February 24, 2025, marks the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a grim milestone in a conflict that has triggered devastating humanitarian consequences. As the war rages on, the needs of millions of Ukrainians continue to grow. Today, we reflect on the impact of this conflict and reaffirm MOAS’s unwavering commitment to providing vital medical assistance to those who need it most.
Despite years of international aid, the humanitarian situation in Ukraine remains dire. Approximately 12.7 million people, a staggering third of the country’s population, need humanitarian assistance. Recent escalations in fighting, particularly in the Donetsk region and near Kyiv, have worsened the situation. Civilian areas are increasingly under attack, leading to more casualties and more significant needs for medical care and evacuation services.
MOAS Providing Critical Medical Aid
Since the early days of the expanded invasion in 2022- when we started with medical evacuations of seriously ill children to places of safety – MOAS has been on the ground in Ukraine, delivering critical support to those affected by the war. Our current operations are built on a strong foundation of local expertise. We operate a fleet of 50 ambulances manned by 150 dedicated all-Ukrainian medical professionals and drivers.
Every week, MOAS’s brave staff carry out 500-700 casevac (casualty evacuation) operations, risking their own lives to extract severely wounded soldiers from some of the most dangerous battlefields of the war and take them to safety.
They provide essential medical care, attending to trauma injuries caused by artillery fire, small arms, and other battlefield incidents, and provide basic and advanced life support to both soldiers and civilians impacted by the conflict.
This has enabled thousands of young men to recover from their injuries and return to their lives and families.
Impact and Reach – Saving Lives Daily
On this anniversary day, we reflect on the profound impact of our mission:
- 66,000 lives saved with frontline evacuations, without a single loss – a testament to the teams’ precision, skill, and dedication.
- Nearly 26,000 civilians treated in the Mobile Medical Unit.
- 50 ambulances fully equipped to handle the rigours of the conflict zone.
- 72% of all evacuations from the frontline in Ukraine have been carried out by us.
- 27 evacuation teams of all Ukrainian doctors, medics, and drivers risking their lives daily for the sake of others
These accomplishments underscore our commitment and the tremendous need for medical assistance across the country. Our brave teams are available around the clock and constantly in motion, as the violence and need for emergency medical care and evacuation never cease.
The book “Sirens of Hope – The MOAS Mission to Save Lives in Ukraine”, gives deeper insights into our mission in Ukraine. It offers a vivid portrait of the doctors, nurses and drivers whose lives have been turned upside down by the war and shows how their dedication makes the MOAS mission successful.
Escalation and Resource Limitations
The recent intensification of the conflict has presented new challenges for MOAS. The expanded conflict zone stretches our resources thin. At the same time, increased attacks on civilian areas make it more difficult and dangerous for our teams to reach those in need and putting unprecedented pressure on our fleet and medical professionals.
In addition, MOAS faces a severe funding shortage, threatening our ability to continue operations. Without additional support, MOAS may be forced to halt operations, a catastrophic outcome given our responsibility for evacuating a large percentage of critical casualties.
Christopher Catrambone, MOAS Founder and Head of the mission in Ukraine, become the Ukrainian army’s main critical casevac provider—meaning we evacuate the most severely wounded soldiers, day in and day out. After three years of wealthy donors’ support, we have run out of money.”
Monthly costs for the team of 150 medics, working in 50 state-of-the-art ambulances, run at $1m, the price of a Storm Shadow missile.
Looking Ahead
As we mark three years of conflict and humanitarian response in Ukraine, it is clear that the need for support remains critical. MOAS is committed to providing vital medical care and evacuation services, but we cannot do it alone.
“If we have to stop our operation, huge numbers of Ukrainian soldiers will die,” Catrambone continued.“In the words of a Ukrainian general, it will be a complete catastrophe. They’re overstretched and cannot do what we do. Nor can any other NGO in Ukraine. That’s why we are asking for support today. It’s our last throw of the dice. It’s do or die”.
There is no clear end to the conflict in sight. On this anniversary, we remain committed to saving lives in Ukraine for as long as possible, standing by the side of the brave Ukrainian people in their quest for peace and justice.
Donate now. Help us save lives: https://www.moas.eu/donate-moas-ukraine-2/