AS THE WAR IN UKRAINE ENTERS ITS THIRD YEAR. MÉDECINS DU MONDE PRESSES FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR CONTINUOUS AND HOLISTIC HEALTH SUPPORT FOR THE POPULATION.
Loss of loved ones, illness, displacement, uncertainty, economic hardship, and constant air raids all over the country: For two years Ukrainians have had to endure the realities of living in a country at war. And the longer it continues, the greater the risks for their physical and mental health.
As the second anniversary of the full-scale invasion approaches, Médecins du Monde calls on the International Community to support the Ukrainian healthcare system, particularly highlighting the mental health needs of the population with its video campaign #AsLongAsItTakes.
THE IMPACT ON HEALTH
More than half of the Ukrainian population has experienced a potentially traumatizing event and needs psychological support of varying intensity, according to 2023 data by the government and international NGOs. Near the frontline people are suffering the most while lacking access to basic resources, including health care. But in other parts of the country, a large section of the population also experiences severe levels of anxiety and hopelessness.
Society in Ukraine has been in a state of permanent uncertainty for two years now, as no diplomatic path to a ceasefire is in sight. The fact of the constant recruitment and the significant number of millions of displaced persons inside and outside Ukraine has significantly eroded the social cohesion of the country. Pre-existing economic and social problems have been worsened while the fear of death is intensified by the blind rocket attacks and the dropping of bombs throughout the country. On a personal level, the effects of war lead to severe psychosomatic manifestations, with panic attacks, depressive symptoms and other more serious mental disorders being more common in both adults and children.
Since the beginning of the full-scale war, more than 92,000 Ukrainians have received care by Médecins du Monde employees. Over 17,680 received mental health and psychosocial support. In total, Médecins du Monde carried out more than 131,900 consultations.
Meanwhile, since the beginning of the war, 122 health workers have been killed and 237 injured. Moreover, 21 humanitarian workers were killed and 40 wounded, the majority of which are national workers. Médecins du Monde reminds the parties involved that humanitarian workers and infrastructures must not be the target of attacks, according to International Humanitarian Law!
MDM-GREECE RESPONSE IN UKRAINE
MdM-Greece in Ukraine aims to improve access to comprehensive health, psychosocial support and protection services for populations affected by war and to strengthen the resilience of local communities, national infrastructure and territorial services through synergies with local partners, key populations, national and international institutions.
The organization’s operational approach includes three different layers of intervention:
- Supporting people affected by the conflict and people at risk on the individual and family level
- Strengthening community-based support networks through teamwork and
- Enhancing community resilience through awareness, capacity building and technical support to the local health and welfare systems.
MdM-Greece initiated emergency health & protection operations at the border point of Siret in Romania, on March 10th, 2022. Initially, MdM-Greece partnered with Chernivtsi Regional Council and supported the local health system by deploying a Medical Mobile Unit (MMU) in the eastern part of the Oblast, performing health outreach in remote and rural areas as well as referrals /transfers of patients in need of specialized treatment. From December 2023 onwards, this activity was scaled up in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, in partnership with Kuty City Council.
In addition, MdM-Greece in collaboration with the Odesa based NGO Way Home provided PHC and MHPSS services to local vulnerable populations and IDPs. In the meantime, almost 100 tons of humanitarian aid in the form of medicines, medical consumables and equipment as well as food, NFIs and hygiene items has been successfully delivered to several health facilities and communities across Ukraine.
Currently, with the support of Americares MdM-Greece implements a project in Sumy aiming to increase access to a comprehensive package of PHC services and support the resilience of the local health system via the operation of one Medical Mobile Unit (MMU) and the provision of MHPSS services. As well, in collaboration with MdM-Japan and the financial support of the Japanese people (Japan MoFa) MdM-Greece is reconstructing three hospitals in Chernivtsi and Sumy Oblasts while it also upscales medical procurement and distributions of medical equipment, medicines and medical consumables, including assistive devices for people with disabilities and older people.
Last but not least, MdM-Greece with the financial support of the World Bank implemented the project Fill in the MHPSS Gap aiming to contribute to the development of a blueprint, an MHPSS model, for appropriate minimum community-based MHPSS services with an emphasis to targeting underserviced peripheral locations.
Médecins du Monde will remain in Ukraine, taking care of the health of the population and will continue to be there for #AsLongAsItTakes