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CONTEXT
As of 31 August 2024, the Office of the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights recorded 36 357 civilian casualties in Ukraine, with 11 743 killed and 24 614 injured. As of 9 January 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) had verified 2209 attacks on health care facilities in Ukraine, leading to 205 deaths and 698 injuries since 24 February 2022.
The humanitarian crisis in Ukraine has reached a scale of undeniable severity. With the ongoing conflict, the UN reports an astonishing 12.7 million people in dire need of urgent humanitarian assistance and 9.2 million with health needs. The unpredictability of the conflict’s evolution could either see a further deterioration of conditions or a potential stabilization of the situation.
Insecurity, damage to and lack of maintenance of aging health facilities and medical equipment, shortages of medicines and medical supplies, understaffing, and curtailed access to referral hospitals and pharmacies have all taken a toll on the provision and accessibility of health care services. The war's impact on public health is of grave concern, particularly as public funding is redirected towards military expenses.
Despite the resilience of Ukraine's health system and generally high access to certain health services, obtaining care near the contact line remains challenging, particularly in rural areas. In conflict-affected regions (“oblasts”), WHO has noted partial or complete disruptions in primary care services and a significant increase in trauma and emergency medical needs. Both prehospital and hospital sectors across the country are overwhelmed with acute trauma and burn patients. Additionally, barriers such as cost, time, and transportation constraints further delay or prevent access to medical care.
Health system recovery remains one of WHO's key priorities in Ukraine, which goes beyond rebuilding damaged or destroyed medical facilities. WHO aims to support the country in restoring essential services, and the financing of these essential services, such as rehabilitation, primary health care (PHC), public health surveillance, all of which are critical for overall national recovery.
The war has intensified mental health challenges, with approximately 9.6 million people estimated to be at risk of or living with a mental health condition. WHO is responding to the mental health crisis, including through its support to the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program, initiated by First Lady Olena Zelenska.
Access to rehabilitation care is hampered by non-operational or functional rehabilitation referral pathways, gaps in the provision of assistive products to the person upon discharge from the hospital, and major gaps in specialized rehabilitation services. Barriers for persons with disabilities accessing humanitarian services are present, putting them at a heightened risk. The Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine reports that 6% of the population are persons with disabilities. However, given the multiple barriers related to the disability status process in Ukraine, including technical and administrative challenges, this is a significant underestimate. WHO estimates that the prevalence in Ukraine is equal to or more than the WHO global average, standing at 16%. Increased injury rates, breakdown of health and other critical services and displacement contribute to increased disabilities in Ukraine. Disability is a critical driver of humanitarian needs and requires to be actively considered across humanitarian programmes and processes.