A delegation of 15 physicians, medics and paramedics from Israel’s voluntary emergency response organization, United Hatzalah, was the first international relief organization on the ground in Moldova, aiding about 70,000 refugees fleeing from Ukraine.

“We’re the only ones here,” said Linor Attias, a United Hatzalah emergency situation manager who arrived in Kishinev, the capital of Moldova, on Sunday afternoon. (Later in the week, a team from Israeli humanitarian aid organization IsraAID would arrive in the Moldovan town of Palanca.)

Reached by phone, Attias said there are an estimated 500,000 Ukrainian refugees who’ve fled to Poland, where other international relief organizations are helping them. Moldova is a less-developed country without as many resources, she said.

“Moldovan officials don’t know how to handle a civilian emergency like this but with our experience, we can help.”

The refugees have traveled by foot for days in freezing weather and snow to reach Ukraine’s border, Attias said.

Only women and children are allowed to cross into Moldova, however. Ukrainian men over 18 are not allowed to leave Ukraine and “must stay and fight. Once across the border, the women have no way to communicate with their husbands, fathers, brothers,” she said. “They don’t know if they’ll ever see them again.”

The United Hatzalah delegation has set up an operation center within a synagogue in Kishinev “where we’re helping everyone.” There are Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Hindi refugees. There is a field hospital and coordination unit to “see what is happening on all the borders.”

Attias coordinates the volunteers; she is also a volunteer medic in United Hatzalah’s psychotrauma unit.

“All the refugees are traumatized,” she said. “We’ve been trained to treat the refugees to prevent post-traumatic stress disorder before it happens.”

A Doll From Israel

Attias, 41, left behind her two daughters, Shoham, 12, and Tahel, 10, in Israel, to help refugees fleeing a war zone thousands of miles away.

Before Attias left, her daughters gave her dolls that they don’t play with anymore to give to the fleeing children. On her first day in Moldova, Attias saw a six-year-old boy who was suffering severe shock.

“For three days and nights, he held onto his mother’s leg as they traveled to reach safety,” she said.

“I gave the boy one of my daughter’s dolls and then he calmed down a bit. After that, I asked him if he wanted to help our team and I gave him an official vest to wear. He was finally able to let go of his mother, and she was able to sleep.”

Attias then told her daughters by phone, “The first treatment I gave here was with your doll.”

The delegation brought food and clothes that they had already distributed. She described how the refugees arrived with only the clothes on their backs, leaving everything behind.

“Some of the pregnant women have walked for days and tell us they can’t hear the heartbeat of their fetus,” she said. “There are grandmothers with hypothermia and shock. Everyone is very afraid.”

First Aid

The field hospital offers on-the-spot physical examinations, prenatal ultrasounds, health vitals monitoring and blood sample analysis via an Israeli virtual hospital, Sheba Beyond. This allows Sheba Medical Center physicians in Ramat Gan to lend their expertise through telemedicine.

United Hatzalah volunteers have begun giving first aid training courses to Ukrainian refugees in the shelters, hotels and camps where they have taken refuge in Chisinau, Moldova.

“Our goal is to empower the refugees and give them back a sense of control over their situation,” said Vicky Tiferet, one of the EMTs running the training sessions that are being given in the languages of the refugees. She herself left Kyiv 31 years ago, as a child, with little more than three suitcases and her parents. She left behind her husband and four children in Israel to join the mission to Moldova.

This morning, a chartered plane sponsored by United Hatzalah in partnership with El Al airlines brought an additional 40 medical personnel, EMTs, paramedics, doctors, psychologists and therapists, along with 15 tons of medical supplies, food, blankets, clothes, hand warmers, toys, feminine hygiene products and diapers donated by Israeli companies to aid Ukrainian refugees at the Moldova border.

“We will be using the additional supplies and staff to set up round-the-clock emergency medical clinics and field hospitals at the border crossings of Palanca and in the north near Moligev as well as in the capital city of Chisinau where many of the refugees have come, and we are providing assistance to all refugees regardless of race or religion,” said David Krispil, deputy vice president of operations for United Hatzalah and team commander of the Moldova-Ukraine border relief team.

When the plane returns, it won’t be empty. “We are bringing home approximately 150 Ukrainian refugees who have Israeli citizenship,” said Eli Beer, president and founder of United Hatzalah.

Body and Soul

Krispil said the organization is assisting approximately 1,500 Ukrainian refugees per day, providing them with food, humanitarian aid, and free medical treatment when needed.

United Hatzalah volunteers have treated hundreds of people for cold-related injuries as well as light injuries, and heart conditions due to stress.

In addition, the Psychotrauma and Crisis Response Unit offers emotional support to the refugees.

“When they see our Israeli flag, they feel safe,” Attias said.

“It’s unbelievable that in 2022, people are fleeing for their lives, leaving behind their houses, not knowing if they can ever return,” she said.

She feels it’s her responsibility – as well as her privilege – to be there.

“I’m representing the 6,200 volunteers of United Hatzalah and also representing Israel,” Attias said. “This is Israel at its finest. We’re volunteers who want to save lives.”