Rehabilitation of Health Infrastructure in Ukraine
The Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine has caused widespread destruction, deaths, population displacement and human suffering and has created a need for multi-sectoral humanitarian assistance for at least 17.6 million people in 2023. This figure includes 6.3 million internally displaced persons, 4.4 million returnees and 6.9 million people who have remained in their homes throughout the war.
Médecins du Monde – Greece launched emergency health and protection actions at the Siret entry border in Romania on 10 March 2022 to support the thousands of people fleeing Ukraine after the start of the new war. During the same, initial phase, the organisation also supported 7 shelters for Ukrainian citizens established in the Siret area.
Simultaneously, the organisation started to assess the conditions and needs inside Ukraine, in the Chernivtsi region. Following a participatory approach, which prioritized close cooperation with local authorities, local and international humanitarian aid organizations and other actors in the region, MdM-Greece also launched operations inside Ukraine through the operation of a mobile medical unit (MMU). At the same time, MdM-Greece, in cooperation with local partners such as HELP UKRAINE, organized the transport and distribution of essential medical equipment, medicines and medical consumables to health facilities throughout Ukraine. To date, more than 100 tons of humanitarian aid (including food and essentials) have been delivered to more than 20 health facilities and 5 local NGOs in 8 regions (Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Volyn, Odesa, Donetsk, Sumy, Chernihiv) across Ukraine.
Aim of the project
MdM-Greece aims to improve access to integrated health, psychosocial support and protection services for affected populations living in rural, isolated areas and to strengthen the resilience of local communities and services. To achieve this, we are working at three different levels: a) supporting conflict-affected and at-risk people at the individual level b) strengthening community support networks through teamwork and c) strengthening community resilience through awareness raising, capacity building and technical support to local health and welfare systems.
The organisation has obtained official accreditation in the country (registration) and has also become an official partner of UN-OCHA. At the same time, MdM-Greece in cooperation with the World Bank is developing a pilot psychosocial support program including trainings for health professionals and community members in Sumy, Chernivtsi and Odesa districts.
The H.I.R. Project aims to improve the health situation of conflict-affected populations in 2 selected regions of Ukraine (namely Chernivtsi and Sumy), increasing access to a comprehensive package of health services for all, leaving no one behind. The project includes the rehabilitation of critical health infrastructure, the provision of essential medicines and medical equipment, as well as training of local health professionals according to their needs.
Working with local residents, involving them in planning and organising learning and empowerment activities that are relevant to them, is an important way to relieve stress and increase confidence in the face of more difficult and complex tasks, such as those undertaken in the context of a crisis. Motivation further supports the engagement of local populations by helping to build resilience. MdM-Greece will also integrate a peace-building approach into its intervention, supporting the peaceful coexistence of different communities, an important issue in relation to the large-scale population movements taking place across the country.
Finally, the organisation is working with Médecins du Monde-Japan (funded by the Japan Platform) to implement the H.I.R. Project, an intervention that includes renovation work on 4 selected health facilities in Sumy and Chernivsti districts.
