Frontline Ukraine: REACT Launches Operation PACE Appeal

REACT Disaster Response has launched a public appeal to support Operation PACE and its latest deployment to deliver lifesaving trauma and incident management training to frontline communities in Ukraine.

Two teams of REACT Responders will deploy across six locations to train 150 people in practical skills designed to save lives in the critical moments after an attack.

The appeal will help fund both the deployment itself and the trauma kits left behind with every person trained.

Standing with Ukraine

REACT has worked alongside Ukrainian partners since shortly after the full-scale invasion in 2022. Early deployments focused on urgent humanitarian support near frontline areas, including food, water, medical supplies, generators and evacuation assistance for vulnerable communities.

Since then, the organisation has continued working with the Ukrainian Education Platform (UEP) and local partners to strengthen frontline readiness and local capability through practical training and support.

Operation PACE builds on that work.

Training Designed for Real Conditions

In many frontline communities, emergency services face enormous pressure. Infrastructure is damaged, movement is dangerous, and evacuation can take hours rather than minutes.

Operation PACE is designed for those realities.

During the deployment, REACT Responders will deliver training focused on:

• Identifying and mitigating risks in conflict environments
• Controlling catastrophic bleeding
• Casualty stabilisation and trauma response
• Keeping casualties alive until evacuation is possible

Every person trained will keep the trauma kit they have been shown how to use, ensuring both skills and equipment remain within the community after training ends.

Readiness Saves Lives

REACT’s approach focuses on readiness, speed and practical humanitarian action in hard-to-reach environments.

By training civilians, frontline workers and local organisations, Operation PACE aims to strengthen local capacity and help communities respond more effectively during emergencies.

“When a strike hits, the difference between someone surviving and someone dying is often the person standing next to them,” said REACT’s Chief Executive, Toby Wicks.

“Operation PACE is about giving people the skills, confidence and equipment to act in those critical moments.”

How the Public Can Help

The Operation PACE appeal will help fund the full deployment, including:

• Training delivery across six frontline communities
• Trauma kits for trainees
• In-country operational support
• UK-based coordination and logistics

Supporters can contribute directly through the campaign page:

£10 helps pay for a trauma kit

£206 helps fund lifesaving training

Any contribution helps place practical skills and equipment into frontline communities

REACT is encouraging supporters to donate and share the appeal to help extend its reach.

Support Operation PACE

Make a donation: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/frontline-ukraine

REACT Disaster Response is a volunteer-led humanitarian charity delivering rapid support to hard-to-reach and vulnerable communities in the UK and internationally. Working alongside local and international partners, REACT deploys highly trained Responders into complex environments to strengthen humanitarian response where it matters most.