GENEVA — The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that one of its main warehouses holding humanitarian medical supplies in the Kyiv region of Ukraine was hit by an air attack overnight. The strike has left the site shrouded in heavy smoke, limiting access for assessment teams.
Ongoing damage assessment and safety concerns
WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier said no WHO personnel were injured, but the agency is still evaluating the extent of damage and any loss of stock. “Access to the site remains restricted due to heavy smoke and safety concerns, while assessments of possible damage and stock losses are ongoing,” he told reporters in Geneva.
Pattern of attacks on humanitarian aid
This incident follows a series of assaults on WHO facilities in Ukraine. In August, a WHO warehouse in Dnipro was struck, destroying roughly half of the medical supplies intended for an estimated 225,000 people in frontline and hard‑to‑reach areas. Earlier, in July, another warehouse near Kyiv suffered damage during a large‑scale wave of attacks on the capital.
Lindmeier noted that 2026 has already seen at least 20 attacks on warehouses storing humanitarian aid, including 15 targeting health‑related supplies. “The attacks are part of a broader pattern affecting humanitarian operations across the country,” he said.
Alternative storage identified
In response to the latest strike, the WHO has identified alternative storage locations to ensure that essential medical supplies can continue to reach those in need. The agency emphasized its commitment to maintaining the flow of aid despite the hostile environment.
These developments underscore the challenges faced by humanitarian organizations operating in conflict zones, where the safety of staff and the security of life‑saving supplies are constantly under threat.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.