Dear partner,

We at DEBRA International find ourselves faced with a humanitarian crisis that requires collective action globally. The war in Ukraine has tremendous consequences for all Ukrainians but its impact is perhaps most severe for those with debilitating health conditions like EB. In solidarity with those affected, Debra International are working to meet the urgent medical needs of Ukrainians with EB.

We invite you to join us in influencing the lives of some of these patients.

We appeal for your support through donations (cash or kind) as we work with DEBRA Ukraine to assist 120 EB individuals with severe forms of EB, either still in Ukraine or in neighbouring countries. These patients and families are in urgent need of woundcare and nutrition supplies among other needs. We have already initiated support for Ukranian patients in receiving nations and are centralising our collective efforts to be managed by Debra International.

On behalf of Debra International, I entreat your support in cash or/and kind for the following supplies:

• Wound care material/dressings
• Nutridrinks or other foods for special medical purposes
• preparations for removing dressings, eg Niltac
• disposable needles
• disposable gloves
• pads for changing dressings
• non‐woven compresses
• Disinfecting preparations and fluids for rinsing wounds

For further information on our initiative please contact us office@debra‐international.org.

Donations are welcome via our bank account:

Account Name: DEBRA International

BIC: BAWAATWW

IBAN: AT656000000510045254

Bank Name: BAWAG P.S.K.

Bank Address: Georg‐Coch‐Platz 2, 1018 Vienna, Austria

 We apologise if you've received this request from other channels but assure you that collection of funds/supplies have been centralised and will be managed by Debra International.

On behalf of the executive committee and the larger EB community, our sincere gratitude.

Dr Ritu Jain

President of DEBRA International

Donations for DEBRA International “Ukraine Appeal”

Monetary support

1.1 Any money donated to DEBRA International for “Ukraine Appeal’ will be donated in good faith and will be used by DEBRA International according to our bylaws in particular with section 3.2.d: “providing services which are directly or indirectly to the benefit of people with Epidermolysis Bullosa (medical care, social assistance, advice and information, etc.)” to provide support for EB patients affected by Ukrainian conflict, as approved by DEBRA International Executive Committee and in agreement with our Auditors.

1.4 Documentation will be provided to DEBRA International for expenditure of funds, including records for expenses, photocopies of receipts, photos of patients, patient testimonials (written or video), photos of supplies. Within reason – some of the documentation may not be available in a war situation.

1.5 This appeal is in line with our larger program of work called “EB Without Borders” to assist individuals living with EB where there is no local DEBRA group or countries where support for EB individuals is lacking due to socioeconomic reasons, natural disaster, or conflict. Therefore, in the unlikely event that any money donated to the DEBRA International Ukraine appeal is not spent for the designated reason it will be retained in EB Without Border program account to ensure we can provide similar support when the opportunity arises and EB individuals face global challenges/need.

1.6 Outcomes / impact of donated funds will be publicised via our website, newsletter and annual reports, where all DEBRA member groups, industry, partners organisations and supporters offering monetary support (of over $1,000 euro) or in-kind support with dressing/medical supplies will be acknowledged.

1.7 Donations of in-kind support can include staff hours to assist with coordination efforts, or donations of specific medical supplies, wound dressing and nutritional supplies required by EB patients. Please find below a list of specific products required include but are not limited to:

1.2 All donations referenced ‘DEBRA International Ukraine Appeal’ and will be held in EBWB workstream DEBRA International account and will receive a receipt according to DEBRA International laws and regulations and charity operations.

1.3 Our coordinated effort includes working across many members DEBRA groups internationally to support DEBRA Ukraine and member groups providing support locally (DEBRA Poland, EB Poland Foundation, DEBRA Czech etc). We have formed two subgroups that work together in fundraising and operations to follow a streamlined processes in providing best support we can for Ukrainian EB families. Money will be used for support of coordination of international effort to support EB patients affected by conflict in Ukraine, including but not limited to the following:

• Coordination of families requesting help at local level (coordinator salary), and direct assistance with evacuation, accommodation, safe transport, translation, and support for those fleeing conflict or those EB families that are in Ukraine and unable to leave.
• Medical dressings (obtaining and shipping), medical care, medical supplies specific for EB and not provided by other charities or accessible via government / local support organisations.
• Any medical or nutrition needs of Ukrainian EB families/patients not met with local support (charities, government, aid agencies).