UNAIDS condemns the destruction of lifesaving HIV supplies in Ukraine

UNAIDS strongly condemns the destruction of a warehouse containing HIV supplies in the region of Kyiv. The warehouse, which was destroyed on 19 July, was used by Ukraine's National HIV Prevention Programme to store HIV prevention supplies for programmes reaching more than 300,000 people each year.

Thanks to advance distribution across Ukraine, services will continue uninterrupted through to the end of 2026. However, the destroyed supplies were intended for 2027 and must be urgently replaced to prevent future shortages.

"Attacks on medical facilities and lifesaving health commodities violate international humanitarian law," said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. "Even in war, there are rules. Health facilities and medical supplies must never be targeted. Destroying HIV prevention supplies puts lives at risk, and I must speak out."

UNAIDS is working with the Ministry of Health and partners to replace the lost supplies and ensure uninterrupted access to HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care. Protecting these lifesaving services is an urgent priority.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations-UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank-and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.