In a remarkable week that epitomises the World Extreme Medicine Fund’s commitment to immediate action, while WEMF co-founder Mark Hannaford led critical training on the front lines of Kherson, co-founder Luca Alfatti was advocating for increased medical support in the halls of Westminster.
Community Response in Kherson
At the request of Kherson’s governor, WEMF has pioneered a new approach to medical training in conflict zones. Moving beyond their traditional focus on medical professionals, the organisation has begun training civilian community members in essential life-saving skills.
“The governor asked us to train more than just responders,” explains Mark. “What we witnessed in response was extraordinary.”
Among the trainees was a particularly remarkable participant – a grandmother who arrived dressed in her Sunday best and proceeded to outperform everyone in tourniquet application. This moment, according to Mark, exemplifies the spirit of resilience in Kherson: “When you see a babusia mastering combat tourniquets with the same precision she might use for her traditional recipes, you understand both the reality of life here and the extraordinary determination of these people.”
Recognition and Impact
The mission’s success has been recognised at the highest levels. The team received a humanitarian volunteer medal from the Kherson region, along with a rare commemorative coin marking the city’s liberation – a testament to the profound impact of their work.
The statistics are impressive: nearly 1,000 trained to date, with 127 from this latest mission alone. But numbers tell only part of the story. Each trainee – from bus drivers to street cleaners, administrative staff to grandmothers – represents a potential lifesaver in a community where such skills can mean the difference between life and death.
Parliamentary Engagement
While Mark and the training team were working in Kherson, Luca was engaged in crucial meetings at Parliament. “Whilst our brave colleagues were teaching life-saving skills in Kherson, we were working to secure more support through parliamentary channels,” explains Luca. “This dual approach is essential for sustainable impact.”
The parliamentary engagement, following immediately after the launch of WEMF at the World Extreme Medicine Conference 2024, represents a crucial step in expanding support for humanitarian medical training in crisis zones.
Pictured on the right; Jo Platt, MP for Leigh and Atherton and the MP who has supported WEMF’s efforts in Parliament.
Looking Forward
The success of this mission, coinciding with the 1,000th day since the invasion of Ukraine, marks a significant evolution in WEMF’s approach to humanitarian medical support. What began as Medics4Ukraine, delivering £3.5m worth of critical aid, has grown into a global initiative adapting to meet the specific needs of communities in crisis.
The organisation continues to expand its reach, maintaining its commitment to rapid response while developing innovative approaches to community-based medical training. As one team member noted, “In Kherson, this isn’t just training – it’s survival skills for a city that needs them.”
The World Extreme Medicine Fund operates as a restricted fund under Humanitas (UK Registered Charity Number 1114639), delivering immediate, practical medical support in crisis zones worldwide.