Ukraine
The College is in the process of establishing an information hub to keep members updated about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, its devastating impact on the country’s health system and its effect on the region from the forced displacement of Ukrainians from their homes.
We have well-established relationships with a number of humanitarian medical organisations such as Medécins Sans Frontieres (MSF), Doctors of the World / Medécins du Monde, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the David Nott Foundation. Our connections and expertise are drawn from our members, the Humanitarian Surgery Initiative, the Surgical Training in Austere Environments (STAE) course, the Definitive Surgical Trauma Skills ( DSTS) course and the Damage Control Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery (DCOTS) course.
Read the statement from our president.
In focus: Ukraine webinars
Our new webinar series examines important aspects of the war in Ukraine.
- Wednesday 8 June 2022, 6.30pm BST: Health and surgical response, with NHS England and UK-Med
Professor Neil Mortensen explored how NHS England is contributing to the humanitarian response. The panel were Professor Chris Moran OBE, National Clinical Director for Trauma to NHS England and Lizzie Marmont, Operations Manager at UK-Med. Watch the recording.
Chris Lavy highlighted the contributions of Ukrainian diaspora organisations and health professionals in assisting the humanitarian medical and aid response to the war in Ukraine.
The panel were Professor Roman Gregg, Anaesthetist and President of Ukrainian Medical Association of the UK; Dr Tania Hebert, GP and West Midlands Coordinator for Medical Aid Ukraine initiative; Mr Jaroszlav Roszpopa, Plastic Surgeon and Tetyana Vovnyanko, Managing Director of British-Ukrainian Aid charity. Watch the recording.
Our aims
- Provide main point of contact at the College for members and stakeholders who wish to support the humanitarian surgical effort in the region and are seeking guidance from the College.
- Leverage our existing partnerships and networks to reach out to surgical societies and organisations in the region to gain a better understanding of the surgical care burden and need (training, equipment, consumables and human resources).
- Map and record the efforts of members with a view to connecting or signposting members with similar ideas to official channels, route and activities.
- Maintain communications with the relevant UK Government departments, UN offices and WHO clusters.
- Monitor developments and share information with other surgical colleges and specialty associations.
Ways to donate and support
- The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is a coalition of 15 leading UK charities who are experts in humanitarian aid and specialise in different areas of the disaster response. They have come together and launched Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal to fund emergency aid and rapid relief work. Every pound donated by the UK public will be matched by the UK Government through its UK Aid Match scheme up to the value of £20 million: donate.
- A national effort is underway to provide support to Ukraine and to ensure that the NHS stands ready to provide further support as needed. NHS England has advised that in order to coordinate this help and to avoid creating disruption or duplication, offers of assistance within England from NHS organisations should be sent to: England.incident14@nhs.net.
- The Scottish Government has created a website to help people in Scotland make donations in a secure and effective way should they wish to do so. This includes financial donations, essential supplies and volunteering.
- Charity Commission in Northern Ireland has outlined how to give safely in response to the crisis in Ukraine should you wish to do so.
- The Welsh Government has outlined how people can help those affected.