Summary

Two years since full-scale war erupted across Ukraine, MSF teams have continued responding to the severe humanitarian crisis in the country and neighbouring states. Over the last 12 months, we have focused on providing medical and mental health care in eastern and southern Ukraine, while at the same time responding to other health needs, notably for physiotherapy, in central Ukraine. Some of our activities are now winding up or being handed over to the Ukrainian Ministry of Health or other nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).

Context

Following continuous low-level conflict in eastern Ukraine since 2014, in late February 2022, Russian forces attacked multiple cities across all of Ukraine, leading to full-scale war. According to the UNHCR, as of late January 2024, the intense fighting and shelling have left 3.7 million people internally displaced and 6.3 million have left the country as refugees.  

For details on MSF’s response during 2022, please refer to the report produced in February 2023 or visit our website at www.doctorswithoutborders.ca.

MSF's 2023 response in Ukraine

In 2023, MSF teams continued to support the Ukrainian healthcare system by filling in the gaps caused by the war, working predominately in the south and east of the country. Our teams worked across five key areas: 

evacuations and referrals

medical and mental health care via mobile clinics

surgical, emergency and intensive care services

physiotherapy

treatment for post-traumatic stress