EU Civil Protection Mechanism evacuates 5,000 patients from Ukraine for urgent treatment

The European Commission has facilitated the safe transfer of over 5,000 patients from Ukraine to hospitals in 22 countries across Europe for specialised medical care under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. 

This figure was reached last week with the latest flights on 15 April, bringing patients to Finland, Germany, the Netherlands and Norway.

Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib said that these medical evacuations “show Europe at its best, saving lives through solidarity and swift cooperation”. She added that the EU would continue to strengthen its collective response to protect those most in need.

Launched after the start of Russia’s war of aggression and coordinated through the Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre in close collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, evacuations have enabled patients suffering from severe injuries, chronic illnesses and complex conditions to receive timely and often life-saving treatment. 

This is the largest medical evacuation operation ever coordinated under the European Civil Protection Mechanism, the EU Delegation to Ukraine says in a press release.

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Press release