has been implementing training initiatives that directly address the needs of Ukrainian healthcare workers. These programs are designed to provide concrete solutions to the daily challenges faced by these professionals, particularly in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and sleep disorders, which are common among war victims.
One of the most striking examples of this cooperation is the “Sleep, Stress and Trauma” training organized with the NGO “Institute of Sleep and Post-Traumatic Disorders”, chaired by Ms. Oksana Voloshyna. The program, designed by Dr. Malik Ait Aoudia, one of the world experts on post-traumatic nightmares, brought together European, Canadian and Ukrainian experts to deliver the first modules to an audience of psychologists, psychiatrists and doctors.
This training cycle, composed of four modules, aims to provide Ukrainian practitioners with a basic level of sleep therapy, that is, to provide the skills necessary to offer adequate initial assistance to their patients and correctly refer them to specialized care.
The program began in 2019. A second cycle took place in 2023-2024, this time with more Ukrainian speakers. The Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv provides logistical support.
Dr. Malik Ait Aoudia and Mrs. Oksana Voloshyna are currently strengthening their program with training to become a Sleep Therapy Consultant, the first two modules of which took place in 2023.
Our first missions in the field of psychology date back to 2015.
We initially worked with the NGO “Ukrainian Association for Combating the Consequences of Traumatic Events” or “Crisis Psychological Service” (“Українська Асоціація фахівців подоланн я наслідків психотравмуючих подій » aka “Психологічна кризова служба“). This association was created in 2013 by volunteer psychologists from the psychological cell of Maidan.
We have completed two training courses and seminars with them.
A pilot training course on the theme of “Managing pain and stress through hypnosis and hypnotic communication” was in November 2015.
An intensive week, during which Isabelle Celestin-L’hopiteau and Dr. Catherine Bernard from the French Institute of Psychocorporeal Practices (I.F.P.P.C.) came to teach Ukrainian psychologists effective tools for pain control and for treating stress states: acute pain and stress, phantom limb pain, addiction, symptoms related to post-traumatic stress syndrome, flashbacks, nightmares.
Unfortunately, we were unable to renew the courses due to lack of funding.
In June 2016, with Dr. Malik Ait Aoudia and the Psychological Crisis Service, we organized the first days of psychotrauma on the theme of nightmares.
This seminar was attended by Ukrainian psychologists and psychiatrists working on nightmares with their patients, civilians or soldiers. This seminar was the starting point of our Franco-Ukrainian cooperation in the field of psychotrauma.
The Trainers
Psychologists from the “Psychotrauma Center” at the Institute of Victimology will travel to Ukraine to train psychologists on PTSD. The institute is an internationally recognized reference center with clinical, scientific, and academic activities. It coordinates the UnitWin UNESCO network “Addressing Violence”.
The French Institute of Psycho-Corporal Practices (IFPPC) offers training focused on using hypnosis for pain and stress management. The IFPPC has already trained teams at the Invalides Hospital in Paris, which, among others, cares for French veterans.
It has certified trainers among its ranks and has already conducted several humanitarian convoys in the Lviv region. The delivery of ambulances from the latest convoy was followed by a visit to the Emergency and Disaster Medicine Training Center in Lviv, where discussions were held regarding the feasibility of this project.
Diversity of Training and Expertise Acquired
AMCFU offers a wide range of training programs tailored to the specific needs of Ukrainian healthcare professionals. They are delivered in various formats to ensure effective knowledge transfer:
These initiatives are supported by strong partnerships with renowned institutions, such as the Ukrainian Catholic University, the Institute of Victimology in Paris, and the Poitiers University Hospital (CHU de Poitiers). The training programs are further enriched by the participation of international experts, ensuring a high level of quality and up-to-date content.
The current situation is alarming for emergency services. Over the past two years, 164 ambulances have been damaged, and 261 vehicles have been completely destroyed. Unfortunately, 42 emergency medical professionals have lost their lives, and 63 have been injured.
To address this situation, AMCFU regularly supports emergency medicine training centers with the quality equipment. Recently, the association became the main partner of the Ukrainian Emergency Response Championship “Bukovina Medical Rally 2024,” which took place on May 23-24 in Chernivtsi. The event hosted 26 teams from across Ukraine, with 104 emergency responders representing various cities and more than 500 participants in total.
We have reaffirmed our support for medical teams by continuing training programs and providing ambulances, medications, equipment, and medical supplies.
Opening of a new medical training center in Lviv
We provide material assistance and also support medical training centers. These centers train doctors, first responders, and the general population in emergency care during wartime.
With an investment of €400,000, this new center is equipped with the latest technology. It will enable the training of medical professionals and first responders, enhancing their skills to better respond to emergency situations. The center offers training programs not only in Lviv but also in other regions, according to established curricula.
Cooperation between French and Ukrainian paramedics
Ukrainian Emergency and Disaster Medicine is highly interested in exchanging knowledge with their French counterparts regarding staff training. The ongoing reform will bring Ukrainian teams closer to their Western standards in terms of team structure and intervention management. French experience is therefore invaluable, and the leadership of Harmonie Ambulance is responsive to this need.
AMCFU continues to develop new initiatives to meet the evolving needs of Ukrainian healthcare professionals. Upcoming training modules in Lviv and other international collaborations are already being prepared, with the aim of better equipping healthcare providers to address the medical and psychological challenges posed by the conflict in Ukraine.
Together, through training and knowledge exchange, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of those who need it most. Organizing these training sessions comes at a cost. The training sessions alone cost between €4,000 and €7,500. The realization of this project with French experts depends on the availability of funding.
We can all contribute, by any means at our disposal, to healing the traumatized and the injured.
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Since 2014, AMCFU has been tirelessly providing medical and humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian population, particularly in regions heavily affected by the war. We strive to improve living conditions and deliver essential assistance to the most vulnerable groups.
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