20 Ukrainian children with cancer arrived in France for treatment. First Lady Brigitte Macron personally met them.
This was reported by the press service of the President's Office.
Since the first weeks of the war, "Flights of Life" have been organized for Ukrainian children from war zones. This was achieved thanks to agreements between Olena Zelenska and the first ladies of other countries, authorities, health care ministries, and the cooperation of volunteer and medical organizations ( find the list below).
"I am here because Olena Zelenska and myself have agreed that we receive you. We are happy to have you in France, and we will take care of you. Also, we will exchange the information about your health condition with the First Lady of Ukraine," said Brigitte Macron.
To provide safe transportation for children, they are first brought to Lviv, to the Western Ukrainian Specialized Children's Medical Center led by Andriy Siniuta. The healthcare specialists examine and provide them with the necessary medical support. Then, medical teams accompany children and their relatives to Poland to a specially created Unicorn clinic. In Poland, the patients are assigned to the country where they will receive permanent treatment; it can be Poland, other European countries, the United States, or Canada.
"There are those who fight in two wars in these terrible times: one that destroys their homes and cities and another is a personal one, the disease. These are the two fronts that children with cancer face. We can evacuate them from one war and help win another, " - said Olena Zelenska.
She expressed hope that Ukraine would be able to send for treatment all those who need it so that children return healthy to a peaceful country.
Thanks to the "Flights of Life" initiative, more than 300 little cancer patients and their parents were evacuated from Ukraine to continue treatment in clinics in Europe, the United States, and Canada.
France will be able to accept 100,000 Ukrainian refugees and "possibly more." The statement was made by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Gerald Darmanin, last week after an urgent meeting with other members of the Cabinet of Ministers.