Road traffic injuries remain the leading cause of death among young people aged 15-29 years. In general, every year, 3 thousand people die worldwide as a result of road accidents and about 100 thousand are seriously injured.

The target of the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030, proclaimed by the UN General Assembly Resolution 74/299 is to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by at least 50% during that period.

The World Heath Organisation is responsible for implementing measures to achieve the goals of the Decade worldwide. In support of the global initiative, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine together with the Kyiv Interregional Branch State Enterprise “Ukrainian Research Institute of Transport Medicine” co-organised the 7^th Global Road Safety Week.

Among the events that will take place during the Ukrainian Week is the annual nationwide charity action “Give Blood to Save Lives”, which aims to promote blood donation and to help victims of road accidents.

During the full-scale war in Ukraine, the number of deaths and injuries on the roads has not decreased nor has the need for donated blood. Levels and blood supplies must be maintained. Therefore, the Ministry of Health together with the Kyiv Interregional Branch State Enterprise “Ukrainian Research Institute of Transport Medicine” and the International Charitable Foundation “Assistance to Victims of Road Accidents” call on Ukrainians to join the annual charity action “Give Blood to Save Lives” and to become a donor of blood and its components.

Blood donations will be available from May 15 to 19, 2023 at the:

• Kyiv Municipal Blood Center (from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Maksyma Berlinskoho St, 12 and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Alisher Navoi Avenue, 1 (Left Bank);
• Ukrainian regional blood transfusion centers (in accordance with their requirements and donor’s reception hours).

During martial law, Blood Centers are working in the strengthened mode, so we call on to follow their announcements and to give blood not only within the framework of actions, but also outside them.

We want to remind you that Road Safety Weeks in Ukraine are held twice a year and considered as one of the largest information and educational platform to draw public attention to the problems of road traffic injuries in the country. The Weeks are aimed at consolidating the efforts of state authorities, departments, structures, public and media to develop joint solutions and solve this problem.