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SITUATION UPDATE
• In August, Ukraine endured one of the largest aerial assaults since February 2022, resulting in the deaths of eight civilians and injuries to at least 23 more. The strikes damaged 25 energy facilities across 15 regions.
• The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) reported August as having the second-highest civilian casualty count of 2024, with 184 killed and 856 injured, following a deadly July.
• Health facilities, health workers and their patients continue to face risks to their safety as the attacks on health care are unrelenting. In August, the Health Cluster, through WHO's Surveillance System for Attacks on Health Care (SSA), verified 40 attacks on health facilities, which resulted in the deaths of two health care workers and patients and left seven others injured. Since the conflict's escalation in February 2022, verification of 2,024 attacks on health care, resulting in 174 deaths and 551 injuries. These attacks severely disrupt the delivery of health services and hinder humanitarian health operations.
• The humanitarian situation in Ukraine continues to deteriorate. Humanitarian access in frontline areas, particularly in Donetska and Khersonska oblasts, remains restricted due to escalating military activity, shifting control in Pokrovskyi Raion, and operational risks along the Dnipro River in Khersonska Oblast.
• Escalating airstrikes and ground combat have worsened security in Donetska and Sumy regions. In Donetska, up to 2,400 aerial strikes were reported within days, with fighting near residential areas, prompting authorities to evacuate civilians. In response to increased hostilities and attacks on health care facilities, the Health Cluster helped relocate six hospitals from the Donetsk region to safer locations and mobilized partners to transport and store medical supplies.
• Despite these challenges, 120 Health Cluster partners reached over 1.7 million people in August and supported 544 health facilities across 556 towns and villages. However, access to health services remains severely constrained, especially in areas near the front lines and in rural regions previously under occupation. Additionally, a shortage of health workers in these areas hampers the delivery of vital services.
• As of 31st August, only 39% of the required funding for health interventions in Ukraine has been secured. This funding gap threatens the ability of partners to meet the growing needs of vulnerable populations, many of whom have limited or no access to essential health services. Without additional resources, millions could be deprived of critical care, including trauma services, maternal and child health, and treatment for chronic diseases.