MDA israel

In a special ceremony held at MDA's new Blood Services Center, certificates of recognition were presented to MDA delegations who volunteered to assist refugees and victims of the war in Ukraine, shortly after the war began. The delegations operated a Jewish-community clinic on the border of Moldova and Ukraine alongside Ichilov Hospital, worked alongside the German Red Cross at rescuing injured victims, the elderly and the disabled who couldn't escape themselves from Ukraine, and taught life-saving first aid to the civilian population, among other activities. 

The delegations were given two main missions. The first, with MDA doctors, paramedics and EMTs, alongside doctors from Ichilov Hospital, was to set up a field hospital on the border of Moldova and Ukraine, where many refugees attended for treatment after escaping Ukraine. The second mission involved joining the German and Ukrainian Red Cross, with MDA EMTs and Paramedics joined the organizations' ambulances and rescued the sick, those with complex injuries, and the disabled from Ukraine. 

During the ceremony, several volunteers spoke about their experiences over the long period of time that they spent at the clinic, as well as in Mikolaev and Odessa in Ukraine, and told of meeting the injured who had survived the battles. 40 members of the delegations received certificates of recognition for their efforts and humanitarian aid. 

Representatives of the delegations: "Four months ago we headed into the unknown. All the training we did beforehand didn't prepare for what we would see or experience. Some of us were in the clinic and other inside Ukraine, to places where there was heavy bombing. We had many difficult and challenging times, but also happy moments when we saved lives, and that's the most important thing." 

MDA Paramedic Racheli Ikar - Red Cross Department and Head of delegation: "Along with the Jewish community in Moldova, and the German and Ukrainian Red Cross, we established joint teams around the clock to help the refugees and victims of the war in Ukraine. We went into the war, with sirens and bomb shelters, and risked our lives more than once. Thanks to you, we represented MDA with honor." 

Craig Strathern, MDA/ICRC collaboration coordinator: "I turned to MDA because I knew that we at the Red Cross could really use the help of people who can speak Russian and Ukrainian, as well as being medically skilled, and I received an immediate positive reply. I know it's not easy to leave an easy life at home and fly somewhere unknown. I've heard only good reports from my colleagues. Thank you." 

MDA Red Cross Department Director, Uri Shacham: "You have proved that there are still good people in the world who want to provide a helping hand. Over the last few months you have done something that hasn't been done for years, and this will have wide-ranging long-term impacts. This is something that neither you or we will forget, so thank you." 

MDA Director General, Eli Bin: "I want to thank each one of you for leaving your families behind and flying into the unknown in the war in Ukraine. I imagine that this wasn't easy but you have done something hugely important in helping those whose world has collapsed around them in an instant. You can be proud of yourselves that you provided the most professional treatment in the most difficult of circumstances."