All too often in the 21st century, conflicts between nations and cultures have continued to devastate the health and well-being of people, animals and the environment, collectively violating core One Health principles. The current war being waged by Russia in Ukraine is resulting in unconscionable loss of life, homes, families, towns and cities, destroying the socioeconomic fabric of an entire country while creating an unprecedented refugee crisis, both inside and outside of Ukraine.
As a major exporter of wheat, collapse of Ukraine's agricultural sector is having negative consequences not only for the domestic economy, but for global food security, particularly in developing countries. Compounding these tragic realities, displaced Ukrainians will increasingly suffer the protracted physical and mental harms that accompany the destruction of relationships, loss of income, shelter, food, water and medical care, all creating health dysfunctions that are multiplied in the midst of a global viral pandemic.
At the same time, animal welfare is being severely compromised, whether in the context of farms, zoos or companion animals, as both urban and rural environments are decimated.
The Institute for Global Health and Health Policy (IGHHP) is partnering with the humanitarian efforts of Jeff Schrager, an American Airlines pilot, and his colleagues who are currently evacuating Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war into Poland. Jeff is paying for much of this personally, and IGHHP is working to assist in raising the funds needed to meet the costs of this humanitarian outreach. Thus far, arrangements have been made to deploy a full-sized 52 passenger bus and two 7 seat vans for evacuee transport to safe shelter and to travel transit hubs in Poland and beyond.
ABC News and The Signal of Santa Clarita Valley of Santa Clarita Valley, both in Fresno, California, posted accounts, along with images from Poland, describing the humanitarian efforts of Jeff and his team in transporting Ukrainian refugees to safety in rented vans and a bus.
Evacuation of Ukrainian refugees into Poland by Jeff and colleagues connects the victims of war to their future lives, which will be forever changed as they seek to reestablish their access to the fundamental requisites of One Health - safe food, water, shelter, medical care, economic security and general well-being for themselves, their animals and their environment.
Ukrainian refugees are waiting in line to travel to safety on a full-sized 52-passenger bus.
Once the gates are open, refugees load their belongings on the bus.
Leaving their homes and all of their possessions, except what they could pack in a suitcase, refugees wait to board a bus that will take them to safety.
Jeff's colleagues load the belongings of families on the bus.
Another group of refugees wait to board a 7-seat van.
Refugees are ready to ride to safety in a van.
A precious seat on the bus has been secured and the journey to safety begins.
As part of their journey to safety, Ukrainian refugees spend the night in crowded conditions on cots that are placed end to end.
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