JOINews August


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Monthly Newsletter

August 2022

News from the Network

Update on humanitarian aid for Ukraine

As the war has reached the six-month mark, the members of the JOIN network continue to provide and expand their aid. Next to providing immediate emergency relief, transport services, as well as accommodation and support to refugees, many of our members carry out medical deliveries to hospitals in Ukraine and to refugees in Ukraine's border regions. Our Hungarian member organised its Summer Camp in Terény, where families of refugees could escape their troubles and experience day trips, sports, handcrafts, amusement, and community. Read all updates on our network's activity for Ukraine here.

Austrian, German, Hungarian and Swiss JOIN members deliver aid to Transcarpathia

In the beginning of August, our Hungarian member delivered several loads of medical equipment and supplies, hospital beds and blankets, as well as over 500 kg of food from Budapest and Dunakeszi to Transcarpathia. The supplies were donated by our Austrian, German and Swiss members and transported by volunteers of our Hungarian member upon the request of the Reformed Church Community in Transcarpathia, which carries out the local distribution. Since February, Johannita has been engaged in many such high-volume transports of goods and equipment involving members of our network.

Austrian and German JOIN Board members meet in Vienna

From 11th to 12th August, the JOIN Board members from Germany and Austria met in Vienna. Christian Meyer-Landrut, Federal Board member of Johanniter Germany, visited our Austrian member organisation and met with its President, Johannes Bucher, to discuss international aid and possibilities for cooperation. During his visit to the Johanniter Residence and one of the homeless shelters, Christian Meyer-Landrut witnessed the work of Johanniter Austria in person.

Volunteer Swap

Six English Cycle Responders at the Parookaville Festival in Germany

This year's Parookaville open-air music festival in the West of Germany assembled not only electronic dance music artists from all over the world, but also an impressive deployment of volunteer teams from all over Germany and their English guests. Six volunteers from the St John Ambulance Cycle Responder Unit joined their German colleagues at the country's largest Electronic Dance Music Festival. Have a look at the report by Taylan Gungor here.

A German volunteer at the Bristol Balloon Fiesta

From 11^th to 14^th August, Eike Hundhausen from Johanniter Germany travelled to Bristol to join St John Ambulance at the annual Bristol Balloon Fiesta. The festival is one of the largest international hot air balloon festivals in Europe, with its mass ascents, night glows, and colourful displays of the balloons attracting around 80,000 visitors each year. The teams provided three treatment centres, foot patrols and ambulances across the four-day event. Read Eike's report here.

A German volunteer at the British Firework Championships

On 17th and 18th August, the British Firework Championships were held at Plymouth Harbour. The creative displays lighting up the sky created a fantastic atmosphere and attracted over 40,000 spectators. Susann Kraft from Johanniter Germany travelled to Plymouth to join the team of St John Ambulance. Together they provided first aid at a treatment centre, foot patrols and ambulances across the two-day event. Read what Susann reports about her Volunteer Swap in Plymouth here.

News from the members

Jerusalem: US President Biden visits East Jerusalem Hospital Network

During his visit to Jerusalem, President Biden visited the East Jerusalem Hospital Network and was greeted by the six Hospitals' Chief Executive Officers. Dr Ahmad Ma'ali, CEO of our member from Jerusalem, outlined the charitable work carried out by the St John Eye Hospital in Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. In his speech, President Biden announced that the United States is committing $100 million to support East Jerusalem Hospitals. This will be a multiyear commitment in both resources and expertise and will mainly cover Palestinian Ministry of Health debts to the six East Jerusalem Hospitals. Read more here.

The Netherlands: Johanniter organises trips to amusement park

Our Dutch member usually organises holidays for three different target groups: older adults with a need for care, those who are lonely and children from underprivileged families. In August, Johanniter organised two weekend stays for children at the Dutch amusement park 'De Efteling'. As they did not find enough children to join the second weekend, Johanniter offered the trip and stay free of charge to a residence for people with mental disabilities. The residents, aged between 20 and 50, and their caretakers enjoyed their stay greatly. Read more (in Dutch) here.

Germany: Annual Report published

Johanniter Germany has published its Annual Report for 2021, in which the organisation looks back on another year full of challenges. Next to the COVID-19 pandemic, the flood disaster in July 2021 mobilised the biggest deployment of its forces. Never before have so many Johanniter helpers been in action for weeks to rescue and care for people. In the past year, more than 75,000 people were involved with the organisation on a full-time or voluntary basis. Its emergency rescue services were deployed more than 777,000 times in total. In addition, our German member taught first aid to 212,727 people and provided care for 38,000 children in its 540 daycare centres throughout the country.

News from Europe

World Humanitarian Day

On 19th August, World Humanitarian Day unites people from across the globe to pay tribute to the aid workers bringing relief and life-saving assistance to people in need. This is what Johanniter International Assistance is doing in 20 countries. In South Sudan, they implemented two projects to combat malnutrition, especially among children under five, as well as pregnant women, mothers and their newborns. See how Johanniter is helping here.

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