Singapore Red Cross backs locally designed winter-proof homes as part of Ukraine aid package

SINGAPORE: To aid communities who are facing a harsh winter in Ukraine, the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) is supporting the construction of 10 locally-designed modular houses that can withstand the freezing conditions and other shocks, SRC said on Monday (Dec 12).

The homegrown humanitarian organisation has also provided generators, medical equipment, and water and sanitation systems to aid vulnerable communities in Ukraine.

“As the conflict continues into winter, many Ukrainians have found themselves cut off from power sources and without electricity or power,” Mr Benjamin Wiliam, CEO of SRC, said.

“We are working closely with donors and ground partners to support meaningful projects that will both bring some immediate relief, as well as have a lasting impact.” 

In addition to the locally-designed homes, SRC will be supporting the purchase of six power generators and the associated fuel costs to keep the generators running.

These generators can provide power and electricity for 750 people per day and will be used to power “lighthouses”, which are warming points for people to keep warm and charge their communication and medical devices.

These “lighthouses” also serve as care centres for vulnerable groups to obtain clean water, food packs and other basic necessities.

SRC added it will also continue to support vulnerable communities in Ukraine with daily necessities such as food and diapers.

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

SRC also said it has provided medical equipment and supplies such as an X-ray table, a shockwave physiotherapy device, and various medical supplies to medical facilities in Odesa, Kyiv and Uzhhorod. 

“Hospitals in Ukraine remain active in rendering health services to communities. However, many have suffered substantial damage and require assistance in continuing their services,” SRC added.

To assist with the mobility and delivery of medical services to communities who may not have access to healthcare facilities, SRC said it has procured one mobile medical clinic unit furnished with three expandable rooms for the Mykolaiv Regional Branch of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society.

The unit consists of an observation room, pharmacy, laboratory, emergency room capable of doing minor surgeries, and is equipped with a portable X-ray machine.

Since July 2022, the clinic has been deployed daily in the city of Mykolaiv and Mykolaiv Oblast, providing primary medical treatments to between 300 to 400 residents or internally displaced persons (IDPs).

10 ambulances were also procured to increase the mobility of healthcare services by the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, SRC added.

SRC is also supporting mobile health groups that engage the communities in medical services by providing equipment such as ultrasound diagnostic machines and ventilators.

WATER AND SANITATION

As displaced communities return to Ukraine, there has been an increased need for clean water and emergency filtration systems, said the SRC. Many of the infrastructures providing water to communities have been destroyed, it added.

To help improve access to clean water, SRC has provided two AquaBlock systems and two ROAMfilter systems to communities in Ukraine. 

AquaBlock is a community drinking water system that produces 1,500L of water per hour to support the daily requirements of up to 10,000 people, while the ROAMfilter systems are portable manual filtration systems capable of producing over 200L of water per hour without the need for electricity. 

SRC said it is in the midst of procuring further water filtration systems for communities in Ukraine.

Besides providing access to clean water, the organisation is also working with several volunteer-led groups to provide care packs containing hygiene items, baby kits and other essential items for vulnerable groups in Ukraine.