Ukraine

Now entering its fifth year, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine continues to attack crucial health and social systems, leaving 10.8 million people in urgent need of humanitarian aid. For the 2.5 million women of reproductive age and more than 130,000 pregnant women nationwide, the right to safe healthcare is under constant threat.

The conflict has rocked the foundations of maternal care, with general and specialized health facilities severely damaged across the country. The destruction, frequent power cuts and water shortages have all made childbirth increasingly dangerous.

The war has also created widespread displacement and a severe protection crisis, with 2.9 million people in urgent need of gender-based violence response services. UNFPA is actively addressing this critical gap through a network of safe spaces, shelters and mobile teams. These resources are vital, offering survivors services such as trauma-informed counselling and legal assistance, providing a path to safety when people’s homes are insecure.

UNFPA continues to strengthen maternal and newborn health services, even under the threat of air raids. This includes helping to construct reinforced, underground maternity units to ensure safe childbirth in key areas, such as  Kharkiv, Kherson and Sumy. Mobile medical teams are able to reach remote areas to support women and newborns with essential medicines and life-saving equipment.

Updated 23 February 2026