More than a dozen lawmakers have called on President Joe Biden to establish field hospitals near Ukraine’s border to help with the “growing humanitarian crisis” as Russia’s invasion continues.
A bipartisan group of 17 members of Congress is calling on the U.S to send help to Ukraine’s health care system as the number of injured soldiers and civilians continues to climb. Since the war began on February 24, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirms there have been at least 150 military attacks on Ukrainian health facilities.
In a letter sent Friday to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, lawmakers recommend opening field hospitals at Ukraine’s Polish border.
“We ask you to deploy several military field hospital centers to the Polish-Ukrainian border region and authorize U.S. medical personnel to care for the sick and wounded fighters and refugees and third country nationals crossing into Poland,” the letter reads.
The letter recommends that the field hospitals work with Polish authorities as well as humanitarian organizations, like the United Nations, to consider “international humanitarian principles” in any treatment and activities.
The lawmakers also suggested the U.S. equip Ukrainian first responders and defense forces with armored ambulances. The recommended field litter ambulances would be able to transport up to four people at a time.