Over 5,000 evacuations from Ukraine facilitated by EU since 2022

More than 5,000 patients have been evacuated from war-torn Ukraine to hospitals across Europe for emergency treatment since Russia’s full-scale invasion began more than four years ago, the European Commission said on Thursday.

These evacuations show “Europe at its best, saving lives through solidarity and rapid cooperation,” said Hadja Lahbib, the EU crisis commissioner.

The patients were transferred to hospitals in 22 European countries, including Norway, which is not a member of the European Union.

Evacuations of patients suffering from serious injuries, chronic illnesses or complex pathologies are coordinated by the European Commission in collaboration with the Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organization (WHO).

It is the largest medical evacuation operation organized under the EU’s European Civil Protection Mechanism, the commission said.

“The EU remains committed to supporting Ukraine’s health system and ensuring that the most vulnerable people receive the care they need,” read a statement.