© WHO-Europe Fire at a WHO warehouse in Ukraine after a missile attack. (Archive) WHO reported 3,205 attacks on the Ukrainian healthcare system Healthcare
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, there have been 3,205 attacks on healthcare facilities. The representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) for Ukraine, Jarno Habicht, announced this on Friday.
Such attacks undermine the ability of humanitarian organizations to provide support to victims.
“In 2026, 20 attacks on warehouses with humanitarian supplies have already been recorded, including 13 warehouses where medical supplies were stored,” said Habicht. “As a result, we have lost a significant amount of medicine and equipment intended to help 225 thousand people,” he added. deliver aid to hard-to-reach areas
In 2026, nine WHO humanitarian convoys and 22 UN interagency convoys (the last two of which departed today for the Donetsk region) delivered medicine, equipment and other medical supplies to more than 50 communities in hard-to-reach areas.
With WHO support, primary health care teams have provided 13,130 consultations in seven regions of Ukraine over the past eight months. WHO’s humanitarian response, we supported the health system by providing equipment and supplies to more than 300 health facilities – including primary health care centers, hospitals and laboratories, as well as transit points, allowing them to help 3 million people,” said Habicht. stress
The WHO representative also said that the war is placing a heavy burden on the shoulders of medical workers in Ukraine.
A recent WHO study found that more than a quarter of doctors and nurses report symptoms consistent with a depressive disorder, and one in five health care workers show signs of an anxiety disorder.
“Our mission is to introduce additional measures and support tools for those who help people and save lives,” said Habicht.
In order to support the psychological well-being of health workers, WHO has included elements of psychological first aid and self-help skills in training programs for ambulance crews. More than 40 specialists from 11 regions completed the training.
The organization also implements a program designed for primary care and rehabilitation specialists. More than 700 medical workers took part in it. Participants showed significant improvements in psychological well-being and performance, as well as reductions in symptoms of stress, depression, anxiety and PTSD.
Preparing for winter
Jarno Habicht warned that Ukraine is facing another difficult winter, and the World Health Organization is doing everything it can to help Ukrainians prepare for the cold season.
To ensure the smooth functioning of health services, WHO has already installed 30 heating systems in health facilities. Twenty-two more are planned to be installed before winter.