Ukraine Appeals To Malaysia To Strengthen Humanitarian Assistance

By Nur Atiq Maisarah Suhaimi & & Nur Elysa Amirah Suhaimi

KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 (Bernama) -- Ukraine has appealed to Malaysia to strengthen its humanitarian assistance, citing urgent needs for medical supplies, rescue equipment and post-conflict recovery support. 

The Charge d'Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Ukraine in Malaysia, Denys Mykhailiuk, said the most vital needs at this time also include rescue operations, post-conflict demining, and forensic investigations into alleged war crimes, as well as engineering and energy equipment.

"We need everything, but what is needed for immediate needs is something for the emergency response, field hospitals, bloodstopping equipment, surgical equipment and engineering and energy equipment.

“Malaysian manufacturing is very much in need. To rebuild the infrastructure and bridges and remove the rubble, we need excavators, bulldozers, trucks, and other heavy machinery.

"We also need significant international assistance. If Malaysia can participate, it would be nice," he said.

Mykhailiuk was met after appearing on Bernama TV's programme ‘The Nation, Bridging Continents: Malaysia & Ukraine Relations In Focus’, hosted by Nadiah Abdul Latif, here on Tuesday.

On February 2023, the Malaysian government – through the Health Ministry (MoH) – contributed medical aid worth RM227,984 to the Ukraine government, consisting of medicine such as Levothyroxine Sodium 100 mcg tablets, Fentanyl Citrate 50mcg/millilitre (ml) in 2ml injections, Amikacin 250mg/ml in 2ml injections and Propofol 10mg/ml injection.

Mykhailiuk added that Ukraine envisioned Malaysia playing a pivotal role as an early partner in its fast recovery plan to rebuild national infrastructure once the conflict ends.

"Malaysia also might become the gateway for Ukrainian goods to ASEAN markets as one of the countries that has the most developed infrastructure and port facilities," he said.

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine since February 2022 has resulted in the deaths of over 13,341 civilians and injuries to more than 32,744 people, according to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

-- BERNAMA