Germany agrees additional medical aid for Ukraine

November 10, 2024

Germany agrees additional medical aid for Ukraine

type:
press release

, Date:
18 September 2024

Germany will make available an additional sum of up to 50 million euros for taking in and treating injured Ukrainian soldiers. This has been agreed by the Federal Government. The costs of in-patient medical care for war casualties are to be processed and paid by the Federal Office of Administration in a non-bureaucratic manner.

Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser said:

“For two and a half years now, people have been dying every day in Ukraine, killed by Putin’s murderous war. Many soldiers and civilians suffer terrible injuries. One thing was clear to us from the very beginning: we stand with Ukraine and the people who are experiencing inconceivable suffering. So far, we have already evacuated 1.173 seriously wounded and injured Ukrainian soldiers and civilians and treated them in German hospitals. This aid is a humanitarian imperative – and we are continuing all our efforts in this regard.”

Federal Minister of Finance Christian Lindner said:

“We continue to stand firmly with Ukraine. This assistance includes support for seriously injured soldiers who have been fighting for the freedom of their country. It is important to provide non-bureaucratic help for soldiers wounded during the war. In coming to this agreement, we are providing security for the necessary medical treatment in Germany.”

Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach said:

“Medical assistance for Ukraine is of crucial importance in the fight against Russia’s invasion. German hospitals play a key role in this. More seriously injured soldiers and civilians are treated here than in any other Western European country. I would like to thank the specialist hospitals providing the treatment. Our joint initiative aims to enable and facilitate their work. In his murderous war of aggression, Putin doesn’t even shy away from destroying medical infrastructure. We oppose this and will continue to support Ukraine in providing the best care for its seriously injured citizens.”

For more than two and a half years, Ukraine’s existence has been threatened by Russia’s war of aggression. Ukrainians are defending their country against Russia’s war of aggression, making immense personal sacrifices. Many soldiers in Ukraine are injured or killed in battle. Transferring war casualties, many of whom have severe injuries, to Germany for treatment poses a special challenge for Ukraine, whose entire infrastructure, including hospitals, is under attack from Russia.
Germany continues to stand firmly with Ukraine, which is why it pledged to treat injured Ukrainians in Germany early on in 2022. Hospitals in Germany support this initiative by providing their expertise to ensure excellent treatment for Ukrainian soldiers. Taking in and treating these soldiers is an important part in supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion.

In the past few years, admission procedures and aid structures have led to administrative burden and processing problems for the people affected, the hospitals and the municipalities. These issues are set to be resolved by the Federal Government’s joint initiative.

As a result of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which violates international law, seriously injured and ill people have been evacuated from Ukraine and have received medical treatment in Germany and other EU countries since March 2022. To date, 1.173 individuals have been evacuated and treated in German hospitals. This includes both soldiers and civilians. Many of them have lost limbs and suffered gunshot and blast injuries.