The security situation in Kherson is becoming more difficult every day. For residents of frontline communities and so-called ‘red zones’, every trip for medication is a huge risk that could cost them their lives. In these extreme conditions, the Yashchenko Foundation, in cooperation with our international medical partner Direct Relief, continues to provide hospitals and local communities with vital medications.
Halyna Didenko, a volunteer for the ‘Vidomi’ Charity Foundation — the Yashchenko Foundation’s partner in the city and region of Kherson — explains how this assistance is changing the reality for Kherson residents.
A Full Course of Treatment Instead of a Single Pack
In the context of a humanitarian crisis, high-quality and timely medical provision is invaluable. The main value of our joint effort is that people who arrive hoping to receive at least one pack of medication are instead provided with the full course of drugs they urgently need.
Thanks to this partnership, we have managed to cover a wide range of medical requests:
- Seasonal infections: During the peak of viral illnesses, patients were almost fully provided with broad-spectrum antibiotics.
- Ongoing treatment: Hormonal (anti-allergic) medications were provided, which many people are forced to take on a regular basis.
- Specialised medications: Heart medications, blood thinners, blood pressure regulators, and kidney treatments were dispensed according to doctors’ prescriptions.
The quality of modern foreign medications pleasantly surprised both patients and volunteers: the recovery process was significantly faster, and medicines for thyroid diseases (Levothyroxine), anti-fungal creams, and eczema ointments demonstrated remarkably high efficacy.
Helping the Most Vulnerable: More Than Just Medicine
The heaviest burden of this war is borne by the most vulnerable groups: pensioners, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and low-income families. For many of them, medication consumes the lion’s share of their meagre pension or social assistance.
“When beneficiaries received their medication from us… they would say with tears in their eyes: ‘Now I won’t have to spend a fortune on this, and I’ll be able to improve my diet at least a little bit’”, shares Halyna.
Providing free medication gives people the opportunity to direct their saved funds towards proper nutrition and basic needs, literally saving them from starvation. Receiving such support, many simply cannot hold back their tears of gratitude once the cameras are turned off.
Stopping is Not an Option
Through the joint efforts of the Yashchenko Foundation and Direct Relief, we have managed to cover a huge layer of needs for Kherson residents that had previously remained unresolved. However, there is still a shortage of certain specialised medications in the city.
“Of course, we are very much hoping for further cooperation, because stopping now is absolutely not an option,” emphasises Halyna Didenko.
This assistance is a tremendous moral pillar of support, giving the civilian population and volunteers the strength and hope to carry on. The Yashchenko Foundation will continue to find resources to support those who remain in the most dangerous parts of Ukraine
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