We’re excited to share that a significant shipment of medical supplies has safely arrived in Ukraine, thanks to the generous support of our long-standing partners at Action Medeor. The delivery included over eight pallets of essential medicines and equipment, all of which were entirely donated and shipped by Action Medeor to support MOAS’ healthcare work on the ground. From infusion solutions and painkillers to examination gloves, these items are already making a significant difference for our teams in the country.
How this supports MOAS
At MOAS, we operate a 24/7 medical evacuation program in Ukraine, focusing on transporting critically injured patients from frontline zones to hospitals where they can receive the necessary treatment. With a fleet of 52 ambulances and a team of over 150 trained Ukrainian staff, we work across multiple regions, providing emergency care and safe transfers under often dangerous conditions. Since 2022, MOAS has treated and saved 70.000 patients, without losing a single life. This latest delivery from Action Medeor is already enhancing our capacity to respond, and we are immensely grateful.
To highlight this significant act of solidarity, we interviewed the team at Action Medeor about who they are, how the donation came together, and what it takes to deliver aid like this to where it’s needed most.
Can you briefly introduce Action Medeor and its mission?
“Action Medeor – The world’s emergency pharmacy – is Europe’s largest medical aid organization. Since 1964, it has been dedicated to enhancing healthcare in low-income countries and crisis regions worldwide. Headquartered in Germany, Action Medeor supplies essential medicines and medical equipment to healthcare facilities in more than 100 countries. The organisation works closely with local partners to strengthen health systems and ensure that even the most vulnerable populations have access to life-saving treatment. Its mission is simple yet powerful: No one suffers or dies from treatable or preventable diseases.”
How did the organisation get started, and how has your mission evolved?
“Action Medeor was founded in 1964 in Germany. A group of committed individuals came together with the goal to provide reliable access to essential medicines in regions lacking basic healthcare infrastructure. Over the decades, the mission has evolved from simply delivering medical supplies to a more comprehensive approach that includes strengthening local health systems, disaster relief, and long-term partnerships with communities. Today, Action Medeor not only ships medicines but also supports education, training, and sustainable health projects to improve access to healthcare worldwide. The core mission remains the same: ensuring that people everywhere, especially the most vulnerable, have access to the medicines and care they need to live healthy lives.”
What led you to support MOAS Ukraine?
“Our relationship with MOAS dates back to 2017. Most recently, we collaborated on a project in Sudan, where we successfully delivered IHEK kits to the United Nations (UNHCR). That experience was not only smooth but also enriching, making it an easy decision to partner with MOAS again. We have dedicated funds available for Ukraine and are genuinely pleased to support trusted partners already active in the region. In a country where access to healthcare and medical aid is more critical than ever, we’re proud to contribute to meaningful, life-saving work.”
Where is Action Medeor currently providing medical aid?
“Action Medeor supports over 100 countries worldwide, mainly in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.”
About the Donation
How do you assess and prioritise requests for medical donations?
“The first and most crucial step is identifying a genuine need for medications or medical supplies. This is the foundation of any effective aid delivery. We also evaluate the broader humanitarian context in the country, the presence and capabilities of our local partners, and the reliability of the requesting organisations. Only when all these elements align can we ensure that our support will have a real and lasting impact.”
Could you provide more information about the specific medical supplies that were donated and their intended uses?
The shipment to MOAS Ukraine included a variety of essential medicines and consumables, including examination gloves. These gloves are crucial in humanitarian settings—for infection control, wound care, hygiene in emergency shelters, food distribution, water treatment, and laboratory work.
The donation also comprised key emergency care items: painkillers, plasma volume expanders to replace lost fluids, infusion solutions to correct fluid and electrolyte imbalances, and medications to support heart function. Each item was chosen to address urgent medical needs in crisis conditions.
What did the preparation and shipment process involve on your side?
At Action Medeor, our entire process is built around efficiency, quality assurance, and collaboration. It begins with a detailed needs assessment and quotation phase. We verify which items are in stock, what needs to be sourced, expected delivery times, and whether partial shipments are advisable, especially for large or time-sensitive orders. Once the order is confirmed, we coordinate internally with our purchasing and logistics teams. The goods are picked, quality-checked, packed, and prepared for shipment. We then select the most suitable transport method—air, land, or sea—based on urgency, budget, destination, and shipment size. Qualified logistics partners manage the transport, while we prepare all necessary export documentation, including pro forma invoices, packing lists, donation certificates, and quality assurance documents. These are shared with our partners in advance to ensure smooth customs clearance or an import application process and to avoid delays at borders.
What would you like people to better understand about medical aid in crisis zones?
“Speed and precision save lives. In humanitarian crises—whether caused by conflict, natural disasters, or displacement—every hour counts. Our teams must act quickly and accurately. This necessitates working closely with local partners, understanding the actual needs on the ground, and ensuring the right supplies reach the right place at the right time.
Logistics are complex and expensive. Delivering medical aid is a substantial logistical undertaking. In 2021 alone, Action Medeor shipped nearly 20,000 packages weighing 380 tons to 72 countries. Transport costs are considerable and reaching remote or conflict-affected areas often requires innovative solutions and strong partnerships.
Local partnerships are crucial. We never work alone. Our impact relies on trusted local partners—hospitals, NGOs, and community health workers—who understand their communities and can ensure that aid is used effectively and responsibly.
Final Thoughts
This donation is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through trust, cooperation, and shared humanitarian values.
As MOAS continues its medical evacuation and frontline care operations across Ukraine, the support from Action Medeor ensures that our teams remain equipped and ready to respond.
We are deeply grateful to Action Medeor for their generosity, for their trust, and for standing with us in support of those most in need.
If you’re interested in supporting MOAS’ efforts or learning more about our ongoing projects, follow us on social media, sign up for our newsletter below, or contact us at [email protected]. To support our mission directly, please consider donating to www.moas.eu/donate.