New Zealanders Hand Over Ambulances to the Ukrainian Armed Forces

Sergii Kostezh | September 10, 2024, 5:48 pm

These several dozen vehicles were sourced and purchased with donations from New Zealanders and Australians by the International Fund for Assistance to Ukraine, KIWI K.A.R.E., in collaboration with colleagues from the Ukrainian Day by Day Foundation.

All the ambulances are equipped with primary care facilities, stretchers for evacuation, and provisions for assisting the wounded. They can also be retrofitted with additional equipment, such as defibrillators.

“There are only 23 – 7 from New Zealand, 16 from Australia. And 10 more are expected to arrive soon from New Zealand. That means there will be 33 in total. All of them will be delivered to the military. Each is equipped with oxygen equipment and basic medical aid tools,” said Tenby Powell, a representative of the Kiwi K.A.R.E. International Foundation.

The vehicles are in good technical condition and somewhat unusual for Ukrainian drivers, as they have right-hand drive.

“But trust me, it’s a small problem for the military,” Powell smiles.

The military is already inspecting the new vehicles. They are pleased to receive such resources for transporting the wounded.

“Yes, they are not all-wheel drive, but we will use them between stabilization points and hospitals. It’s important that everything here is in working order; we don’t need to make additional repairs to the vehicles or equipment. We can connect oxygen devices, masks, resuscitation equipment, and wheelchairs are in good condition. There are even stretchers for the wounded,” says serviceman Oleksandr Shpak.

The ambulances are being dispatched directly from the center of Kyiv to the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to Powell, 10 more are expected to arrive in Ukraine in the new year.