GO&D International Projects: Russia

History:

Russia's medical sector is in a state of collapse, with officials unable to update medical systems, let alone sustain them. This situation is especially dire, as the AIDS pandemic has reached record heights in Russia - putting an even larger strain on hospitals, clinics, and orphanages. Both the government and non-profits in Russia are ill equipped to address resulting needs, necessitating outside assistance to provide the country with essential medical supplies and NGO capacity building support.

Russia Programs

Global Operations and Development (GO&D) has been working in Russia and the surrounding countries of the Former Soviet Union since the organization's 1993 inception, delivering shipments of medical supplies, bio-medical equipment, and medicines to under resourced hospitals, clinics, and orphanages. From GO&D's Buena Park headquarters, needed supplies, including incubators, dental supplies, and x-ray machines, are refurbished by an on-staff bio-technician ensuring excellence in delivered equipment's usability.

GO&D endeavors to address recipient needs by partnering with in-country NGOs that have an innate understanding of existing problems and gaps in assistance in local communities. In Russia, GO&D is collaborating with Inter-Regional, Public, Region Assistance Fund (Dubrava), developing the organizations capacity to provide humanitarian assistance and services.

The Russian government continues to seek GO&D's assistance in the form of medical sector support. GO&D is implementing several programs that will facilitate Russia's ability to strengthen its medical systems by continuing to deliver supplies and by working with organizations and universities to reinforce humanitarian assistance and social service networks.

In December 2005, GO&D established a partnership with Dubrava; a government approved Russian NGO that implements humanitarian programs through its 54 offices across Russia. To enable Dubrava to better serve the numerous communities it works with, GO&D is providing guidance and oversight as it develops effective fundraising and communication methods while also continuing to provide the organization with medical supplies and equipment for distribution to area hospitals and clinics.

To further support Russia's ability to provide successful humanitarian assistance, GO&D is working with the State University-School of Economics in Moscow to formulate a curriculum instructing students on NGO development, humanitarian work, and international relations - with the focus from GO&D being on fundraising, communications, and non-profit structuring. To address the other areas, GO&D will create networks for the University with other interested organizations and universities.

Delivery of medical supplies continues with under resourced institutions identified by partner Dubrava and by the Head of the Cardiac Department in Russia. GO&D, through Dubrava, is continuing work with the HIV/AIDS Prevention Republican Center in the Republic of Tatarstan - providing supplies including gloves, gowns, and masks to the research lab/blood processing center and food, blankets, and toys to the center's home for AIDS babies.

GO&D is also working with Dubrava to provide commodity support to the Maternity Hospital #4 in Moscow, and the Head of the Cardiac Department to restock rural hospitals outside of St. Petersburg.

Our goal has been clear - to assist our partners in improving health care for those without resources.