Two years on, Ukraine’s health crisis is worsening

• Two years after the escalation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Humanity & Inclusion (HI) is seeing an increase in the health needs of people and communities most-at-risk, particularly those living near the frontline in the East and the South of Ukraine.
• Reduced access to basic needs such as medical care is having serious consequences: a general deterioration in people's health, the worsening of chronic diseases and the appearance of complications for certain patients
• Exposure to constant stress in the context of an ongoing war affects people's health, weakening them both psychologically and physically.
• The World Health Organisation estimates that more than 10 million Ukrainians have needed psychological support since the start of the conflict and, according to a report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Ukraine “already had one of the highest mental health burdens in the world due to historical trauma.”
• Providing victims of the conflict with rehabilitation care and psychosocial support remains one of HI's priorities in Ukraine.

Limited or no access to healthcare 

Difficulties in accessing healthcare are among the most frequent humanitarian needs encountered by HI teams in Ukraine. The challenge is particularly severe in rural areas, territories close to the front line and in the oblasts bordering Russia. 

Irina Yashchuk, head of HI's health project in Dnipro explains: "Reduced access to basic needs such as medical care is having serious consequences: a general deterioration in people's health and the worsening of chronic diseases or the appearance of complications in certain patients. Exposure to constant stress in the context of an ongoing war can also affect people's health, weakening them both psychologically and physically." 

HI's mobile teams in Eastern Ukraine are seeking to support vulnerable people who can’t access the healthcare they need because of the war, providing physical rehabilitation and psychosocial support. These include people like Antonina, who was suffering from cancer and undergoing chemotherapy when fighting broke out in Vuhledar. She suffered a stroke shortly after seeking refuge in Novomoskovsk with her husband. Now, Maria Topka, 22, an HI physiotherapist, visits her regularly to provide her with physical therapy. 

Living in constant fear 

"People are living with constant uncertainty and say they are also living in a state of permanent tension. If you don't know what's going to happen, you can't look to the future. The result of this chronic stress is a deterioration in people’s general health, particularly among the elderly", says Irina. 

HI runs support groups with the most vulnerable war-affected communities to help them share their feelings, forge ties and strengthen their resilience. This need is confirmed by the figures: the World Health Organisation estimates that more than 10 million Ukrainians have needed psychological support since the start of the conflict. 

The aim of these support sessions is to reduce the chronic stress experienced by the victims of the conflict and to help them cope with their day-to-day difficulties. 

Olena, one of the participants in HI’s psychological support group sessions, told us that she sometimes feels depressed by the "constant stress of the last two years", but finds great comfort in these regular meetings. They give her "motivation, strength and energy".

She adds: "Today, a bloody war is raging in Ukraine. People are suffering every day from anxiety, worry, rocket fire and destruction…. Everyone is suffering – those under occupation, but also those enjoying relative peace. Everyone is affected by the war. That's why people need psychological relief, positive emotions, psychological support, so that the war doesn’t drive them crazy. Because life goes on".          

Notes

• Interviews available upon request with HI’s mental health and rehabilitation specialists in Ukraine 

Humanity & Inclusion’s response in Ukraine: 

• Almost 16,000 rehabilitation sessions (approx 2,400 beneficiaries) provided in Ukraine, including 689 receiving specialised rehabilitation services (burns) 
• 540 health staff trained in physical rehabilitation and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) 
• 1,300 frontline community focal points trained in physical rehabilitation and MHPSS 
• 3,700 group and individual MHPSS sessions provided to 6,700 beneficiaries
• 11,700 hygiene kits distributed to 15,000 beneficiaries and 54 collective centres supported 
• 3,700 individuals identified, assessed and referred to appropriate services and 120 individuals (frontline workers, community representatives) trained on protection and inclusion principles 
• 3,200 community-based Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) sessions (on-site and online) conducted, reaching more than 89,000 beneficiaries. 2,800 humanitarian workers and 337 community focal points trained. 
• HI Staff: 306 Staff (270 nationals + 36 international) in Ukraine and 6 in Moldova (3 internationals and 3 national staff)