For Immediate Release
Press Release
Kyiv, Ukraine - Today, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink and Minister of Health of Ukraine Viktor Lyashko announced a $45 million partnership to strengthen Ukraine’s public health system. Through the five-year Public Health System Recovery and Resilience Activity, USAID will partner with the Ministry of Health to support Ukraine’s public health reforms, increase preparedness to counter public health threats, strengthen immunization services, and expand mental health services for vulnerable members of society affected by Russia’s war against Ukraine. The activity is funded by the American people and implemented by Pact, Inc.
“The United States, through USAID, is providing emergency assistance to help Ukraine meet public health needs amid Russia’s brutal war. At the same time, we continue to make long-term investments in Ukraine,” said Ambassador Brink. “USAID will help Ukraine build a stronger health system as part of its recovery from Russia’s full-scale invasion. Strong health systems are critical to our goal of a sovereign, independent, democratic, and prosperous Ukraine.”
“Russia's full-scale military invasion of Ukraine has become a challenge to Ukraine’s public health system,” said Minister of Health of Ukraine Lyashko. “It has significantly suffered due to the war and therefore needs strong international support for its recovery. Immediate priorities are to restore essential services, respond to new needs related to physical and mental trauma, protect public health, and provide a secure and attractive environment for the return of health professionals and the general population. The Ministry of Health of Ukraine is very grateful to our international partners for supporting the public health system at this difficult time and for their willingness to continue making long-term investments in Ukraine’s health system. A sustainable public health system brought in line with international standards is our way to a peaceful, prosperous, democratic, and secure future.”
As of 2022, USAID health programs invest more than $40 million each year to strengthen Ukraine’s health systems and support national health reforms; combat infectious diseases such as COVID-19, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS; address vaccine-preventable diseases; and expand access to mental health, psychosocial, and rehabilitation services.
About USAID in Ukraine: This year marks 30 years of partnership between the United States and Ukraine. During that time, the United States, through USAID, has provided roughly $4.8 billion in assistance to help the government and people of Ukraine resist Russia’s aggression and build an independent, democratic, and prosperous society. Following the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine in February 2022, we further increased our support to the Ukrainian government and people as they defend themselves, their country, and their freedom. While we have transformed our assistance to meet the urgent needs created by Russia’s invasion, we remain committed to our long-term strategy for supporting Ukraine’s development: eliminating endemic corruption; strengthening resilience against Russia’s aggression; supporting further, people-centered democratic development; and promoting dynamic, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth. For more information, visit: https://www.usaid.gov/ukraine.