Ukraine Health Crisis

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has had devastating effects. War fosters illness, disability, and death, and these can rival the toll of combat casualties. My experience in U.S. health policy and infectious disease led me to join with colleagues in work to avert and mitigate the all-too-predictable outbreaks which could not only impede Ukraine’s survival and recovery, but even directly impact other nations. This effort meant not simply urging our government to extend effective assistance, but acting in a direct effort to assist.

Ukraine’s greatest health needs will be financed by major government and philanthropic organizations – and in the last year there has been progress towards that end. In early June I travelled to Ukraine to contribute to the effort. What was planned as a brief trip expanded to encompass most of 2022! This has been a lean, self-financed operation. I have spent time with refugees, troops, health care workers, and the general public – and working with government and NGO partners, have gained a critically valuable perspective. The assistance of friends and colleagues has been helpful in covering some of the costs of that work.

Ukraine continues to rely on the efforts of thousands of international volunteers, and many of us serve without salary or substantial support. Your contributions help enable us to answer the humanitarian call to service! Thank you.