Today, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Mars, Incorporated announced that Mars, Incorporated will donate $4 million to support the Agency's mission to ease the strains on Ukraine's health system caused by the Russian Federation's brutal war against Ukraine.
The donation, provided by Mars, Incorporated to USAID, will help to expand access to basic healthcare services, including mental health and rehabilitation for victims of the war, as well as supporting Ukrainians who have been displaced by the violence or affected by the Kremlin's continued targeting of critical infrastructure. The donation will also help meet the health needs of discharged veterans and other war victims, who require increased access to primary and mental healthcare services due to the physical injuries and the mental trauma they have experienced.
The Russian Federation's brutal, full-scale invasion has placed enormous strains on Ukraine's healthcare system. The Russian Federation's Armed Forces have killed or injured tens of thousands of people, damaged more than 1,500 healthcare facilities and pharmacies, made it difficult for healthcare providers to access the medicines and equipment they need to provide high quality care, and forced thousands to make harrowing journeys simply to access treatment. Moreover, as the Russian Federation's military assault inflicts trauma on Ukrainians across the country, the need for mental health services has risen exponentially.
In response, the United States government has doubled its annual health assistance to help Ukraine maintain its public health system and restore essential services like treatment for tuberculosis and HIV. Through direct budget support to the government of Ukraine, USAID is also supporting the continuity of health services by supporting the salaries of more than 517,000 health workers. In May 2022, just months after the full-scale invasion, USAID also launched a new five-year activity to help Ukraine increase preparedness for public health threats, strengthen immunization services, and expand mental health services. These efforts are in addition to the nearly $96 million USAID has provided to humanitarian partners who are delivering healthcare services across Ukraine.
USAID is grateful for the pledge Mars, Incorporated has made to support those who have been directly impacted by Russia's senseless war. USAID remains committed to working with partners to respond to the immediate health needs of Ukrainians while also helping Ukraine to emerge from this war stronger, including by supporting the government to build a health system that is transparent, efficient, and responsive to the needs of the Ukrainian people.
