International Medical Corps Responds as Eastern Ukraine’s Health System Collapses in Midst of Conflict

Los Angeles, CA - Shelling has damaged several health facilities in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, the region that has seen the fiercest fighting during the recent conflict between Ukrainian and separatist forces. A team of International Medical Corps experts in the region found that some health facilities have been looted and many facilities lack food and water for patients. The team also found medical professionals have left the area and supply chains are broken, leaving hospitals and health centers without lifesaving medicines or equipment. The combination of physical infrastructure damage and lack of staff means health care is non-existent in many rural areas and at minimal levels in others.

 

“We call on armed combatants involved in the conflict in Eastern Ukraine to respect international humanitarian law and the responsibility all parties have for the protection of innocent civilians and for according them access to humanitarian assistance,” said Chris Skopec, Senior Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response, International Medical Corps. “The longer the fighting continues, the greater the damage to fragile health systems and more innocent people, including children, will suffer.”

 

International Medical Corps’ team also found widespread mental health, gender-based violence and child protection concerns, which can have immediate as well as long-term consequences for individuals, families and communities. 

The full article continues at https://internationalmedicalcorps.org/press-release/ukraine-response on the International Medical Corps website.