Kyiv/Kharkiv, May 2, 2024 — In the past several weeks, Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, has faced multiple attacks, including missile strikes and drone bombings that have caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure and led to a sharp increase in casualties among the local population.The city has suffered severe power outages, interruptions in water and heating supply, and a complete halt of trams for public transportation.
Dr Oleksandr Volkov, Kharkiv-based Medical Doctor with IRC, said:
“The people of Kharkiv are increasingly unsettled, with dwindling confidence in the future, particularly in the wake of frequent shelling recently. Living conditions have become increasingly uncomfortable, marking a significant deterioration compared to just six months ago. Many areas still lack electricity, with power being restored only periodically. Additionally, in some buildings, access to water remains scarce.
“Many people in Kharkiv are experiencing heightened anxiety and distress; insomnia is affecting a significant portion of the population. Despite these challenges, the city persists, recognizing the reality of war. Air raid sirens sound day and night, signaling the ever-present risk of shelling. The city has endured heavy bombardment, often targeting essential civilian infrastructure such as schools, kindergartens, hospitals, and energy facilities.
“[In Kharkiv region] People are unable to afford medical supplies for two main reasons: lack of funds and poor logistics exacerbated by the ongoing war. Imagine, people are unable to reach the nearest pharmacy, but also simply do not have the money to buy medicines.”
A recent survey conducted by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in the frontline areas of Ukraine, including Kharkiv, reveals that 54% of people are unable to get prescribed medication, primarily due to financial constraints and medicine shortages. 15% of respondents reported that mental health care is a pressing issue, and 10% of respondents reported feeling the impact of war-related trauma. This underscores the continued need for mental health support, as issues like stress, anxiety, and fear for personal safety prevail close to the frontlines.
Please feel free to reach out if you would like to arrange an interview with Dr. Oleksandr or another one of our doctors to discuss the challenges facing frontline workers and the current state of healthcare services in Ukraine.
About IRC Ukraine Response:
When the war in Ukraine escalated, the IRC launched an emergency response to address the needs of conflict-affected people in Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Bulgaria. Working with partners, we are striving to ensure that people are safe from abuse and exploitation, that children can continue to safely learn, and that displaced people have access to relevant information that enables them to make informed decisions about their next steps. We also run gender-based violence prevention and response activities, and provide mental health and psychological support and inclusion activities focused on boosting employability and economic empowerment. IRC programmes targeting Ukrainian refugees are also active in Greece, Italy, Germany, UK and US.