On the occasion of International Women’s Day, dedicated by the United Nations to the theme “Invest in women: Accelerate progress”, MOAS intends to highlight the value and importance of women within our missions, and in particular in the one we have been carrying out for two years in Ukraine.
Within our team of 150 doctors, paramedics and drivers, there are many women who, with extreme courage and dedication, have played a fundamental role in saving 40,000 people on the frontline and over 25,000 patients in local communities. Many are the stories of those who have put their lives on standby to put their skills at the disposal of society, engaging in a difficult situation of conflict to save those in need. You can read some of them in our latest book, Sirens of Hope, recently presented in London to raise awareness about the difficult conditions and the braveness of our medics working on the frontline of the war in Ukraine.
Inna’s Story
Inna is one of them. Until February 24, 2022, she leads a “normal” life, but she does not know that at any time, the war will disrupt every habit, every appearance of ordinary routine, and even her work as a doctor. That fateful morning, unlike others, Inna’s phone rang at six in the morning and many others followed that call. Her family and friends call to tell her an unimaginable news: the conflict has begun, Ukraine is under attack. She immediately went to work and began to restock the emergency rooms, looking for shelter, medicine and solutions. On day two of the war, Inna, without having yet realised the situation in which she found herself, began to work in a military hospital.
At the end of 2022, Inna decided to join the MOAS team. For over a year, Inna has been treating the serious wounds of those who risk dying on the frontline in dramatic conditions and listens to the stories of many people, unimaginable testimonies full of suffering, like the one that can only be felt in war. Saving lives almost seems like a way to feel less fear and look hope in the face. Thinking about the past and the future, about her family, about when all this will end and all can go back to the old dear habits, like those autumn evenings when she sat knitting, Imma’s hope often imagines the day when she will be able to celebrate a new beginning for Ukraine.
In her words: How to be a combat nurse – Alina
Alina, who previously worked as a physical therapist in Kyiv and is also a paramedic-obstetrician by training, joined MOAS in late March 2022 as the first Ukrainian-speaking medic. She describes her experience in the MOAS book: “I vividly remember my first patient. We were waiting for him for some time. When we received him, we examined him, administered the drugs he needed, and quickly took him to the hospital. He had an abdominal wound; he was conscious and quite stable. The military doctors who brought him to us applied bandages correctly, which prevented additional trauma. When we handed him over safely, I sighed with relief – everything was fine. This was my first extreme adrenaline trip […].
I learned the taste and smell of war. It’s very rich, unlike anything I’ve ever encountered. It’s ash, dust, gunpowder, dried blood, alcohol antiseptics, and gloves. It’s not particularly pleasant, but it’s distinctive […].
I would like to say something about our doctors and team. We have a common goal – we want to help our people survive this war, and for that we must say a big thank you to everyone who helps us, who holds the home front, who helps from abroad, who tells stories, spreads information, all of these efforts keep us together and give us the strength to keep on going. We all work towards one common goal and everyone contributes in their own way. Every donation from abroad makes it possible to save someone’s life because it can buy us a decompression needle or a chest seal” .
Final Thoughts
At MOAS, we are extremely grateful to Imma, Alina and all her colleagues who do their best every day to save lives at their own risk. Their competence, courage and resilience make them modern heroines who help to change the world for the better, to resist, to find the courage to jump beyond the obstacles. For this reason, we cannot fail to dedicate this day to them, reminding, as stated by the United Nations, that investing in women and ensuring conditions of equality and self-determination is a fundamental condition declared in every universal charter of human rights. Unfortunately, there is still a long way to go. Despite the commitment of women and girls to overcome obstacles and break down multiple stereotypes, there are still too many episodes of marginalization, inequality, and violence in every part of the world. For this reason, men must also contribute to the spread of a different model. Striving to make this possible for everyone makes the life of every woman and child and of the whole society better.
If you are interested in the work of MOAS and our partners, please follow us on social media, sign up for our newsletter and share our content. You can also reach out to us at any time via [email protected]. If you want to support our operations, please give what you can at www.moas.eu/donate.