“It's now one month since the Russian Federation invasion of Ukraine began. Almost 10 million people nearly a quarter of Ukraine’s population, have now been forcibly displaced,” Ghebreyesus said.

Ghebreyesus emphasized that the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate in many parts of the country and is critical in Mariupol and Bucha districts.

“The disruption to services and supplies throughout Ukraine is posing an extreme risk to people with cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV and TB, which are among the country's leading causes of mortality,” Ghebreyesus warned and added: “Displacement, poor shelter and overcrowded living conditions caused by the conflict are also Increasing the risk of diseases such as measles pneumonia and polio as well as covid-19.”

“So far, WHO has delivered about 150 metric tons of medical supplies. We have established supply lines from our warehouse in Lviv to many cities in Ukraine, but access to many parts of the country remains blocked.”

Ghebreyesus said that a humanitarian convoy to Mariupol was not able to be dispatched due to insecurity.

He underlined that “health Systems, facilities, and health workers are not and should not never be a target.”

Expressing his concerns around the integrity and safe operation of nuclear and chemical facilities, he went on to say: “WHO is working with the International Atomic Energy Agency and we continue to call on all sides to minimize the risk of a nuclear or chemical accident, which could have catastrophic consequences for human health. We continue to call on the Russian Federation to stop the work.”

WHO has so far verified 64 attacks on health care in Ukraine. These attacks have caused 15 deaths and 37 injuries. (ILKHA)