“During the 1,534 days of war, Ukraine’s healthcare system suffered repeated attacks,” the statement said.
Every aspect of the system has been targetedfrom primary health care centers to maternity wards, ambulance crews and pharmaceutical warehouses.
“This cannot be normalized”
About 80 percent of attacks hit outpatient clinics, hospitals and other healthcare facilities. They caused immediate losses, but also disruptions in service delivery and damage to critical infrastructure, ultimately eroding the capacity of the health system.
Attacks on ambulances and other health vehicles accounted for about 20 percent. Nearly a third of incidents resulted in casualtiesmaking medical transportation one of the highest risk areas for injury and death.
“Each of these attacks constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law and each represents an inaccessible patient, a health worker in danger, a community left without care.” said Dr Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe.
“This cannot be normalized. Under international humanitarian law, health care is protected.”
Increasing number of victims and growing needs
The assault on Ukraine’s health infrastructure has significantly hampered the ability of medical staff to provide essential care as needs increase.
Some 12.7 million people across the country need humanitarian assistanceincluding 9.2 million who need health support, according to UN figures. In the meantime, civilian casualties increased by approximately 31 percent compared to 2025.
“Since the beginning of this year alone, 186 attacks on health care verified by WHO have left 15 dead and at least 81 injured, and this figure continues to rise,” said Dr. Jarno Habicht, the agency’s representative in Ukraine.
“Compared to the same period in 2025, the number of deaths has almost quadrupled, while injuries have almost doubled. »
Underground maternity hospitals were built near combat zones in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
Ongoing support required
Viktor Liashko, Minister of Health of Ukraine, expressed his gratitude to WHO and its partners for their support. He said the latest estimates show it will cost $23.6 billion to rebuild the health sector over the next decade.
“At the same time, we are doing everything we can to ensure that patients have access to necessary medical care,” he added.
WHO stressed the need to maintain and strengthen Ukraine’s health system to ensure uninterrupted access to millions of people across the country.
Just last year, WHO supported 1.9 million people with essential health servicesnearly 1,000 health facilities equipped with medicines and equipment, and more than 2,500 health workers thanks to training.
In addition, more than 6,400 patients benefited from medical evacuation abroad to receive specialized care.
Help for farmers
Meanwhile, two United Nations entities have launched a program to help small farmers in Khersonska Oblast in southern Ukraine restore agricultural land and revive war-affected agricultural activities.
The initiative is launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture.
The partners have launched a new call for applications to the State Agrarian Register (SAR) for farmers from four communities whose lands have been affected by hostilities and even more affected by drought.
Eligible candidates include agricultural producers cultivating between three and 300 hectares of land located a safe distance from the front line.
Cash, seeds and advice
Those selected will receive cash assistance and vouchers to purchase items such as drought-adapted seeds, drip irrigation kits and other agricultural inputs needed to resume production.
They will also receive advice and support in applying for the state’s compensation program for humanitarian mine clearance.
The initiative is being implemented with financial support from the Ukraine Community Recovery Fund (UCRF), a UN-backed entity.
It is part of a larger $2.6 million joint FAO and UNOPS project, funded by UCRF, aimed at helping farming communities in the Kherson region safely return to agricultural production.
