MEDEVAC Programme in Ukraine
The MEDEVAC Programme started to operate in Ukraine in 2014 in response to the Maidan unrest. In the years 2014-2015, approximately 50 patients who had been injured during the Maidan events were transported to the Czech Republic for treatment under the Programme. After initial treatment was provided and after the patients were transported back to Ukraine, the MEDEVAC Programme continued to support their recovery and started to develop cooperation with Ukraine in the field of rehabilitation and physical therapy.
After escalation of the conflict with Russia in February 2022, urgent humanitarian medical assistance was provided to Ukraine under the MEDEVAC Programme based on Government Resolution No. 131 of 25 February 2022 on the Provision of Special Assistance to Ukraine. Furthermore, Government Resolution No. 855 of 12 October 2022 (on the Programme of Humanitarian, Stabilisation, Reconstruction and Economic Assistance to Ukraine in the Years 2023-2025), an amount of CZK 120 million was allocated for the Ministry of the Interior, from which indicatively CZK 45 million was earmarked for assistance to Ukraine under the MEDEVAC Programme. This assistance was provided according to requests from Ukrainian hospitals, the Embassy of Ukraine in the Czech Republic or non-profit organisations and took on the form of educational stays of medical staff from Ukraine in the Czech Republic, the training of medical staff and support for medical missions to Ukraine (on the assumption that there is an adequate security situation in Ukraine), support for projects focused on the healthcare system (particularly the projects of international non-governmental organisations), direct support in kind (medical consumables) and acceptance of selected persons for treatment and rehabilitation in the Czech Republic (including their family members).