Estonia and BGV Charity Fund to create rehabilitation center for war victims In Zhytomyr region
The BGV Charity Fund, with the support of President Kersti Kaljulaid (2016–2021), the Estonian Foreign Ministry, and the Estonian Ministry of Health, is planning to set up a modern rehabilitation center to aid both military and civilian victims of Russian aggression who have lost limbs and need rehabilitation.
The head of the Ukrainian delegation for inter–parliamentary relations with Estonia, Arseniy Pushkarenko, brought up this issue during the delegation's recent official visit.
"It is worth noting that since the beginning of the full-scale aggression, Estonia has provided enormous support to Ukraine, including helping rehabilitate the military. Unfortunately, the number of people who lose limbs and need prosthetics is increasing daily because of the war. So now negotiations are underway with Estonia regarding the creation of a rehabilitation center for Ukrainians. In it, our Heroes can get state-of-the-art prostheses and undergo appropriate medical rehabilitation. At the same time, as long as preparations for the implementation of this project continue, we are already acting and working to help our defenders return to a full life as soon as possible," said Arseniy Pushkarenko, head of the Zhytomyr regional party "Sluha Narodu" ["Servant of the People" is the liberal, centrist, pro-European political party in Ukraine – ed.]
In particular, in 2023, the Government of the Republic of Estonia allocated 3 million euros for rehabilitating the Ukrainian military. Six defenders have already received modern prosthetics and undergone rehabilitation. All expenses for their treatment were covered by Estonia and logistics by the BGV Foundation. Soldiers who have lost limbs are fitted with modern bionic prostheses as part of the program. In general, it is planned that in 2023, 20 Ukrainian soldiers will receive such prosthetics and rehabilitation from Estonia.
During an official business trip to Tallinn, Arseniy Pushkarenko was able to familiarize himself with the rehabilitation conditions of Ukrainian service members at the base of one of the Tallinn hospitals. After installing the prosthesis, the soldiers undergo a two-week rehabilitation course, and physiotherapists and psychologists work with the patients daily.
"It is impossible to overestimate the importance of this project. For our Heroes, this is a chance to return to a full life! And even more, the fighter with whom I had the opportunity to talk told me that he couldn't wait to stand up for the defense of the Motherland again in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," he noted.
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Throughout last year, Estonia has made every effort to provide comprehensive support to Ukraine. The country has supported Ukraine politically, economically, and militarily, ensured crucial humanitarian aid and launched reconstruction efforts. Estonia has helped Ukrainian refugees, by offering social protection and wide range of healthcare services.
Ongoing rehabilitation project is initiated by the Ministry of Social Affairs of Estonia in cooperation with Estonian Defence Forces and East Tallinn Central Hospital. Estonia has carried out different cooperation projects with Ukraine in the field of rehabilitation since 2014.
The BGV Charity Fund was founded by Ukrainian entrepreneur and philanthropist Hennadii Butkevych to organize aid to Ukraine during the war and rebuild the country after the victory. The fund is engaged in the search, purchase, legal support, and organization of the delivery of humanitarian aid to Ukraine for those in need — children, vulnerable population groups, military, medical institutions, and volunteer organizations. The fund works to protect, restore and develop Ukraine. The partners of the BGV fund are responsible businesses from Ukraine and all over Europe. The charity organization cooperates with companies in Germany, Italy, Estonia, Austria, Poland, Romania, etc. During the year of the large-scale war in Ukraine, the BGV Charity Fund delivered more than 300 trucks of humanitarian aid from Europe. This is almost 6,000 tons of goods, with the commercial value reaching more than UAH 300 million. As of today, the fund has already attracted about $10.5 million of support for Ukraine, both direct financing and commodity support. Humanitarian projects of the fund cover 23 regions of Ukraine. More than 250 institutions and organizations in Ukraine received humanitarian aid delivered from Europe by the BGV team.
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