Photo: © ДСНС України
On Palm Sunday, a time that for many marks a time of hope, peace and preparation for the celebration of Easter, the city of Sumy in Ukraine was the focus of a particularly vicious attack. Two ballistic missiles struck the centre of the city, causing a tragic toll: dozens of victims, while more than a hundred people were injured, including children. The attack hit a densely populated area, leaving behind extensive damage, human suffering and serious needs for immediate humanitarian support.
In the aftermath of this attack, MdM stresses that the protection of civilians is a cornerstone and non-negotiable treaty of humanitarian law, emphasizing that at such critical moments, the need for international solidarity becomes more urgent than ever.
During the attacks, the Sumi State University, in the heart of the city, which had been scheduled to host the MhGAP training course of MdM, was severely damaged. The seminar, aimed at students and faculty, was to be held in one of the few venues in the area that offered shelter in case of danger.
In conditions that are volatile and extreme, the uninterrupted presence of Doctors of the World in the region since the beginning of the escalation of the conflict in 2022 remains vital. With a stable presence in four regions of Ukraine, MdM Greece offers support and builds the resilience of local communities and regions by providing essential care and psychosocial support to those affected, as the needs grow exponentially every day. In cities like Sumy, where infrastructure is crumbling and conditions are becoming particularly difficult, the presence and action of the organization is critical to effectively respond to the needs of the local community.
As the hope for peace is constantly being undermined and the humanitarian space is being brutally affected, the presence of organizations that can offer valuable support becomes critical and necessary to meet the growing needs and to protect communities threatened by war.