A delegation from the Netherlands Red Cross familiarised itself with the work of its Ukrainian counterparts

A delegation from the Netherlands Red Cross (NRC) recently visited Ukraine to gain insight into the operations of its Ukrainian counterpart, the Ukrainian Red Cross (URCS). Led by NRC Director-General Garm Goossens, the delegation met with URCS President Maksym Dotsenko, who provided an overview of the organization's primary areas of work, the magnitude of their humanitarian response, and the challenges they face.

During their visit, the NRC delegation toured various regions of Ukraine, including Zhytomyr and Chernihiv. In Zhytomyr, they met with volunteers and beneficiaries in the Korosten District Organisation of the URCS, gaining firsthand experience of the organization's support efforts. In Chernihiv, they explored the regional organization's programmes aimed at assisting the population, paying special attention to the activities of mobile rehabilitation teams.

The delegation also paid a visit to Kyiv, where they examined the restoration of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine's Centre for Paediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery. The URCS had been instrumental in repairing this facility following a Russian missile strike on July 8, 2024. Furthermore, the NRC representatives learned about the workings of URCS's rapid response teams and their collaboration with the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.

A key aspect of the visit involved touring the site of a Russian strike in Kyiv, allowing the NRC delegation to observe the aftermath of the enemy attack and better understand the challenges faced by the Ukrainian people. Throughout their journey, the NRC delegation and URCS partners engaged in discussions on potential further cooperation and support for those affected by the ongoing conflict.