JOINews February


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Monthly Newsletter

February 2023

News from the Network

JOIN members provide emergency aid following earthquake in Turkey and Syria

On 6th February, an earthquake of magnitude 7.8 hit Turkey and Syria, followed by numerous strong aftershocks, last with magnitude 6.3 on 20th February. It is estimated that around 18 Million people have been affected by the disaster and are in need of humanitarian assistance. Johanniter International Assistance has been on site since 7th February relief activities in cooperation with local partners started. Medical supplies were delivered to Turkey, and Johanniter is implementing mobile food distribution in the Hatay region as well as the distribution of hygiene kits to the evacuated population. In Syria, Johanniter partner MAPS provided hot food to 1,000 people in the region around Afrin and is now preparing the delivery of building materials for repairing damaged houses. Five hospitals received fuel for generators and ambulances to facilitate the provision of medical care and 600 families received cash to buy the things they need most at the local markets. On 16th February, our Hungarian member arranged the delivery of 200 quilts, 200 pillows, 3000 kg of durable food and 1300 polyfoams to the temporary storage in Dunaharast. Continue reading

Update on Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine

24th February marked one year since the beginning of the Russian attack against Ukraine. The war has caused widespread death, destruction, displacement and human suffering and left at least 17.6 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in 2023. Johanniter International Assistance has summarised its activities since February 2022. Over 1,000 tons of relief goods were sent to Ukraine, Romania and Hungary via Poland and Romania in over 100 trucks. The work of Johannita Hungary was supported to provide relief transports to Ukraine and to receive refugees in Hungary. Based on the requests of its partners, Johanniter has donated several vehicles to Ukraine. In October, Johanniter started working with another Ukrainian partner, the local NGO NEW DAWN based in Odesa and working mostly in villages and towns close to the frontline in the Cherson and Mykolaiv areas. The project activities include the distribution of food and other basic items, as well as the provision of construction materials to do basic repairs on destroyed houses. It is expected that almost 79,000 people will be reached by the end of April through the project activities. Since April 2022, Johanniter has been supporting Ukrainian refugees in the Republic of Moldova, including providing daily meals for 200 refugees and psychosocial services and medical rehabilitation for around 2,200 refugees in the north of the country. Read all updates on our network's activity for Ukraine here.

Johannine Orders help traumatised children and adolescents in Ukraine

The unimaginable day-to-day stress of life in a conflict zone, coupled with ongoing uncertainty about the future, is leaving countless people in Ukraine suffering from trauma. Children and young people are amongst the worst affected. Therefore, the five modern branches of the Johannine Orders have joined forces again to help affected people heal invisible wounds. Since mid-November 2022, three mobile teams have been deployed in Western Ukraine to provide psychosocial care to displaced children and young people. Johanniter International Assistance took over the implementation of the project together with Malteser International. Six vehicles were purchased and filled with materials for group games and creative activities, as well as therapeutic games and toys for young children to create a suitable environment for mental health support. The project is funded by the German Association and the Austrian Relief Service of the Order of Malta, the Johanniterorden, the Order of St John, the Johanniter Orde in Nederland and the Johanniterorden i Sverige, as well as the Swiss Relief Service of the Johanniterorden.

Volunteer Swap

Launch of the Volunteer Swap 2023

This year's Volunteer Swap programme already offers 36 opportunities in Austria, England, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Jerusalem (Medical Students Exchange), Latvia, the Netherlands and Sweden for volunteers from all JOIN member organisations. You can support your colleagues abroad with the provision of first aid at major events such as the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, the London Marathon and the Sweden Rock Festival or join our members in many regular services or social care activities at 11 swaps offered flexibly throughout the year. The JOIN Office funds 50 per cent of your travel costs up to 250€. Find the perfect opportunity for you here

Report by an English volunteer at the Ski Jumping World Cup in Germany

From 28th to 29th December 2022, Johanniter in Allgäu welcomed six volunteers from Austria and one English volunteer who joined in the provision of first aid at the Ski Jumping World Cup in Oberstdorf. About 38,000 visitors were present at the big Schattenberg ski jump hill for the opening jumping competition of the Four Hills Tournament. After the report by the Austrian volunteer Richard last month, you can now read about the experience of Samantha from St John Ambulance in England here.

An English volunteer at the Ambulance services in Austria

Johanniter Austria welcomes volunteers from all JOIN member organisations to join their 24/7 patient transport and emergency medical service throughout Vienna. Scheduled patient transports to and from the hospital or doctors' offices are common. The ambulance car, with two trained paramedics on board, also responds to emergency calls. From 3rd to 8th February, Arseni Loika from St John Ambulance travelled from England to Vienna to participate in the Volunteer Swap. Read what he reports here.

News from the members

England: St John Ambulance names National Cadet of the Year for 2023

Over the weekend of 17th to 19th February, 17-year-old Kyle Dean-Curtis was named St John Ambulance's National Cadet of the Year for 2023. He was selected from 36 of the charity's superstar Cadets - all of whom had won district competitions to earn their place at the national final in Nottinghamshire. The Cadet programme (10–17-year-olds), which celebrated its centenary last year, plays a huge role in developing the next generations of health professionals, volunteers and lifesavers. Last year more than 1,600 young Cadets provided 45,700 hours of lifesaving first aid and care alongside adult St John volunteers. Kyle and the other finalists faced rigorous challenges, which not only demonstrated their exemplary first aid knowledge but also their passion for volunteering in their community, leadership communication and teamwork skills. Read more here.

Jerusalem: latest newsletter published

The St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group has issued the 4th edition of its e-newsletter this month. This issue contains a summary of the Group's progress in 2022 as well as upcoming events and recently launched sponsored challenge events in the form of four runs. In 2022, the number of outpatients seen at St John Eye Hospital Group reached 142,876. Furthermore, the Group achieved a new record as 6,916 major eye surgeries were performed. Upcoming events include a talk by General The
Lord Dannatt GCB CBE MC, who sits in the Upper House as Government spokesman on Military Affairs on 16th March, and the Bishop's Waltham Garden Fair on 30th April. Read the newsletter here.

European Projects

Learn about the MED1stMR training system

As the MED1stMR project enters its second half, the training system is being developed. The virtually simulated mass casualty incident training for medical first responders needs only a few tools. With hand and foot sensors and an audio and VR headset all connected wirelessly, the training solution offers quick and easy start of the scenario exercise. See the training equipment and all facts here. A definition of Mixed Reality compared to Virtual Reality is offered in this article. MED1stMR aims to achieve Mixed Reality training by integrating high-fidelity simulation manikins into the VR overlayed with virtual wounds and medical issues (like the movement of eyes), combined with the sensory experience of feeling the manikin and its vital signs like the pulse.

Johanniter International

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1000 Brussels, Belgium

join.office@johanniter.org

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