Ukraine – Emergency Humanitarian Assistance – World Health Organization (WHO) 2022

March 2022 – The humanitarian situation in Ukraine deteriorated significantly following the Russian military offensive beginning 24 February which has resulted in over 2 million people displaced to neighbouring countries including Poland Hungary Romania Moldova and Slovakia and nearly 1.5 million people internally displaced. The UN estimates that over 12 million people will need humanitarian assistance over the next three months and the UNHCR estimates that as many as 4 million people could seek refuge in neighbouring countries. On March 1 2022 humanitarian partners issued appeals for approximately USD 2 billion to support the humanitarian response inside Ukraine over the next three months as well as the humanitarian needs of Ukrainians seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. In light of the complexity of the crisis it is anticipated that humanitarian needs will grow commensurately which will require ongoing donor support to allow partners to scale up their humanitarian response in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. With GAC’s support the World Health Organization (WHO) respond to immediate health needs. Project activities include: (1) treating the wounded trauma-affected and others in need of health care prioritizing emergency medical services people with disabilities older persons children and other vulnerable groups; (2) providing life-saving sexual and reproductive health services including prenatal care; and (3) containing COVID-19 through testing vaccines medical supplies and bolstering public health protocols.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased access to essential life-saving health services; (2) improved coordination of emergency health responses globally; and (3) strengthened health information management and surveillance in Ukraine and surrounding countries. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in the targeted regions.