JOINews March


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Monthly Newsletter

March 2021

News from the Network

JOIN Annual Review 2020

Our Annual Review 2020 sums up an extraordinary year dedicated to combating the devasting consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff and volunteers of our members delivered inestimable services to the sick and their families, supported national health services and helped with the implementation of COVID-19 testing centres as well as the administration of the vaccine. Read about the various activities of our members, the anniversary of our Volunteer Swap programme, the work of the JOIN Office and our projects in 2020 here.

JOIN Board meets online

On 23^rd March, the JOIN Board met online to discuss the latest activities within the network as well as the organisation of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2021. Because of the persistence of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was decided to postpone the face-to-face meeting until later in 2021. If circumstances still do not allow us to meet physically in October, an online meeting will be held. Continue reading

JOIN members at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic

One year after the announcement of the pandemic by the World Health Organization, many of our members look back on their work over the past 12 months. Our Austrian member administered 90,000 tests, transported over 3,500 people who were suspected of having COVID-19 and accommodated 1,300 people in its two homeless shelters with medical care. Austrian volunteers gave over 95,000 hours of their time. Find all about the various activities within the JOIN network here.

News from the Members

England: massive deployment of St John Ambulance volunteers for vaccination programme

Our English member recruited and trained 30,000 volunteers to support the national vaccination programme. In the past 12 months, St John volunteers gave around 400,000 hours of their time, including more than 100,000 hours supporting the NHS COVID-19 vaccination programme; 120,000 hours as emergency ambulance crew; 125,000 hours in hospital emergency departments and on wards; and over 50,000 hours supporting other health and first aid initiatives in communities. Continue reading

England: Prime Minister thanks St John vaccination volunteers

Prime Minister Boris Johnson joined a video call to thank St John Ambulance’s vaccination volunteers. Recognising the immense effort of volunteers in vaccination centres across the country, he took the opportunity to thank individuals for their hard work and took a virtual tour of the Truro Showground vaccination centre in Cornwall. Continue reading

Germany: Ambassador in Ukraine thanks Johanniter Christmas truckers

Anka Feldhusen, the German ambassador in Ukraine, officially thanked the Johanniter Christmas truckers for the efforts and help to Ukrainians. The Johanniter coordinator Jörg Drescher was present at the small ceremony in Kiev. Ambassador Feldhusen was particularly impressed that the relief operation was carried out despite the logistics being hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic - especially as the need is even greater than usual right now. This is the fourth time that the Christmas truckers have helped in Ukraine.

Jerusalem: St John Eye Hospital provides update on current situation

The St John Eye Hospital reported that their voluntary income did not fall to a level as originally anticipated one year ago and thanked its donors. All staff at the Jerusalem Hospital have received their vaccines, and the staff in the West Bank and Gaza are in the process of getting vaccinated. Between January to February, 20,083 outpatients were treated by the group, a decrease by 7% compared to the same period in pre-Covid 2020. The major eye operations performed in January and February were merely 4% less than in the same period a year ago. At the Gaza Hospital, outpatient clinical activities have remained steady and at the same level as 2020. Read more here

Hungary: Johannita supports locals during the pandemic

Our Hungarian member performed more than 2,000 tests via its ambulance service around Budapest and supplied those who are fighting in the frontlines with several food supplies. Additionally, Johannita distributed three trucks of cakes to several health care institutes and the Directorate for Social and Children Wellfare. Also, similar quantity was donated to Roma municipalities.

News from Europe

EU ModEx celebrates ten years of existence

After more than 100 exercises for European civil protection modules since 2010 with Johanniter as a major partner, EU MODEX celebrated its success with two major broadcasts this month. In the EUCP Think Tank, representatives from the civil protection and humanitarian aid community and beyond discussed future challenges and developments in this sector. The Anniversary Show told the story of the beginning of EU MODEX, its present actions and outlined the hopes and plans for EU MODEX in the future. Read more here.

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