Ukraine: 2026 Summer risk assessment
Overview
As Ukraine approaches the summer of 2026, the health sector is operating under the dual pressure of prolonged war and intensifying climate-related risks. The continuity of essential health services remains fragile, largely due to recurrent disruptions in electricity supply. Power outages affect the functioning of critical medical equipment and disrupt cold-chain systems required for vaccines and temperature-sensitive medicines. At the community level, unreliable electricity constrains safe storage of food and undermines basic hygiene practices. People living with noncommunicable diseases, including cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, respiratory diseases and mental health conditions, face heightened risks, as their care depends on stable access to treatment, medications and functioning health infrastructure. In parallel, damage to energy systems has compromised water treatment and distribution, weakening water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services. These disruptions increase the likelihood of water contamination and elevate the risk of waterborne diseases.
This risk assessment identifies extreme heat as the primary public health hazard for summer 2026. It draws on historical climate data to assess exposure trends, vulnerable population groups, assess health-care service accessibility and system resilience and provide evidence-based recommendations to mitigate the public health impacts of extreme heat in Ukraine.
