HIV response and the war in Ukraine

Ukraine has one of the highest HIV infection rates in Europe but has also had a highly effective national response: between 2010 and 2021 there was a 47% decline in new HIV infections. In February 2022, Russia invades Ukraine and millions flee the country, severely destabilising the HIV response. More than 250 health-care institutions are destroyed by shelling, missiles and air strikes. The community and international response brings hope, however. Community-led services remain operational and even become 24-hour humanitarian hubs, while millions of dollars are pledged to maintain prevention, testing and treatment services.