Healthcare facilities in Ukraine, including ambulances, are often targeted by shelling. Since the start of the full-scale war, WHO has registered 1,940 attacks on healthcare facilities in Ukraine Healthcare
On World Humanitarian Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that there have been 1,940 attacks on Ukrainian health facilities since Russia’s full-scale invasion began on 24 February 2022. This is the highest number of such attacks the WHO has ever recorded in a humanitarian emergency worldwide.
Healthcare Facilities and Ambulances
86 percent of attacks targeted health facilities, with a significant proportion involving heavy weapons. Moreover, attacks on health facilities have significantly escalated since December 2023, occurring almost daily.
In addition, as noted by the WHO, since February 2022, an average of 200 ambulances per year have been damaged or destroyed as a result of shelling. Because of this the population living near the front line has had significantly limited access to medical care.
Medical staff and the “double attacks”
Healthcare workers are also often victims of shelling, the WHO reports. “In 2024, we are seeing many double attacks,” said Jarno Habicht, WHO representative in Ukraine.
As Emanuel Bruni, one of the organization’s staff in the country, said, health workers are being killed and injured as a result of repeated attacks on sites that have already been attacked. He recalled in particular a case that happened in Odessa: “Seven months ago, after the first attack, an emergency medical worker ran quickly to the site where it happened, ignoring the sirens, ignoring the warnings – this is the spirit of health workers. It’s a sad story that broke my heart: this young emergency medical worker was the victim of a second attack [on the same site].”
Last year, 24 deaths were recorded among health workers and patients, with a total of 34 people killed in attacks on health facilities in the first 7 and a half months of 2024. Moreover, the injury rate this year has exceeded not only the figures for 2023, but also for 2022: 229 people were injured. Overall, every fourth attack on healthcare facilities this year has resulted in injuries.
“There are now more attacks on civilian infrastructure than before. We are losing colleagues – medical workers, nurses, doctors, paramedics. This year, many more medics have been injured than before,” said Jarno Habicht.
According to WHO, first responders are three times more likely to be attacked than other health workers.
WHO Assistance
At the start of the full-scale invasion, WHO distributed some 3,750 tonnes of medical supplies and equipment, including ambulances, medicines and generators, to several regions of the country.
“Since February 2022, WHO has provided medical assistance to 15 million people. In 2024, we will focus our efforts on the humanitarian needs of 3.4 million people,” Habicht said.
The Ukrainian health system continues to prove its resilience and remains functional in government-controlled areas, WHO notes. Despite ongoing attacks, health authorities continue to respond quickly to problems. Humanitarian organizations are also doing their part to fill existing gaps in the health system and improve access to health care, including in frontline areas.
“Ukrainian health workers are real heroes,” Habicht said.
“Despite ongoing attacks, despite all the problems, they show themselves to be at their best again and again. On World Humanitarian Day and every day, we at WHO pay tribute to them – and pledge to be their support now and always,” he concluded.