Ukraine Relief Mission – Switzerland

The Need

Access to healthcare is critical in stabilizing the well-being of vulnerable populations. Since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, millions of Ukrainians have been displaced, seeking refuge throughout Europe and beyond. Between March 2022 and January 2025, Switzerland received nearly 111,000 Ukrainian refugees. Unfortunately, these individuals face numerous barriers to healthcare, including challenges in obtaining both physical and mental health services.

Beyond physical healthcare needs, there is an urgent demand for mental health support. Displaced Ukrainians are enduring the psychological toll of war, loss, and displacement. The trauma of leaving loved ones behind, uncertainty about the future, and the stresses of resettlement have left many in desperate need of mental health services. However, access to mental health care remains severely limited. Without timely intervention, mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) risk worsening, leading to long-term complications that profoundly affect individuals and families.

Moreover, many displaced Ukrainians suffer from a combination of immediate and long-term health issues, including untreated chronic illnesses and trauma-related injuries. The ongoing stress of displacement, coupled with inadequate access to both physical and mental healthcare, exacerbates these conditions. Without intervention, these health challenges can rapidly escalate, placing an even greater burden on healthcare systems in host countries.

As medical professionals and non-medical volunteers, your involvement is crucial in addressing this growing crisis. By offering both basic and advanced medical care, as well as providing vital mental health support, we can help alleviate the worsening health situation. This mission is not only about treating immediate medical conditions but also about ensuring long-term health solutions—physically, emotionally, and psychologically—for those who have already endured so much.

Our Work

At International Medical Relief (IMR), we are committed to making a lasting global impact through strategic planning, collaboration, and alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), specifically Goal 3: Good Health & Well-Being, Goal 6: Clean Water & Sanitation, and Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

UNSDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being
IMR is focused on elevating the health and well-being of vulnerable populations. We work shoulder-to-shoulder with local healthcare providers to strengthen local healthcare systems and increase workforce density. By building relationships and mentoring future healthcare and public health leaders, we ensure sustainable, long-term improvements in communities’ access to care.

UNSDG 6: Clean Water & Sanitation
In line with clean water and sanitation initiatives, IMR plays a vital role in improving water quality in underserved communities. We collaborate with local populations to install water filtration systems, providing access to clean drinking water, while delivering education on hydration, hygiene, and sanitation practices. This proactive approach helps foster healthier, more resilient communities.

UNSDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Collaboration is at the heart of our mission. IMR only enters a country by formal invitation and under the guidance of local hosts, ensuring that our work directly aligns with community needs. By fostering meaningful partnerships and respecting local leadership, we address urgent healthcare gaps and work toward long-term, sustainable solutions.

At IMR, our professionals, both medical and non-medical, are key to driving these initiatives forward. Whether it’s delivering care on the ground, mentoring local healthcare providers, or contributing to water and sanitation efforts, each mission makes a profound difference in the lives of those we serve.

This Mission

International Medical Relief (IMR) has expanded its field operations to support Ukrainian relief efforts, with a focus on providing medical care to refugees across Europe. Our teams work within centers housing displaced Ukrainians and facilities set up to meet their immediate healthcare needs. As part of our long-term, sustainable impact strategies, we aim to transform the future for those affected by the conflict.

Medical professionals and non-medical volunteers alike will play an essential role in these efforts. From securing critical medical supplies and equipment to standing alongside local healthcare professionals, volunteers will help provide comprehensive medical and mental health support to refugees. By working in partnership with NGOs, healthcare systems, and government agencies, we can ensure that refugees receive the care they need and that the burden on local medical infrastructures is reduced. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful relief efforts and make a tangible difference in the lives of those fleeing the conflict.

Education is a cornerstone of our mission, with resources dedicated to addressing infectious disease prevention, as well as health and hygiene education. These efforts are crucial for maintaining the health of displaced populations, especially in the crowded conditions many now face.

As medical professionals, your expertise is critical in addressing this ongoing crisis. By providing both basic and advanced medical care, as well as essential mental health support, you will help mitigate the worsening health conditions faced by refugees. This mission is not only about treating immediate health issues but also ensuring long-term physical, emotional, and psychological recovery for those who have endured unimaginable hardships.

IMR has established partnerships across Ukraine, Moldova, Poland, Transnistria, Norway, Belgium, Romania, and Switzerland to ensure that our efforts are coordinated and impactful. Throughout the conflict, we remain focused on prioritizing the well-being of the people we serve, while also ensuring the safety and security of our teams. Thoughtful, deliberate, and responsible in our approach, IMR will continue to honor and respect the experiences of those fleeing their homes and families, while working diligently to provide the care they need.

Through our partnerships with local health systems and governments, IMR is helping to offset the strain on existing medical infrastructures throughout Europe, ensuring that Ukrainian refugees receive the care they urgently require.

Check out more resources: https://internationalmedicalrelief.org/resources/

Lodging/Transportation

INDEPENDENT ACCOMMODATION: While accommodations and transportation are not included in this classic disaster relief medical mission package, you are able to book your hotel independently to create the perfect stay that suits your needs. Worldwide Navigators is available to help you make hotel arrangements in Zurich, conveniently located for our clinic locations. Zurich offers a range of wonderful places to stay, from cozy boutique hotels to modern accommodations, so you can relax and explore the city at your own pace.

INDEPENDENT TRANSPORTATION: Please note that transportation to and from your accommodations to clinic will also need to be arranged separately, but many convenient options are available to help you get around.

We hope you’ll take this opportunity to enjoy all that Zurich has to offer.

For accommodations and transportation included in your package, please see our Signature Mission.

Highlights

The war in Ukraine has created an increasingly desperate humanitarian crisis. International Medical Relief teams are actively aiding Ukrainian refugees in the surrounding region, including Zurich, by expanding access to medical, dental, and mental health services, as well as providing sustainable health education to those in need. Our mission’s highlight is helping the refugees and delivering the lifesaving care they deserve.

After making a difference on the ground, don’t miss the chance to explore the beautiful city of Zurich. From its rich history and stunning architecture to its vibrant culture and modern attractions, Zurich offers a perfect blend of relaxation and discovery, giving you a well-deserved break after the hard work of the mission.

Let’s make an impact while also enjoying all that this incredible city has to offer!

Extend Your Stay

Itinerary at a Glance