20.02.2024 – 05:35
Doctors of the World eV
Berlin (ots)
On the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Doctors of the World calls for continued support of the population’s physical and mental health.
Loss of relatives, illness, displacement, insecurity, economic hardship and constant air raids: Ukrainians are suffering massively from the state of war that has now lasted two years. And the longer it lasts, the greater the risks to their physical and mental health. As the second anniversary of the Russian invasion approaches, Doctors of the World is calling on the international community to support Ukraine’s healthcare system. With its video campaign #AsLongAsItTakes, the organization is simultaneously shining a spotlight on the psychological stress on the population.
More than half of Ukrainians have experienced a potentially traumatizing event and need psychological support, according to government and international NGO data last year. People near the frontline suffer the most as they lack access to basic resources such as medical care. But in other parts of the country, a large part of the population also suffers from high levels of fear and hopelessness.
“There is a constant feeling of uncertainty that is extremely stressful. People don’t know when the war will be over. They don’t know when they or someone close to them will be drafted to fight on the front lines. The war “exacerbates pre-existing systemic, community and individual problems. So on top of the fear of being killed by a missile, people’s everyday difficulties are added. All of this can lead to severe psychosomatic symptoms, panic attacks, depression or worse,” says Panagiotis Chondros , Mental Health Coordinator at Doctors of the World.
At the same time, due to the armed conflict, the health system in many places is unable to meet the population’s increasing need for medical care. Doctors of the World‘s mobile medical teams, which also include psychologists, help fill these gaps. In addition, the organization aims to promote people’s mental health before serious illness occurs. For example, by training specialists such as family doctors and social workers. They are trained to recognize warning signs in their patients and clients, but also to develop greater resilience themselves. Another innovative means are so-called playback theater performances, which can effectively help viewers deal with their problems and promote cohesion within communities.
“In the first session I couldn’t speak, I just cried. I’ve been taking part in individual sessions with the psychologist from Ärzte der Welt for a few months now and I’m feeling much better emotionally. She has taught me to see the world through different eyes . Now I have the strength to move on with my life,” says Yuliya Nikolaenko, a patient of a Doctors of the World psychologist in the village of Shyshkivka, Chernihiv region.
Since the start of the war, Doctors of the World employees have supported more than 92,000 Ukrainians. More than 17,680 received psychological and psychosocial care. In total, Doctors of the World has conducted more than 131,900 consultations.
And Doctors of the World will continue to be there for people. As long as it is necessary.
(About the video campaign #AsLongAsItTakes:
However, this requires protecting the health infrastructure and staff. Since the start of the war, 122 health care workers have been killed and 237 injured. In addition, 21 humanitarian workers were killed and 40 wounded, most of them local forces. Doctors of the World reminds those responsible that humanitarian workers and infrastructure must not be the target of attacks in accordance with international humanitarian law!
Our experts in Ukraine are available for interviews.
Press contact:
Stephanie Kirchner
The press officer
Doctors of the World eV
m. +49 (0) 159 0406 2104
@ [email protected]
Original content from: Ärzte der Welt eV, transmitted by news aktuell