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On 10 September 2026, more than 270 participants from Ukraine, Europe and beyond came together in Kyiv, Ukraine, and online for the international conference “Rural Health in Wartime: Practical approaches to service delivery, community health, and workforce support.”
Based on the discussions held during the multi-stakeholder workshop following the "Rural Health in Wartime" conference, participants developed a shared Call to Action outlining four priority areas. These reflect a shared understanding that improving rural health requires better evidence and analysis, practical solutions for service delivery in the communities, a coherent policy approach, and mechanisms to keep the work moving. These recommendations call on all stakeholders involved in planning, financing, delivering, and supporting healthcare services, including national and local authorities, health institutions, international agencies, donors, and international and local organizations, to advance the outlined four priority areas.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) commits to supporting Ukraine's health system, learning alongside it, and contributing to the implementation of this Call to Action. We will place our expertise, operational experience, and resources behind efforts to strengthen rural health services by expanding the evidence base on rural health; providing technical expertise to policy dialogue, working groups, and coordination mechanisms; sharing operational experience from rural, remote, and frontline service delivery; documenting and evaluating promising approaches; supporting the testing and adaptation of innovative models where appropriate; and connecting Ukrainian institutions and partners with relevant international experience and evidence. We call on our valued partners and donors to join us in further supporting the implementation of this Call to Action and investing in stronger, more resilient rural health systems for Ukraine's future.
