The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a grim milestone on World Humanitarian Day, 19 August 2024: 1,940 attacks on Ukrainian health care have been registered, since the beginning of its full-scale war. The announcement underlines severe, continuous threats to medical facilities, workers, and patients in this context of conflict.
These assaults, states the WHO, have befallen disproportionately against hospitals, ambulances, and healthcare workers and have largely disrupted access to critical health services. The victims include health workers and patients. The majority of them have either lost their lives or have been injured. The attackers include various armed groups, militias, and the military involved in the conflict, especially targeting these health facilities to paralyze medical services and instil fear in people at large. The attacks have been most concentrated in the conflict zones, hitting hard on cities like Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Donetsk.
The continuous violations of international law have received very strong condemnation by the international community. WHO is joining many other global organizations, including the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross, in calling on all parties to respect international humanitarian laws by protecting health care facilities and workers. The Ukrainian government has increased efforts locally towards the protection of health facilities and made calls for international support for health infrastructure strengthening in the country amid the ongoing conflict.
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To read more, visit:
- WHO Report on Health Care Attacks in Ukraine.
- UN News - Attacks on Healthcare
- Chris Beyrer, Assessing the Impact of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine on Health Services
