Korea University (KU) Medicine announced on March 14 that they would be dispatching medical personnel to assist Ukrainian refugees, marking the first amongst South Korean medical centers to actively provide medical support to the Eastern European nation.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has seen a cascade of humanitarian suffering, with nearly 600 civilians killed as of March 12. The nation is also on the brink of a medical catastrophe, with supplies dwindling as facilities face destruction by Russian airstrikes and dangers of an epidemic outbreak heightened with citizens crowding in bomb shelters and reception centers.

KU Medicine would dispatch 14 experts with extensive emergency relief experience, led by Professor Jo Won Min (KU Ansan Hospital, Cardiothoracic Surgery), Professor Jung Cheol Woong (KU Ansan Hospital, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery), and Professor Do Hoon Kim (KU Ansan Hospital, Family Medicine.) The crew would enter bordering Poland in March 19 and reside for two weeks, providing direct clinical assistance along with provision of medical supplies.

“We must do everything within our capabilities to help Ukrainians and Koryo-sarams,” said Professor Kim Young Hoon, Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs, “We will do our best to comprehensively provide practical assistance for refugees suffering under a humanitarian crisis.”