Help for Ukrainians with limited mobility: how the Red Cross transport service works in Slovakia

For people with disabilities, severe mobility impairments or the need for recumbent transportation, the road between cities often turns into a separate problem that cannot be solved by a regular bus, train or private car. Ukrainians who ended up in Slovakia due to the war can apply for special transport assistance from the Slovak Red Cross if their health requires transportation in a wheelchair or on a stretcher. This service works for internal routes within the country and is designed for those who need equipped transport and advance travel arrangements.

Who is transport assistance available to?

The Slovak Red Cross organizes intercity transportation for people with special needs or disabilities who were displaced as a result of the war in Ukraine. The service may be available both to those who have obtained temporary protection in Slovakia and to people who do not have such a status for various reasons.

Third-country nationals can also apply for the service if they were forced to leave Ukraine due to the war and need special transportation due to their health. The main condition is a medical or physical inability to use conventional modes of transport.

The transport service is intended for passengers who move in a wheelchair or have to be on a stretcher in a lying position. For such people, a standard trip is often associated with risk, discomfort or technical impossibility of boarding and disembarking.

A special vehicle allows you to organize transportation without additional physical strain for the passenger. This may be required for a trip to another city, moving between regions, visiting an institution, medical facility or other important location within Slovakia.

Where the service operates

Transportation is carried out only within the territory of the Slovak Republic. This means that transportation can be ordered for a route between two cities, districts or regions within the country.

This service does not cover international trips to Ukraine or other countries. It is also not intended for urgent medical calls, as organizing the route requires time and prior approval.

People with severe mobility impairments often need assistance while traveling, so the Slovak Red Cross can organize the transportation of an accompanying person. This is important for passengers who need support during boarding, disembarking, communication or being on the road.

The need for accompaniment should be indicated when applying. This will help the organizers correctly assess the conditions of the trip, the number of seats and the technical capabilities of the transport.

How to apply

To receive advice or make a request, you need to contact the Slovak Red Cross hotline at +421 910 910 116. Calls are accepted from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00.

The request can also be sent by e-mail to [email protected]. Alternatively, people can contact the Slovak Red Cross First Contact Offices directly if they prefer to submit information in person or through a representative.

The organization of intercity transportation may take several days, as the service has limited resources and cannot fulfill all requests immediately upon receipt of the request. After the request, it is necessary to agree on the route, the passenger’s condition, the need for accompaniment, the date of the trip and the availability of a suitable vehicle.

Therefore, people planning an important trip should apply as early as possible. Applying early reduces the risk that the required transport will not be available on the desired day or that the route will not be agreed in time.

How is this service different from emergency care

Transportation from the Slovak Red Cross is not an emergency medical service and does not replace emergency services. It is used for planned transfers when a person needs a special vehicle, but their condition does not require immediate medical intervention.

In case of a sharp deterioration in well-being, a threat to life or the need for urgent hospitalization, it is necessary to contact the emergency services. Red Cross transportation works in a different format: it helps people with limited mobility to safely reach the desired location within the country upon prior request.

Before calling or writing, it is advisable to have basic information about the passenger: name, contact number, place of residence, destination, desired date of travel, method of transportation and need for accompaniment. If a person uses a wheelchair or has to lie on a stretcher, this should be reported immediately.

The more accurately the situation is described, the faster the specialists will be able to understand what kind of transport is needed and whether it is possible to organize transportation on the planned day. For people who cannot call or write on their own, a request can be submitted by a relative, guardian, social worker or other person who helps with organizing the trip.

For displaced people with serious health problems, accessible transport often determines whether they can get to a doctor, change their place of residence, resolve administrative issues or move closer to family. Regular routes are not always adapted to the needs of passengers in wheelchairs or stretchers, and private transport can be difficult to organize.

The Slovak Red Cross service allows such people to move around the country without additional health risks. It operates on a pre-arranged basis, requires time for preparation, but can be an important support for those who are practically unable to travel without special transport.