According to the government website, EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič, together with the Minister of Health and Welfare Ingvild Kjerkol, were shown around the planes used to evacuate patients from Ukraine when they arrived in Oslo on Monday, June 5.
– I would like to thank Norway for continuing to be one of the most active and credible members of the EU Civil Preparedness Program (UCPM). This program drives European solidarity into action. Since last year, Norway has played a fundamental role in the EU's operation to evacuate patients from Ukraine to hospitals across Europe. I am confident that the Norwegian team will provide highly professional and dedicated assistance well into the future, both in Europe and beyond.
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The Commissioner saw three different planes and a special ambulance: the SAS plane, which, in cooperation with the Norwegian Armed Forces, is used to evacuate patients from Ukraine, the RescEU plane, which transports patients with high-risk infections in Europe, and the Hercules plane, which can be converted into a patient transport.
– Medevac operations demonstrate European cooperation and solidarity at its best. I am proud of the work being done at the operational level, and especially of the efforts made in our joint healthcare service – says Kjerkol.
Of the nearly 1000 patients, 250 were treated in Norway
Many countries in Europe have hospital treatment capacity but no transport capacity. The Norwegian airlift helps to ensure that existing hospital capacity in many countries can be used to relieve healthcare in Ukraine.
Thanks to the EU civil preparedness programme, Norway is the country that has transported the most patients for treatment to hospitals in Europe. Norway is also the second largest country receiving Medevac patients. Since the beginning of the medical evacuation, Norway has helped transport nearly 1000 patients. About 250 of these patients were treated in Norwegian hospitals.
Children at war
During his visit to Norway, Lenarčič will also meet Minister of Justice and Emergency Situations Emilie Enger Mehl. Will also take part in international conference dedicated to the protection of children affected by war and conflicts together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt. Norway is organizing the conference together with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Save the Children. The conference is also organized in cooperation with the UN Office for Crisis Response Coordination, the UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict and the African Union.
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Credit/Photo: regjeringen
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