Damaged hospitals, impeded ambulance services, medical personnel and patients in danger, broken electricity, water, gas and telephone service: explosive weapons used in the east of Ukraine have had a major impact on the health care sector, both directly and indirectly. These impacts are detailed in the report ‘Operating under Fire’ published today by Dutch NGO PAX and the Harvard Law School’s International Human Rights Clinic (IHRC).
Since the beginning of the conflict in 2014, the use of explosive weapons in Ukraine has caused widespread damage. The report ‘Operating under Fire’ shows that when explosive weapons are used in populated areas, they often inflict harm on the health care system, even when they are not intentionally directed at hospitals.
The report, based on field research conducted in communities along the front line in the east of Ukraine, sheds light on how these impacts have caused a decline in the quality, availability, and accessibility of health care, affecting the people who depend on it.
PAX is member of the Steering Committee of the International Network on Explosive Weapons (INEW) and calls for an international political commitment to prevent the harm caused by the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.
Operating under Fire is a joint publication by Harvard Law School’s International Human Rights Clinic (IHRC) and PAX.
Download the report Operating under Fire.
Download the summary and recommendations.
Learn more about our work on explosive weapons in populated areas.
Learn more about our work in Ukraine.
