The brutal attack on the Okhmatdyt children's hospital in Ukraine horrified the entire world on Monday. Some parts of the hospital, which treated seriously ill children, are in ruins.
UNICEF joined forces with rescue services, hospital staff and many volunteers to provide immediate help on Monday, July 8, 2024. Many children had to receive further treatment outside the hospital. Among other things, UNICEF provided medical equipment, first aid kits, hygiene articles and drinking water.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Health confirmed yesterday that 627 children were being treated in the Okhmatdyt children's hospital at the time of the attack. Many of these children have now had to be transferred to other medical institutions in Kyiv. UNICEF has already delivered the first emergency supplies to the health facilities that have admitted young patients from the destroyed children's hospital.
Our untiring efforts are currently continuing. At Okhmatdyt children's hospital and other locations impacted by attacks, we are working with our partners to constantly assess the situation and provide targeted relief.
Discussions about the reconstruction of the children's hospital are also under way. UNICEF will support the needs assessment and probably provide some of the funding. Further support is envisaged for the repair of the air-raid shelter of the National Cancer Institute (one of the hospitals that accepted patients from Okhmatdyt) and for the regular oncology treatments of child patients.
