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Ukraine

Health Cluster Ukraine: Humanitarian Response and Funding Snapshot (January - December 2024)

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SITUATION UPDATE

• The year 2024 has been marked by multiple waves of escalation in hostilities, resulting in shifting frontlines, widespread displacement, and severe humanitarian consequences for people residing in frontline communities.
Following the military offensive in Kharkiv region in May, violence escalated further, with hostilities intensifying by late August, particularly in Kharkiv, Donetsk, Sumy regions. This was compounded by an increase in air raids in September, setting the tone for the rest of the year. The escalation in 2024 has resulted in a devastating toll, with attacks on residential areas and civilian infrastructure claiming the lives of 2,064 civilians and leaving 9,089 injured, recorded by the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU).

• In 2024, casualties amongst health workers and patients represented a 31% increase in attacks and a staggering 200% rise in comparison within casualties among healthcare workers and patients compared to the previous year. The Health Cluster Health Cluster, through WHO's Surveillance System for Attacks on Health Care, verified 470 attacks in 2024, which resulted in the deaths of 73 healthcare workers and patients and injuries disrupting access to essential health services, significantly impairing the delivery and continuity of care.

• As of December 2024, 142 Health Cluster partners reported reaching 3.04M people and supported 1,334 health facilities across 2,053 towns and villages, achieving 81% of the target set for health interventions in the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2024.

• In 2024, health interventions received only 72% of the required funding. The funding gap poses a significant challenge to partners’ ability to meet the needs of vulnerable populations, many of whom live in areas with limited or no access to essential health services. Without additional resources, millions may be deprived of critical care, including trauma services, maternal and child health care, and treatment for chronic diseases, especially in frontline communities.

• Health partners are seeking funding to support uninterrupted and dignified service delivery in health facilities impacted by recent attacks by ensuring heating and water supply, and the ability of health workers to treat conditions exacerbated by the cold weather.

• Recent funding rounds failed to include winterization support for health facilities following the released Winter Response Strategy. Many partners have therefore had to address needs on a case-by-case basis or reallocate funds from other activities, making it difficult to fully meet all winter-related health needs. Despite these challenges, partners are working to optimize available resources and prioritize the most urgent needs. As part of the health winter response, 56 health facilities in prioritized locations have been reached with heating systems, boilers, fuel, generators, benefiting about 225 717 patients.