Ukraine Health Cluster Bulletin #4 (April 2024) – Update on Health Situation in Ukraine

The humanitarian situation in April 2024 in Ukraine remained dire, with intensifying hostilities near the frontline and large-scale attacks on energy infrastructure and residential neighborhoods. These attacks led to blackouts and civilian casualties, with at least 129 civilians killed and 574 injured during the month. The number of injured has been rising significantly for the past two months. Double-tap strikes targeted first responders, and attacks on health facilities continued, with 110 verified attacks on healthcare resulting in 11 deaths and 46 injuries to healthcare workers and patients.

Humanitarian aid facilities were also targeted in intensified attacks, making it difficult to deliver critical healthcare support in areas where the health system has already suffered damage. For example, an office of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Donetska oblast was heavily damaged in a strike on 5 April, injuring five people and causing the NGO to temporarily suspend some activities in the region. Despite reduced access in certain areas, health partners continued to coordinate efforts to reach an estimated 3,447 individuals with rapid humanitarian health assistance since December 2023.

In response to the escalating attacks, the Health Cluster in Ukraine reviewed and published an updated Emergency Response and Preparedness plan in April 2024. This revised plan takes into account current developments and incorporates the latest information on partner capacity and preparedness to effectively support the Ministry of Health (MoH). Additionally, on 3 April, the Ukraine Health Cluster, Ministry of Social Policy, MoH, and Ukrainian Public Health Center organized a Q&A session with health partners to discuss new legislation related to the importation of commodities as humanitarian aid in Ukraine, which went into effect on 1 April.