Portable connectivity centre deployed to Ukraine to help refugees

Charity Computer Aid International has teamed up with several organisations from across the world to deploy a portable connectivity container (PCC) on the ground in Ukraine.

The PCCs are solar-powered shipping containers being deployed in Ukraine and neighbouring countries, to help refugees gain access to resources and communicate with friends and family.

However, this collaboration between Computer Aid International, Geeks without Frontiers, Community Organised Relief Effort (CORE), Volyn Medical Institute and Simplyhealth has led to the first PCC to provide medical training too.

Simplyhealth donated £30,000 towards the construction of the centre, while Volyn Medical Institute has provided medical students to be trained on providing healthcare to refugees, alongside their paramedic training. Keith Sonnet, CEO at Computer Aid, said: “It’s important for Simplyhealth and us to place emphasis on the health issues – both physical and psychological – and do everything that we can to help.”

Tetiana Pastryk from Volyn Medical Institute said: “Communal higher educational institution Volyn Medical Institute is alma mater for more than 700 students that, with the help of PPC, will qualify as paramedics. It will provide them with the necessary space for their studies and high-tech equipment that they can use for building up their skills as future life-savers.

“The importance of this qualification does not need any explanation, and at this very difficult time for Ukraine and the whole world, it is even more important that we provide opportunities for students to study and become agents of the healthcare system.”