“The devastating energy crisis, the deepening mental health emergency, constraints on humanitarian access and the risk of viral infections will make this winter a formidable test for the Ukrainian health system and the Ukrainian people, but also for the world and its commitment to support Ukraine,” Kluge said.

Kluge noted that half of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure is either damaged or destroyed. “This is already having knock-on effects on the health system and on people’s health.”

WHO has so far verified 703 attacks on health since the war began 9 months ago.  Kluge called these attacks a breach of international humanitarian law and the rules of war.

Last week, Russia hit more energy installations and civilian buildings in one of its heaviest aerial bombardments of the war.

“Continued attacks on health and energy infrastructure mean hundreds of hospitals and health-care facilities are no longer fully operational – lacking fuel, water, and electricity to meet basic needs,” Kluge told a news conference in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.

Kluge stated that 10 million people – a quarter of the population – are without power at the moment.  

Temperatures are predicted to plummet as low as -20 ˚C in parts of the country.

“We expect 2–3 million more people to leave their homes in search of warmth and safety. They will face unique health challenges, including respiratory infections such as COVID-19, pneumonia, and influenza, and the serious risk of diphtheria and measles in under-vaccinated populations,” Kluge said. (ILKHA)