The Ukrainian Red Cross and International Support: Working Together for Social Good in the Region

The Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Military Administration hosted a roundtable discussion on The Ukrainian Red Cross and International Support: Working Together for Social Good in the Region, organised by the Ivano-Frankivsk regional branch of the Ukrainian Red Cross. The event brought together representatives from the Ukrainian Red Cross’s international partners, including the Japanese, German, and Swiss Red Crosses, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, as well as officials from relevant departments of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Military Administration. Svitlana Onyshchuk, Head of the Regional Military Administration, also attended the event.

The participants discussed key issues related to humanitarian activity in the region and prospects for developing cooperation to ensure effective assistance for the population.

“Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the Ukrainian Red Cross has provided significant assistance to the residents of the region and internally displaced persons. We started with basic support — providing food, clothing, and humanitarian kits. Thanks to our international partners, we were able to expand our assistance to cover social and medical facilities, as well as support other vulnerable groups. As of today, the total amount of assistance provided in the region exceeds UAH 500 million,” stated Valerii Starchenko, Head of the Ivano-Frankivsk regional branch of the Ukrainian Red Cross.

The following issues were discussed during the event:

• The experience and impact of the Ukrainian Red Cross in the humanitarian sphere of the region since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
• Presentation of future initiatives and programmes of the Ukrainian Red Cross planned for implementation in the region.
• Discussion of opportunities to develop joint projects between the authorities, international partners, and humanitarian organisations.

Following the meeting, a memorandum of cooperation between the Ukrainian Red Cross and the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Military Administration is set to be signed. This document will formalise further coordination of joint humanitarian initiatives and help improve the effectiveness of assistance to the population of the region.