EPILEPSY Scotland has donated all of its 41 “First Aid Pods” to Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing invasion.
With more than 2000 civilian deaths since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the charity is aiming to support those in need as the situation continues to escalate.
Epilepsy Scotland chief executive Lesslie Young said: “Everyone at Epilepsy Scotland has been shocked and saddened by the recent events in Ukraine and the impact the invasion has had on its people.
“We were eager to help in some way and felt to donate our First Aid Pods to people living in a situation, most of us, can hardly imagine – to those who need it most – was the right thing to do.”
The 41 first aid pod kits provide privacy and shelter, with medical guidance printed within the inside of the pod for people without first-aid training.
Each pod contains a survival blanket, a CPR mouthpiece and is reusable, and their bright colour makes them easily noticeable for first-aid responders and emergency services.
The pod also comes with round pegs for securing it in outside conditions.
Young said: “Like everyone around the world, we hope a peaceful resolution can be found and the Ukrainian people will soon be able to return to their homes and live safely in their country. Until that day our thoughts are with them.”
It comes as Russian president Vladimir Putin says his country is ready for talks with Ukraine but insisted that Moscow’s demands must be met.
Putin told German Chancellor Olaf Scholz that Ukraine must agree to demilitarise, accept Moscow’s sovereignty over Crimea and surrender territory to Russia-backed rebels in the east, the Kremlin said in its readout of their call.
Russian and Ukrainian negotiators on Thursday held the second of two rounds of talks, reaching a tentative agreement on setting up safe corridors to allow civilians to leave besieged Ukrainian cities and the delivery of humanitarian supplies.
They also agreed to keep talking on ways to negotiate a settlement, but Putin’s tough demands make prospects for a compromise look dim.
Ukrainian negotiators said the parties may conduct another round of talks over the weekend.
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