Issues of Humanitarian Aid in the Russia-Ukraine and Palestine Conflicts: Mental Health and Crisis Response Dissertation

Introduction

This study aims to catalog and examine the daily obstacles relief workers in Ukraine and Russia experience as they try to help needy individuals. Knowing the nuances of this struggle and how it affects millions of people is crucial for the entire world (Catoire, 2022). This study’s overarching goal is to add to our understanding of the difficulties faced by humanitarian groups in providing relief to individuals in need, particularly during times of armed conflict. Almost 1.6 million people have been forced to relocate due to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which began in 2014.

The fighting has also resulted in the widespread destruction of infrastructure and loss of livelihoods, creating substantial humanitarian needs. Aid delivery in conflict zones is fraught with difficulties, and this research tries to assess those difficulties in the specific situation of Ukraine and Russia. There are a few goals for this study. My first goal is to help readers comprehend the challenges faced by humanitarian groups trying to aid victims of this complicated war (Behnassi & El Haiba, 2022). Second, I hope to shed light on humanitarian crisis response that can help shape policy and practice. Finally, I hope to add to the literature on humanitarian aid in war zones, focusing on the situation in Ukraine and Russia.

Project Aim

This study examines the difficulties in providing a humanitarian response that resulted from the war between Russia and Ukraine. Loss of life, displacement, and property damage have all been direct results of this battle, which has been going on since 2014 (Behnassi & El Haiba, 2022). Humanitarian organizations have also had significant difficulties due to the violence in reaching affected populations, delivering aid, and safeguarding civilians (Aribot & Ashford, 2022). This study will concentrate on the effects of the conflict on civilians and will therefore identify and assess the main difficulties encountered by humanitarian responders in the conflict.

Through this work, we hope to better understand the problems humanitarian groups face as they provide aid and protection to affected populations. This study aims to add to the knowledge on humanitarian response in crisis contexts and provide strategies to improve humanitarian aid delivery and safeguard civilians (Aribot & Ashford, 2022). Our ultimate goal is to create a more effective and coordinated humanitarian response by informing policymakers and humanitarian actors on better addressing the needs of affected populations in the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

Objectives

This study seeks to evaluate mental health outcomes across various areas, including Palestine (Gaza), Russia, and Ukraine, with the goal of better understanding the unique challenges faced by families in war zones. First, we want to learn about the difficulties that parents and children in Palestine (GAZA), Russia, and Ukraine face regarding mental health so that we can better support them (Catoire, 2022). Anxiety, sadness, and post-traumatic stress disorder are all areas that will be investigated as they pertain to family members’ mental health as a result of the conflict. The study compares family mental health outcomes across war zones to establish trends and patterns.

The second goal is to conduct a nationwide survey of parents in Ukraine to determine the causes of mental health problems in families residing in combat zones. The survey’s researchers hope to learn more about how conflict affects parental stress and anxiety and how parents deal with these issues (Aribot & Ashford, 2022). The primary purpose of this study is to compare the mental health difficulties faced by families in conflict zones in different Middle Eastern countries, such as Palestine (GAZA), Russia, and Ukraine (Abay et al., 2022). The results of this study can help guide the design of interventions to aid families dealing with the mental health difficulties common in war-torn regions.

Literature Review

Background

Family members’ mental health concerns are paramount in war zones between Ukraine and Russia. Understanding the risk factors and problems experienced by families in these places requires a comparative analysis of psychological well-being among individuals impacted by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The study’s primary goal is to pinpoint the causes of war-torn households’ mental health problems (Abay et al., 2022). It was found that exposure to violence and trauma, displacement, loss of loved ones, and economic uncertainty affect the mental health of families living in conflict zones. Abay et al. (2022) polled parents throughout Ukraine to assess the likelihood of mental health problems in war-affected households. Exposure to violence, relocation, and economic uncertainty were identified as risk factors for mental health problems in families in Ukraine.

The mental health of families in Russia, Ukraine, and Palestine (GAZA) conflict zones are compared to show the parallels and contrasts between these areas. Mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder are experienced by people of all ages and backgrounds because of the widespread prevalence of violence and trauma in all three regions (Rizzi et al., 2022).

However, economic instability and uprooting are also significant contributors to mental health problems for families in Ukraine and Palestine (GAZA). Families in Ukraine and Palestine (GAZA) face substantial barriers to accessing mental health care, which is not readily available in either region. Nonetheless, the healthcare system in Russia may provide families with easier access to mental health therapies (Abay et al., 2022). A GAZA-based comparative analysis of family mental health in conflict zones in Russia, Ukraine, and Palestine reveals factors predisposing to mental health issues and barriers to treatment for families in these countries (Rizzi et al., 2022). With this information in hand, policymakers may create programs and services to aid the psychological well-being of war-torn families.

Current Environment in Conflict Zones

The climate in environmental zones like Ukraine and Russia has caused severe mental health issues for families. Displacement, death, poverty, trauma, exposure to violence, and the destruction of medical facilities are only some of the consequences of the ongoing conflict (Antezza et al., 2022). A rise in emotional disorders, including melancholy, anxiety, and PTSD, can be directly attributed to these stresses. Certain similarities and contrasts in the mental health of families affected by the crisis in Russia and Ukraine and the situation in Palestine (GAZA) are highlighted by comparing the two. Mental health issues are a significant problem for families in all three war zones (Antezza et al., 2022). Furthermore, families may be reluctant to seek assistance for their loved one’s mental health concerns due to the widespread stigma associated with these conditions.

Families’ mental health problems are similar across the three war zones, but essential distinctions exist. Millions of Ukrainians and Russians have been forced to relocate due to the conflict, and many more have suffered economic hardship, personal loss, and traumatic experiences because of the violence they witnessed or experienced (Aribot & Ashford, 2022). Nevertheless, in Palestine (GAZA), many families face the same problems of uprooting, trauma, and economic instability (Aribot & Ashford, 2022). Similar problems exist in Ukraine and Russia; the cultural beliefs and practices surrounding mental health issues vary significantly across the three conflict zones. Figure 1 below shows the geographical map of the areas affected by the Russian-Ukraine conflict.

It takes a multifaceted approach, such as surveying parents across Ukraine and Russia to gain insights into their mental health challenges to identify risk factors related to changes in mental health in conflict zones. To accomplish this, qualitative and quantitative research should be conducted into families’ specific difficulties in conflict zones (Averianova & Voropayeva, 2020). The violence and trauma can severely impact the mental health of families they are exposed to in war zones (Averianova & Voropayeva, 2020). Family separation is another potential danger because it can result in a drop in income, the loss of loved ones, and problems obtaining food and water.

Policies, humanitarian organizations, and the global community must collaborate. The mental health needs of families affected by conflict can only be met by providing accessible mental health care services in war zones (Babin et al., 2021). To that end, it is vital to remove the stigma surrounding mental health difficulties in war zones and augment financial and other resources for mental health care programs. The mental health of families impacted by the conflict in Russia and Ukraine and the situation in Palestine (GAZA) are compared and contrasted. Multifaceted approaches are needed to address families’ mental health challenges in conflict zones.

Overview of Conflict Zones

Families in conflict zones face severe mental health issues due to events like the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the situation in GAZA. Many families will recognize parallels between the two wars despite the significant differences (Babin et al., 2021). Long-term repercussions on mental health have been linked to relocation, homelessness, and exposure to violence and trauma from the conflict in Ukraine and Russia. The breakdown of social support structures brought on by the conflict can also harm mental health.

Families in GAZA have also been displaced, lost their homes, and exposed to violence and trauma because of the ongoing conflict. Mental health can also be affected by the economic hardship and lack of access to necessities many families in GAZA have experienced (Babin et al., 2021). Exposure to violence, displacement, loss of social support systems, economic hardship, and limited access to critical resources, such as healthcare and mental health services, are all risk factors connected to changes in mental health in conflict zones (Brücher, 2022). Similar dynamics may be seen in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the current situation in GAZA.

To overcome these obstacles, mental health services, such as access to psychological assistance and counseling, must be prioritized in conflict zones. Efforts to address the causes of conflict and assist impacted communities with resources and assistance can also lessen the toll on mental health (Brücher, 2022). Despite their differences, the conflicts in Ukraine and Russia and the situation in GAZA both bring to light the vast mental health issues families encounter in conflict zones. Mental health treatments should be prioritized, and root causes of conflict should be addressed if these problems are to be overcome.

Access to healthcare, social support systems, and economic stability are all crucial to mental health in war zones, according to a resource-based perspective. Mental health has been negatively affected in both the Ukraine-Russia conflict and the situation in GAZA because of families’ difficulty accessing these kinds of support (Brücher, 2022). To effectively address mental health issues in conflict zones, it is essential to work toward resolving the underlying causes of violence and to aid the communities most directly impacted (Brücher, 2022). The psychological and medical effects of war on families can be lessened by giving these areas a high priority for care.

Context of the Humanitarian Response to the Family’s Mental Health

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has lasted for years and has had a significant effect on the lives of tens of millions of people. Thus, it is essential to learn about humanitarian responders’ difficulties as they try to help people in need throughout this crisis (Rizzi et al., 2022). These obstacles are the focus of the study question’s context. Recognizing the need for humanitarian aid for the survival of many people displaced by violence is crucial.

Nevertheless, assisting in a zone of conflict is complex because of the complexity and fluidity of a conflict. Lack of security, infrastructure, and access to affected populations frequently impede help distribution (Rizzi et al., 2022). This research question aims to get insight into the obstacles that humanitarian responders have had to overcome to help the victims of the conflict in Ukraine and Russia. By comparing the difficulties experienced by humanitarian responders in Ukraine and Russia, we can learn more about the commonalities and distinctions between the two situations.

The study question also emphasizes the significance of comprehending the multifaceted nature of the conflict and its effect on the daily lives of millions of people. Many lives have been lost, countless people have been uprooted, and living standards everywhere have fallen due to this battle (Piron, 2022). The study aims to find answers to the research question by studying the difficulties encountered by humanitarian responders and determining how these obstacles can be overcome to better assist the impacted populations.

By improving the efficiency of humanitarian aid in war zones, this data can be utilized to guide policy decisions, program implementation, and resource allocation. So, the significance of the study topic cannot be overstated in terms of illuminating the difficulties humanitarian responders face in assisting those impacted by the crisis in Ukraine and Russia (Piron, 2022). Humanitarian rescuers in Ukraine and Russia confront similar obstacles, and learning from their similarities and differences can be enlightening. This study can potentially enhance the distribution of humanitarian supplies to affected populations, lessening the violence’s toll on them.

Since 2014, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has significantly affected the emotional well-being of families on both sides. Millions of people have been uprooted because of the fighting, the deaths of loved ones, and the instability of the economy; mental health problems, including despair, anxiety, and PTSD, have skyrocketed (Piron, 2022). Families in need of mental health care in Ukraine face formidable obstacles due to the scarcity of available resources.

There has been an upsurge in mental health problems due to the continuous conflict in Palestine (GAZA), which has caused the relocation of families and the exposure of individuals to violence and trauma. Access to sufficient mental health care for families is a significant problem in Palestine (GAZA), where the existing system is inadequate (Piron, 2022). Families in war zones do not always get the mental health care they need because of the negative stigma surrounding it. Much social stigma is attached to talking about mental health in Ukraine and Palestine (GAZA), making it hard for families to get the treatment they need (Piron, 2022). Cultural beliefs and behaviors may also influence the stigma attached to mental health problems.

Policymakers, humanitarian groups, and the international community must work together to solve the problems that arise during the humanitarian response in conflict zones. When dealing with the mental health needs of families impacted by conflict, it is essential to have access to competent mental health care services in conflict areas (Khorram-Manesh & Burkle, 2022). This can be done by improving access to mental health care, educating the public about mental illness, and eliminating the stigma surrounding seeking help for mental health concerns in conflict areas.

Finally, the situation in Palestine (GAZA) and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine have contributed to severe difficulties in the mental health of families in conflict zones (Khorram-Manesh & Burkle, 2022). Increasing financing and resources for mental health care services, educating more mental health professionals, and combating the stigma associated with mental health concerns in conflict zones are all necessary steps toward overcoming these obstacles.

Gaps and Problems in the Existing Literature Review

Significant gaps exist in the existing studies comparing people’s mental health affected by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. First, most researchers focus on the psychological impacts of combat, such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety (Behnassi & El Haiba, 2022). Even so, there is a dearth of research into the widespread impacts of the conflict on people’s mental health. Furthermore, most studies have been conducted in clinical settings such as hospitals, which may not represent the realities of people who do not have access to healthcare. Mental health research that considers the influence of cultural and socioeconomic factors is scarce (Catoire, 2022). Third, the lack of comparative study between other war-affected populations and the challenges experienced by those affected by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine obscures our understanding of the complexities of that situation.

In the conflict zone between Ukraine and Russia, there is a severe lack of knowledge about and resources for dealing with issues related to mental health among families. High incidences of mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD among conflict-affected communities have been observed in both nations (Babin et al., 2021). The political conflicts and distrust between the two nations have impeded collaboration on mental health projects, contributing to the knowledge gap (Zaliska et al., 2022). The difficulties families face in the conflict zone are compounded by the scarcity of funding and attention paid to mental health services in both countries.

The literature has largely ignored the longer-term implications of conflict on mental health in favor of examining its immediate repercussions. Consequences on mental health may remain long after a war has ended, and they may be made worse by continuous stresses, including poverty, unemployment, and social disturbance (Rizzi et al., 2022). There are still numerous gaps in our understanding of how the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has affected the mental health of those involved. Developing successful treatments to improve the mental health of individuals and communities impacted by conflict requires addressing these limitations.

There is a growing amount of material on the effects of war on mental health. Still, this literature has many gaps in its comparative examination of the impact of the conflict on people living in Russia and Ukraine (Piron, 2022). An issue with the current literature is that there needs to be a universally accepted method for measuring outcomes related to mental health. The lack of standards makes it difficult to conclude the effects of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine on mental health.

In contrast, in GAZA, the need to address mental health concerns among conflict-affected individuals is becoming more widely acknowledged despite continued conflict and insufficient resources. UNRWA has set up mental health and psychosocial support programs for refugees, and there have been attempts to incorporate mental health services within primary healthcare institutions (Anghel & Jones, 2022).

Families in the combat zone confront significant mental health issues, and resolving the gap in understanding and cooperation on mental health initiatives between Ukraine and Russia is essential. Relocation, social isolation, and experiencing violence or trauma are all associated with poor mental health outcomes. However, existing research frequently ignores or mishandles these contextual elements (Piron, 2022). Inadequate care is occasionally given to the psychological needs of vulnerable populations like children, mothers, and the elderly. The repercussions of violence on children and adolescents, who are particularly vulnerable to these effects, have been largely overlooked in the existing body of research.

Methodology

Objective

To address the aim and objectives of this research project, a mixed-methods research design is used, which will involve both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods. This approach will enable a thorough examination of the difficulties encountered by humanitarian workers in the Ukraine-Russia conflict and the impact of the conflict on affected populations (Antezza et al., 2022). The research methodology will involve a review of relevant literature on humanitarian response in conflict settings, focusing on the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

In addition, primary data was collected through semi-structured interviews with humanitarian responders, key informants, and affected populations in Ukraine. These interviews will be conducted using a purposive sampling technique to ensure that a diverse range of perspectives is represented (Leasure et al., 2022). The data collected through the literature review and interviews will be analyzed using a thematic analysis approach (Morrice, 2022). This involves identifying key themes and patterns in the data, which was used to develop a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by humanitarian responders in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

The method of documentary evidence was chosen due to its ability to provide a detailed and in-depth understanding of the conflict and its impact on affected populations. Interviews with key informants and affected populations will provide additional perspectives on the challenges humanitarian responders face and their experiences of the conflict (Brücher, 2022). The limitations of this research methodology include the potential for bias in the selection of interview participants and the possible limitations of the data obtained through documentary evidence (Kuryliak & Balaklytskyi, 2021). In addition, there may be challenges in accessing some areas affected by the conflict due to security concerns (Jankowski & Gujski, 2022). However, these limitations are addressed using a rigorous sampling approach and ensuring the reliability and validity of the data obtained through the literature review and interviews. Table 1 below shows that most Americans are concerned about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and other countries.

Humanitarian Challenges

Significant humanitarian issues connected to the mental health of families in the battle zone have come from the conflict between Ukraine and Russia and the situation in GAZA. Exposure to violence and trauma, displacement, economic insecurity, social isolation, and a shortage of available mental health services are some obstacles people face today (Kumar et al., 2022). The prolonged humanitarian catastrophe and the never-ending cycle of misery for families in these locations directly result from the ongoing conflict and the failure to find a solution.

International Response

Families in Ukraine, Russia, and the Gaza Strip struggle with mental health issues, and the international reaction has been inconsistent. Help and resources for families’ mental health issues have come from some worldwide organizations (Kumar et al., 2022). Others, due to political restrictions and funding limits, have had trouble getting into conflict zones or providing effective aid once they were there. Families in war zones continue to suffer significant mental health issues, making a concerted, long-term international response imperative.

Economic Challenges

Families in war zones often struggle with mental health concerns worsened by the economic hardships they encounter. Mental health is significantly impacted by the cycle of poverty and hardship caused by relocation, job loss, and inadequate access to food, water, and healthcare (Pandey et al., 2023). Many families struggle to make ends meet due to the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the situation in GAZA.

Conflicts and Political Situations

The long-running conflict between Palestine (GAZA) and Israel has sparked multiple regional wars and humanitarian disasters. Numerous rival organizations in Palestine are complicating the political situation (Leasure et al., 2022). On the other hand, Ukraine and Russia have a long history of political tensions that have only worsened since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 (Kumar et al., 2022). The war between the two countries has caused a frozen conflict with intermittent outbreaks of violence in eastern Ukraine.

Approach Towards Conflict Zones

It is crucial to thoroughly comprehend the difficulties families encounter in conflict zones when considering how to handle their mental health. One strategy is to boost funding for mental health services in humanitarian aid programs aimed at war zones (Kumar et al., 2022). Counseling and psychotherapy are examples of mental health interventions that can help reduce the harmful effects of conflict on the mental health of families.

For mental health aid to be effective over the long term, it must also get to the conflict’s origins. This strategy aims to promote peace and reconciliation initiatives to prevent conflict and its detrimental effects on mental health (Shevlin et al., 2022). Mental health problems in war zones are often exacerbated by socioeconomic factors such as poverty, unemployment, and a lack of access to essential treatments.

Because of the continuous conflict and siege, addressing the mental health needs of families in GAZA requires a concerted and sustained effort. This may involve facilitating access to healthcare and education and offering psychosocial support programs to deal with the effects of the conflict’s trauma (Hook & Marcantonio, 2022). Engaging community groups has improved long-term mental health outcomes by strengthening social cohesion and reducing isolation. When considering the mental health of families in conflict zones, it is essential to prioritize mental health support, look for the reasons for the conflict, involve local communities, and enhance social determinants of health (Hoppen et al., 2021). The mental health of families in Ukraine, Russia, and GAZA can be protected against the effects of the conflict by taking these precautions.

Collection and Analysis

We analyzed data from a study called The Mental Health of Parents and Children in Ukraine. This study aimed to learn how the conflict in that country has affected Ukrainian parents’ and children’s mental health and daily lives. To participate, respondents had to be at least 18 years old, Ukrainian residents, parents of at least one kid under 18, and able to complete the survey in Ukrainian (Hoppen et al., 2021). From July 15 to September 5, 2022, data were gathered using an online survey administered by TGM Research, a survey firm chosen for having nationally representative survey panels in 130 countries, one of which is Ukraine.

A power analysis was done beforehand to determine how many people to ask for data from. The sample size was determined by assuming a prevalence of 24% for PTSD (calculated using data from other studies of war-exposed populations; (Hoppen et al., 2021), testing at a 95% confidence level, and allowing for a 2% margin of error. They targeted a sample size of 2,000 people because 1,752 was the minimum required for meaningful results (Hoppen et al., 2021). While opportunistic sampling was used to get participants, efforts were made to enlist male and female volunteers of varying ages from all parts of Ukraine.

Reliability and Validity of Data

Changes in levels of stress, sadness, isolation, and risky drinking were summarized using descriptive statistics. Mean change scores were utilized in all analyses to compare shifts across the four mental health indicators (Leustean, 2021). Consequently, in all situations, scores can be anywhere from 0 to 4, with each integer corresponding to the Likert scale option on the specific questions (Hoppen et al., 2021). A higher incidence of anxiety, depression, social isolation, and risky alcohol use is also documented.

The next step was to evaluate a multivariate multiple regression model. Four variables indicating mean changes in symptoms of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and hazardous alcohol consumption were simultaneously regressed. Sex (0 for females, 1 for males), age, number of children, whether or not a child has received care for emotional or behavioral issues (0, 1, respectively), marital status dummies coded variables representing single (Hoppen et al., 2021). In a relationship but not living with a partner, divorced or separated, and widowed – reference category is married or living with a partner), and educational level (Patel et al., 2020). Vo Mplus 8.2 was used to verify this model’s robust maximum likelihood estimation, resulting in corrected standard errors in non-normality.

Ethical lessons

The Value of Human Life

Conflict zones are rich with valuable ethical lessons that can be gleaned and used in various contexts. War zones are a stark reminder of the importance of upholding human rights and preventing atrocities. (Fischhendler et al., 2021). Torture and other forms of abuse against civilians are reprehensible and should never be tolerated. An awareness of human dignity is necessary when contemplating the prospect of research having positive effects beyond the research’s immediate objectives (Fontanarosa et al., 2022).

The first step is to develop a humble attitude (Shevlin et al., 2022). The researchers’ ability to ensure that war does not lead to altering the larger conflict environment is relatively small. Nevertheless, the study might have several beneficial knock-on impacts that the researcher could build on and amplify.

Results

Aim Strategic Framework

The findings of this strategic framework are meant to help families dealing with dangerous situations by revealing any issues they may have with their mental health. The results show that the most significant issues were shifts in anxiety and depressive symptoms (Sasse, 2020). Living in the western, south, or central regions of Ukraine, being female, and having a child treated for emotional or behavioral disorders were also risk factors (Sojka et al., 2022). These findings are essential to the project’s purpose of comparing mental health outcomes across countries because they illuminate families’ particular challenges in Palestine (GAZA), Russia, and Ukraine.

Anxiety symptom change at a rate of 20.5% was considered one of the biggest concerns for the findings. Depression symptoms change at a rate of 17.3%, loneliness symptom changes at 10.2%, and alcohol use symptoms change at 4.7% (Sasse, 2020). Being female, having a child who has undergone treatment for emotional or behavioral disorders, residing in the west, south, or center of Ukraine (Sasse, 2020). There was also a correlation between retirement and decreased fluctuation in depressive symptoms (when compared to full-time employment), as shown in Table 2 below.

Being female, younger, having fewer children, having a child who has received treatment for emotional or behavioral problems, being single, divorced, or separated. In a relationship but not living with a partner compared to being married or living with a partner (Shevlin et al., 2022). Being unemployed due to the war, residing in the west of Ukraine, and experiencing higher levels of war-related stressors were all significantly associated with increased loneliness (Shevlin et al., 2022).

Lastly, being male, being younger, and having a child treated for an emotional or behavioral problem (Sasse, 2020). They were exposed to more war-related stressors that were all substantially correlated with increased symptoms of hazardous alcohol use. Bar graph one below shows the effects of the Russian-Ukraine crisis and capital economics.

Furthermore, the vertical coherence for both crises is a significant element in explaining the quantity of humanitarian help. Reasons for the donation include support for Ukraine and the interests of countries like Poland, Lithuania, and Germany, as well as the political relevance of Palestine to the HAC and the MS (Spiegel et al., 2023). Priorities of each Administration were also stated; research into this potential explanation is warranted (Spiegel et al., 2023). Thus, the second hypothesis holds that the need-based approach of DG ECHO and experts is weakened by vertical coherence.

Not only was that but geographical proximity, the third independent variable, was only verified in the Ukrainian case. No data that applied to Palestine was found. There is no significant migrant influx, and the EU views this extended issue as stable (Spiegel et al., 2023). Ukraine’s proximity to the European Union’s borders, especially those of the Central European States, showed an effect in the form of involvement and prioritization from some nations (Spiegel et al., 2023). However, the international community still saw the situation as precarious because no migration occurred, so such a theory is proven in Ukraine.

Thematic Results

Thematic results show that need-based humanitarian help to conflict zones is crucial, as shown in the Ukraine crisis and Gaza Strip. This emphasizes the importance of mental health issues in humanitarian relief in conflict zones, which is the project’s purpose (O’Reilly, 2019). Comparing mental health in families affected by the Russia-Ukraine and Gaza conflict can help prioritize the needs of those most affected by the ongoing conflict. In terms of the extent to which the crisis necessitates a proportional response based on a need-based approach, such a concept is unquestionably validated in the Ukrainian crisis.

The Palestinian territory of the Gaza Strip has significant humanitarian needs, and DG ECHO is raising funds to address these (Pandey et al., 2023). However, politics play a role, and the European Union and the United Kingdom have asked the European Commission’s Emergency Aid Coordination Directorate General (DG ECHO) to allocate annual funds for Area C in the West Bank in order to put into effect their proposed Hybrid solution (O’Reilly, 2019). However, the idea is mainly correct; DG ECHO is concerned with protecting human dignity and relieving suffering. Graph 2 below shows how global growth weakened, and inflation worsened after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Discussion

Attraction

The relevance of investigating the effects of war on the minds of those living in conflict zones has been emphasized. The study conducted in Ukraine revealed an increase in anxiety, despair, loneliness, and excessive alcohol usage after Russia’s full-scale invasion (O’Reilly, 2019). These findings align with what is found in the broader literature on the psychological toll of war on civilian populations (Hyland et al., 2022). War has a devastating effect on people’s minds, and this article highlights the importance of comparing mental health outcomes in diverse combat zones, including Ukraine, Russia, and Palestine (GAZA) (Ociepa-Kicińska & Gorzałczyńska-Koczkodaj, 2022). Doing so will pave the way for creating specialized therapies to meet the specific mental health requirements of people living in areas of violence.

While the anxiety, despair, and loneliness increase after February 2022 were statistically significant, they only translated to “a little” or “slightly” more frequent symptoms. While it is understandable to be alarmed by escalating mental anguish, these trends may not warrant immediate attention (Fontanarosa et al., 2022). Hence, it is essential to keep an eye on the mental health of the Ukrainian population to see if the changes being noticed are just a natural psychological response to a sudden and drastic shift in circumstances. Humanitarian clusters like health, protection, and education should incorporate cumulative stress screening and adequate referral pathways into their practices to ensure timely access to mental health and psychosocial support services.

It is possible that parents in the current group were more susceptible to losses in mental health because of the stress they experienced caring for a kid with emotional and behavioral difficulties. The conflict may have profoundly affected children with mental or behavioral issues, which may have increased their parents’ distress (Srivastava et al., 2022). Internalizing and externalizing psychopathology have been shown to have mutually reinforcing consequences.

Mental health and psychosocial support programming must be implemented throughout the humanitarian response process (Lepskiy & Lepska, 2023). Exposure to war and conflict is linked to long-term adverse mental health outcomes for parents and children (Piron, 2022). Caregivers can help mitigate this association by receiving caregiver support interventions that aim to reduce stress and improve psychosocial well-being among parents by increasing knowledge and skills related to positive parenting.

When comparing the sexes, women reported higher rates of anxiety, depression, and loneliness, whereas men reported higher rates of hazardous drinking. Among civilians in war-affected settings, the female sex has been identified as a risk factor for worsening mental health (Hook & Marcantonio, 2022). Possible causes include that women are more likely to be the subjects of studies examining ‘internalizing’ forms of psychopathology like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress (Piron, 2022). Therefore, mental health solutions must incorporate gender considerations into their psychosocial programming so that interventions are based on the specific, prevalent symptoms in each sex.

The research also revealed several other characteristics that may contribute to declining mental health. Retirees saw less of a shift in depressive symptoms than those still working, while younger people reported more feelings of isolation and risky drinking (Morrice, 2022). Younger persons in Ukraine have seen the most significant changes in mental health, even though increasing age is a risk factor for poor mental health in war settings (Lepskiy & Lepska, 2023). These results emphasize the significance of tight human ties during times of stress for one’s mental health.

Finally, we discovered that the evolution of anxiety, despair, and loneliness varied considerably between regions (Torbay, 2022). More shifts in these pessimistic feelings were reported by residents of the west, south, and center of Ukraine than those in the north (Torbay, 2022). It is unclear why this is, given that the capital city of Kyiv and other major cities in northern Ukraine came under heavy and sustained shelling during the invasion’s initial stages.

It is essential to remember a few caveats, though two caveats:

• we used modified versions of existing measures of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and hazardous. Alcohol use to assess shifts in mental health, and
• our sample is not typical of the overall adult population of Ukraine. Thus, these results have limited generalizability (Martsenkovskyi et al., 2022).

The likelihood of capturing psychometrically sound measures of change in mental health symptoms was increased by using instruments that have been shown to consistently produce valid and reliable ratings (Lepskiy & Lepska, 2023). Finally, we only evaluated progress in a limited set of mental health issues (Martsenkovskyi et al., 2022). The results provide insight into how parents’ mental health has evolved in Ukraine over the past few months.

Despite these caveats, this study contributes significantly to our understanding of the psychological impact of the Russian invasion on the Ukrainian populace since February 2022. In light of our findings, it seems likely that most Ukrainian adults have experienced some degree of mental health deterioration due to Russia’s war against their country (Minora et al., 2022). However, continued monitoring is necessary to determine whether and how these symptoms will change as the crisis in Ukraine continues (Minora et al., 2022). To ensure that psychosocial support services are effectively directed to those in need, humanitarian responses may want to modify their programming to target those exposed to more war-related stressors.

Emergency Relief

The ICRC is working with the Ukrainian Red Cross and other Red Cross partners to deliver urgent aid to persons in war zones and those displaced by the violence. More than 300,000 people displaced within their own country will receive food, hygiene products, kitchen sets, household equipment, mattresses, blankets, and other necessities (Behnassi & El Haiba, 2022). Over 200 thousand people were given money to help them through tough times (Brücher, 2022). Along with the Red Cross Society of the Republic of Moldova, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) sent food packages and hygiene kits to 5,000 households in Moldova.

Health

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) partners with the Ukrainian Red Cross and other affiliated Red Cross organizations. This ensures that persons in need, such as the injured and ill, get prompt access to medical care (Behnassi & El Haiba, 2022). There is assistance in caring for the “invisible wounds” of international armed conflict by providing a psychosocial support hotline, psychosocial support sessions in relocation centers, and psychosocial support pieces of training.

Primary Resources

The International Committee of the Red Cross increased its efforts to prevent or lessen the impact of disruptions to life-sustaining supplies like water. This involves bringing water by truck to places with interrupted service, providing local service providers with water trucks and tanks, and assisting local water boards with water treatment chemicals and repairs (Karakiewicz-Krawczyk et al., 2022). The efforts of humanitarian aid are helping millions of people who have been harmed by the fighting (Fischhendler et al., 2021). In addition to supplying families in areas of armed conflict with materials to restore their homes, the ICRC has delivered power generators to essential institutions like health centers, water-pumping stations, and displacement centers, as shown in Figure 2 below.

International Humanitarian Law and Civilian Protection

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has continued to educate the parties about the international armed conflict in Ukraine and their legal responsibilities under international humanitarian law. This, indeed, is one of the ICRC’s less publicized missions, but it still needs to be made more critical (Bin-Nashwan et al., 2022). This means we have direct, confidential conversations with the parties on their legal obligations to safeguard civilians, the infrastructure they rely on, and other vulnerable populations, such as prisoners of war.

Thousands of civilians were helped to leave Mariupol and Sumy thanks to our bilateral, confidential contacts with the factions of the international military conflict in Ukraine. It has also enabled us to bring news from home to the families of some prisoners of war, as is our right under the Third Geneva Convention (Karakiewicz-Krawczyk et al., 2022). While more people wait for word of loved ones, we have continued discussions with the parties about our right to visit all prisoners of war concerning the international armed conflict in Ukraine.

Reconnecting with Relatives

In response to Ukraine’s humanitarian crisis, the ICRC established a branch of the Central Tracing Agency in 2022. Military and civilian captives whose freedom has been taken by the enemy are tracked, and their whereabouts are communicated by the CTA Bureau (Bin-Nashwan et al., 2022). Along with the International Committee of the Red Cross and national Red Cross and Red Crescent organizations, the CTA Bureau also works to reunite families that have separated because of the violence, as shown in Figure 3 below.

Humane Ideals Land a Needs-Based Approach

Over the years, several pieces of EU legislation and policy have reflected humanitarian themes. To elaborate further on a distinctive humanitarian assistance strategy for the European Community, the preamble to the 1996 Council Regulation on Humanitarian Help offers the basic legal structure (Cockbain & Sidebottom, 2022). It emphasized that humanitarian aid’s primary goal is to prevent or alleviate human suffering, regardless of politics. DG ECHO bases its allocation of funds on evidence and analysis to uphold these humanitarian standards and provide humanitarian help only in response to the community’s needs (Cockbain & Sidebottom, 2022). Funding is evaluated annually by DG ECHO based on the following criteria.

The Inform Severity Index, the Index for Risk Management (INFORM), and the Forgotten Crisis Assessment (FCA) are just a few of the well-known indices that are put to use. Second, DG ECHO conducts assessments using data from its numerous field offices, which humanitarian specialists use. This investigation will highlight four fundamental aims of humanitarian actors to examine if aid is distributed relatively: the protection of life, health, subsistence, and physical security (Colombo, 2022). They support Hypothesis 4, which proposes that people are motivated to help others and maintain human dignity.

Horizontal Coherence

The discussion’s horizontal coherence notion aligns with the project’s goal of comparing mental health outcomes in conflict-affected regions. The importance of needs-based humanitarian aid and efforts to increase consistency across different international initiatives are discussed (Cullen Dunn & Kaliszewska, 2023). It recognizes that institutional constraints, legal limits, political blockages, and practical incompatibilities hinder the EU’s ability to build good synergy with other external programs.

The horizontal coherence method is essential to ensure that humanitarian relief is distributed in an open, accountable, and efficient. It encourages cooperation and synergy among the various groups and individuals contributing to humanitarian efforts (Cullen Dunn & Kaliszewska, 2023). The EU has pushed for more uniformity in diplomatic efforts in this area, but the four humanitarian principles give a foundation for the work.

The horizontal coherence method highlights the significance of providing humanitarian aid based on needs and working collaboratively to improve mental health outcomes in conflict-affected populations, which is the initiative’s stated goal. Aligning humanitarian policy with political objectives and ensuring the guiding principles of EU humanitarian aid are respected are both vitally important (Devi, 2022).

Finally, horizontal coherence sheds light on how the EU might negotiate the tangled political landscape to provide efficient humanitarian aid to people in need amid armed conflicts (Welt, 2019). The method is pertinent to the project’s objectives since it stresses the importance of a coordinated, needs-based approach to humanitarian aid and collaborative efforts to improve people’s mental health in areas devastated by violence. Graph 3 below shows the development progress of humanitarian aid toward conflict zones.

Depending on the nature of the crisis, EU foreign policy may employ humanitarian aid initiatives to achieve broader political goals. Such rules are crucial for humanitarian actors to follow while entering a country experiencing an artificial crisis to gain access to the populace without being viewed as a threat (Devi, 2022). For example, the European External Action Service (EEAS) could employ humanitarian aid policy to gain ground and achieve its goals (Welt, 2019). By “politicization of humanitarian aid,” I do not mean that something previously apolitical has become so (Fischer, 2019). There are times when political considerations precede humanitarian ideals, which could hurt those who genuinely need our help.

The Council Working Group on Humanitarian Assistance and Food Aid was established in the post-Lisbon framework to facilitate collaboration between DG ECHO and the MS. Consequently, the Commission’s and the MS’s humanitarian aid efforts are more efficient and effective (Gorodnichenko et al., 2022). This forum is where ideas are discussed, humanitarian efforts are coordinated, and the EU’s stance is determined. The EU and the MS share overlapping responsibilities in humanitarian help, with the Commission coordinating humanitarian aid policy through DG ECHO.

The Humanitarian Assistance Committee operates under the MS’s watchful eye via the comitology system and directs the work of DG ECHO (HAC) (Genschel, 2022). To further emphasize its independence, the HAC has always accepted a proposal from DG ECHO. The annual budget for DG ECHO is entirely up to their discretion (Fischer, 2019). Once DG ECHO has authorized this budget, it will be given to the HAC for review.

The MS and DG ECHO now have a stronger foundation for vertical coherence thanks to this third tool for budget monitoring. Significant threats exist to the vertical coherence of the EU’s decision-making process in humanitarian aid policy (Genschel, 2022). Although the Commission and DG ECHO are well-versed in the topic, they prefer to act as facilitators and coordinators rather than exert undue influence over the conflicted areas (Grossi & Vakulenko, 2022). It is also crucial to note that there are specific gaps between rhetoric and actual practice, even if the European Consensus on Humanitarian Assistance has been widely adopted.

Geographical Proximity

A crisis’s effect on international stability and the EU’s borders can be direct and immediate. If a problem is predicted to worsen, it will be evaluated regarding the number of present and potential victims (Guchua et al., 2022). This would pose a risk to countries that are not directly involved. The potential spread of the crisis would influence the nature and extent of the humanitarian response needed to contain it and outline how a problem could affect other regions and how it might change the EU’s involvement approach.

A crisis’s character and the conditions and significance of an intervention may shift depending on how far it spreads. Crisis events that unfold far away or in another country may be difficult for actors to track (Guenette et al., 2022). It is becoming increasingly apparent that individual efforts to cope and unilateral responses to these crises may be insufficient in the face of compounding problems and subtle knock-on effects (Rosa et al., 2022). Preference is perceived to be formed because of the widespread and confronting of the MS and their interests (Welt, 2019). The need to respond swiftly and effectively, DG ECHO will benefit from such delegation because it is a specialized organization with recognized experience.

Operationalization

The outlined operationalization uses in-depth interviews with various actors functioning within the EU’s humanitarian sector to collect data using a qualitative methodology. Eight semi-structured interviews were conducted for this study, and the data from those interviews was used to test many hypotheses about the effects of environmental factors on mental health in various settings (Chaban & Elgström, 2021). The humanitarian sector’s discourses and proclamations were scrutinized to learn more.

Table 3: A comparison of Russian and Ukrainian case studies (Chaban & Elgström, 2021)

“+” means the hypothesis was supported; “-” means the opposite; “+-” means support was just partial; “0” means there was no discernible effect.

Humanitarian Aid Policy

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has severely impacted the mental health of the affected population. Around 3,000 people have been killed, and over 7,000 have been injured due to the violence (Ben Hassen & El Bilali, 2022). The United Nations estimates that over 3.4 million people need humanitarian aid and security to live decent lives. Those over 60 have suffered the most from the conflict’s resulting disability, immobility, neglect, starvation, and economic instability. Only 1.9 million people on both sides of the “contact line” have received prioritized aid due to a lack of global financing for humanitarian initiatives (United Nations, 2022). In-depth interviews with various actors working within the EU’s humanitarian sector could be used as part of a qualitative approach to learning more about the effects of the conflict on mental health.

The study’s focus would be on the discourses and proclamations of the humanitarian sector, and it would evaluate data from eight semi-structured interviews to do so. Nevertheless, humanitarian organizations are finding it difficult to respond to the crisis in eastern Ukraine due to the region’s division between territories controlled by the Ukrainian government and those not regulated by the government (Hook & Marcantonio, 2022). The self-proclaimed oblasts of Donetsk and Luhansk have banned humanitarian aid from the European Union and other countries.

Mental health outcomes in different regions, such as Palestine (GAZA), Russia, and Ukraine, would be best compared using a comparative approach that accounts for each study site’s specific difficulties and dynamics. Displacement, as seen in the aftermath of the violence in Ukraine and elsewhere, can severely affect people’s emotional well-being (Rexhaj et al., 2023). On the other hand, the Palestinian territory of the Gaza Strip (GAZA) has been experiencing a protracted battle that has caused widespread suffering among its citizens. Comprehensive research methods, including data gathering from trustworthy sources like government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and academic research projects, are required to successfully compare mental health outcomes across different places (Rubio, 2022). To conduct this kind of study, we must be fluent in the local settings and issues and statistical and analytical techniques for comparing and contrasting data.

Crisis Severity

The crisis in Ukraine has caused significant human suffering, with around 3.5 million people needing humanitarian aid in 2021. The severity of the situation has led to the EU allocating resources for humanitarian assistance in the region (Hoppen et al., 2021). DG ECHO, a critical factor in the crisis, has been conscious of the plight of those in need and has provided significant funding to treat victims of conflict, improve healthcare delivery, and repair damaged accommodation, water distribution, and sanitation systems (Hoppen et al., 2021). However, despite persistent diplomatic efforts, there have been no signs of a resolution.

The crisis in Ukraine is one of the locations of interest in the project objective, which aims to compare the mental health results of diverse locations, including Palestine (GAZA), Russia, and Ukraine. The crisis in Ukraine has caused significant psychological trauma, with many people experiencing fear, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Torbay, 2022). The mental health effects of the crisis in Ukraine have been compounded by the lack of access to necessities such as food, water, and healthcare, as well as the destruction of homes and infrastructure.

The crisis in Palestine (GAZA) has also caused significant human suffering, with many people experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The situation in Palestine has gotten worse due to the prolonged violence and the lack of access to basic services like food, water, and medical care (Jain et al., 2022). The mental health effects of the crisis in Palestine have been compounded by the destruction of homes and infrastructure, the displacement of families, and the ongoing violence (Jain et al., 2022). While the situation in Russia has not received as much international attention as the crises in Ukraine and Palestine, it has nonetheless caused significant human suffering.

The mental health effects of the problem in Russia have been compounded by factors such as poverty, discrimination, and social exclusion. Comparing the mental health outcomes of various places, such as Russia, Ukraine, and Palestine (GAZA), is the project’s goal (Catoire, 2022). By examining the mental health effects of these crises, the project aims to identify common factors contributing to mental health issues in concerns and develop strategies for addressing these issues (Catoire, 2022). The project’s findings could have significant implications for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and aid organizations working to address the mental health needs of people affected by crises.

Infrastructure

To a large extent, DG ECHO’s allocation of funds was based on the infrastructure of the state of Ukraine. Ukraine’s proximity to the area and its strategic and political importance to the EU bolstered its financing case (Jankowski & Gujski, 2022). The potential impact on the EU was considered alongside the severity of the crisis in order to arrive at this ranking. Nonetheless, the Palestinian territories received less aid from the EU because the environment was not considered strategically important (Javanbakht, 2022).

These considerations emphasize the significance of knowing the larger political and strategic framework that affects mental health resource allocation in the mental health project (Piron, 2022). It is possible to learn how geopolitical variables affect mental health outcomes across areas by comparing the results from other locations, such as Palestine, Russia, and Ukraine. The conflicts in those areas have led to a rapid increase in the destruction of structures such as buildings, as shown in Figure 5 below.

Consistency Across the Board

The level of help provided to Ukraine throughout the crisis was heavily influenced by the degree of horizontal cohesion among donors. One important component was the implementation of a JHDF to coordinate humanitarian and development efforts (Javanbakht, 2022). Independent research indicates that the partnership’s success has grown over time, and DG ECHO has focused its aid policy on the most pressing issues brought on by the crisis. Inaccessible to NGCA and EU development agents, conflict zones like Donetsk made progress difficult.

DG ECHO gained entry to these spaces thanks to its status as a neutral party, but NGCA was still challenging. H speculates that the strained relations with Russia may be behind the increased aid to Ukraine (Catoire, 2022). It also suggests that political concerns played a role in shaping EU foreign policy towards Russia, as did the humanitarian assistance the EU offered to the country.

With its proximity to Europe, the Ukrainian crisis was widely viewed as having strategic and political significance for the European Union—this significantly prioritized financial support for Ukraine over Palestine (Johnstone et al., 2022). Despite DG ECHO’s best efforts, priority was given to Ukraine because of the country’s importance to the European Union. The mental health outcomes in various regions, such as Palestine (GAZA), Russia, and Ukraine, can be compared to shed light on the unique challenges citizens face in each country during the current crisis (Kuryliak & Balaklytskyi, 2021). Moreover, it may provide insight into how well humanitarian aid and development frameworks deal with mental health issues in war zones.

Alignment in the Vertical Dimension

Many considerations, including horizontal and vertical coherence and political and strategic relevance, contributed to prioritizing funding for Ukraine over Palestine. The relationship flourished and became more effective over time, thanks partly to the Joint Humanitarian-Development Framework (JHDF) implemented during the Ukrainian crisis (Fischhendler et al., 2021). As a result of this achievement, DG ECHO has focused its aid approach on meeting the most basic requirements of the situation (Johnstone et al., 2022). Conflict zones are challenging to work in, but DG ECHO gained access because of its reputation as a neutral party.

As important as horizontal coherence is in deciding where aid is sent, so is vertical coherence, or how close a country is to a catastrophe. The German president gave the Ukrainian crisis its full attention, yet the German presidency did not directly cause the crisis-era budget rise (United Nations, 2022). The study examines the differences in mental health outcomes between geographically distinct regions such as Palestine (GAZA), Russia, and Ukraine (Rosa et al., 2022). This research aims to illuminate the potential grave effects of protracted crises like those in Palestine, Russia, and Ukraine on mental health (Rexhaj et al., 2023). The goal of this study is not to analyze why more money was sent to Ukraine instead of Palestine during a crisis; instead, it is to analyze the effects of disasters on people’s mental health in various parts of the world.

Effects of the Conflict on Ukrainian Parents’ Mental Health

Europe’s greatest war since World War II broke out after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022. This followed Russia’s takeover of Crimea in 2014 and eight years of occupation in the east of Ukraine (Shalal, 2022). The war has taken an enormous toll, not only on the economy but also on human life (Rubio, 2022). Damage to Ukraine’s infrastructure each week is estimated at $4.5 billion, and the unemployment rate has grown to 35%. (Shalal, 2022). The Ukrainian government and the United Nations calculated that 5,900 civilians had been murdered and another 8,600 had been injured.

Among those counted are people who have been confirmed as victims of war crimes. Over a third of the Ukrainian population has been uprooted because of the conflict, with 7.4 million fleeing to other countries and more than 2 million being deported to Russia (Javanbakht, 2022). Over half (52%) of the remaining population in Ukraine has been displaced internally, and an estimated 13 million are stranded or unable to leave impacted areas due to security hazards and the loss of essential infrastructure (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 2022). The mental health community has warned of impending increases in mental health disorders amid this widespread destruction.

There is abundant evidence that combat has detrimental effects on mental health. War-affected communities are more likely to experience psychological distress (Shevlin et al., 2022). This is measured by the prevalence of conditions like severe depression, generalized anxiety, and post-traumatic stress, as well as symptoms like isolation, rage, physical illness, and suicidal ideation (Jain et al., 2022). There is a correlation between parenting during the war and increased stress levels (Eltanamly et al., 2021). Parental mental health and wellness can be significantly impacted by changes in family structures and roles, as well as by financial stress, unemployment, substandard housing, and a lack of access to essential resources.

Those exposed to the stresses and traumas of war may be unable to cope with their challenges. Anxiety and depression have reportedly increased as a result of Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to preliminary data (Martsenkovskyi et al., 2022). Exhaustion (87%), despair (84%), anxiousness (84%), anger (77%), and loneliness (52%), as well as increased usage of alcohol (19%), tobacco (18%), sedatives (18%), and pain medicines (10%), were reported by a high percentage of the 589 Ukrainian university students and staff surveyed in May 2022.

To understand the scope and development of the long-term mental health repercussions of Russia’s assault on Ukraine, it is crucial to continue assessing how the war affects the mental health of the Ukrainian population (Hoppen et al., 2021). In addition, knowing which members of the people are at the highest risk for mental health issues is crucial for providing appropriate mental health and psychosocial solutions (Kurapov et al., 2022). In light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the primary objective of this study was to assess the extent to which parents’ mental health had deteriorated in the aftermath of the invasion.

Family Separation

Seventy-eight percent of people surveyed by the UNHCR reported being separated from their immediate family members due to the conflict’s escalation. According to Amnesty International, children living in Russian-controlled orphanages and institutions in the oblasts of Donetsk and Luhansk before the war have been relocated to Russia (Jain et al., 2022). Those who are unable to leave their homes, such as the elderly and the disabled, are often separated from their loved ones during times of war (Ruškus, 2022). Help-Age reports that 32 percent of seniors live alone, 80 percent being women.

Displacement

As a direct result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the country has experienced the largest-scale forced migration of its inhabitants since World War II. Since February 24, 2022, a third of the country’s population has been displaced due to the conflict, with about eight million refugees dispersed across Europe and around six million IDPs internally displaced within Ukraine (Zaliska et al., 2022). Most of those who have fled their homes, inside or outside the nation, are women and children, raising severe protection concerns (Catoire, 2022). As a result of constant wars, most citizens are displaced from their locality.

Humanitarian Access

Due to mine pollution and other physical obstacles, humanitarian access is hampered, especially in conflict-affected areas. In order to locate the place to go, one must take a more circuitous path than usual because the war has wreaked havoc on civilian infrastructure, damaging many bridges and highways (Catoire, 2022). Authorities in Ukraine estimate that 30% of the country’s landmass is mined, with the Kharkiv region, along with the oblasts of Kherson, Chernihiv, and Sumy, bearing the brunt of the contamination (Goto et al., 2023). In 62% of the communities REACH evaluated, landmines/unexploded ordnance (UXOs) was cited as a safety issue (Kaufman et al., 2022). By mid-November, more than 4,000 explosive objects had been found during inspections of 400 hectares of reclaimed land in Kherson.

Recommendation

It is feasible to make recommendations for mental health based on the results in several areas, including Russia, Ukraine, and Palestine (GAZA). This study’s findings suggest several suggestions for improving humanitarian response during the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which are:

1. The availability of mental health care in war zones is an absolute priority. Individuals, families, and communities impacted by war should have access to psychological and psychiatric support, and the government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) should collaborate to make this possible (Catoire, 2022). These services must be inexpensive, readily available, and respectful of cultural norms. Incorporating mental health care into basic healthcare systems is vital to reach people who might not otherwise seek specialized mental health services.
2. Research shows that community-based mental health services can help meet the mental health needs of people and families impacted by violence. Schools, community centers, and even places of worship are possible venues for delivering such programs (Kaufman et al., 2022). The people involved need to help those directly impacted by the violence by strengthening the community’s resilience. More effort must be put into increasing accountability and transparency in the distribution of humanitarian help to guarantee that it reaches those who need it.
3. Social and economic variables like poverty, unemployment, and social isolation have been related to mental health problems in conflict-affected communities. The social and economic elements that contribute to mental health issues must be prioritized if these problems are to be overcome (Catoire, 2022). Programs that combat poverty, expand people’s access to economic opportunities, and strengthen families can help achieve this goal.
4. In conflict-affected communities, seeking help for mental health issues is typically met with stigma. Awareness campaigns and efforts to end discrimination against those seeking help for mental health issues should be prioritized to respond to this problem (Kaufman et al., 2022). This can be accomplished through public awareness campaigns and educational initiatives to reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues.
5. Help delivery can be made more efficient by enhancing communication and coordination amongst humanitarian groups. Putting civilians’ safety first and ensuring they have access to the necessities they need, especially the most at-risk populations like children and women, is a top priority (Catoire, 2022). Become more involved with neighborhood groups to learn about their concerns and earn their trust. Resolving the issue by peaceful means, such as negotiation or mediation, and focusing on the underlying political and socioeconomic factors fueling it.

Adopting these suggestions is hoped to improve the humanitarian response to the war between Ukraine and Russia. In particular, the conflict between Ukraine and Russia has resulted in much human suffering and displacement in eastern Ukraine (Catoire, 2022). The conflict between Ukraine and Russia ultimately underscores the need for continuing attention and effort to address the humanitarian response problems and support affected populations in reconstructing their lives. Overall, it is vital to acknowledge the complexity and diverse nature of mental health issues in war zones.

Conclusion

Finally, comparing the mental health outcomes of different regions, such as Palestine (GAZA), Russia, and Ukraine, might shed light on the specific difficulties experienced by families in conflict zones. Children and their parents, in particular, have been severely affected by the continuous hostilities in these regions, experiencing high levels of trauma, anxiety, and despair. To effectively provide mental health services to the people in these areas, we must first understand the psychological effects of violence on families there.

By comparing and contrasting, we can see what aspects of families’ mental health are similar and distinct throughout these conflict zones. In this way, we may better understand the needs of people and communities impacted by conflict and design solutions accordingly. The data can also help guide humanitarian relief and policy decisions that benefit these communities. It is essential to recognize the difficulties inherent in helping those whose mental health has been negatively impacted by war. It is possible to help families in conflict zones recover from their trauma and move on with their lives if we take the time to learn about the specific obstacles they confront.

The Ukraine and Russia conflict has complicated the impacted areas’ humanitarian response. Mental health issues have arisen due to circumstances that have caused mass displacement, the devastation of infrastructure, and the loss of life. The mental health of persons affected by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is being studied increasingly. However, gaps and limitations in the current literature review are still linked with the comparative study of mental health.

Appendices

Interviewees Snowballing Technique Process

Interviewees

1. Affected residents and citizens
2. Those who work in humanitarian relief and those who give their services
3. Military people and soldiers
4. Officials and representatives of the government
5. Reporters and journalists reporting the war
6. Professional historians and conflict analysts
7. Conflict resolution specialists
8. People from various NGOs
9. Political figures and activists in the community
10. Leaders in the religious and spiritual communities.

Techniques

Safety Technique

The safety of all individuals involved, including the interviewer and the person being interviewed, must be of the utmost concern. It is vital to assess the danger of conducting interviews and take the necessary precautions, such as booking a secure interview space and ensuring respondents that their comments will be kept confidential.

Access Technique

Access to interviewees may be restricted in conflict zones, and locating and contacting those interested in participating in the study may be challenging. The snowballing technique, in which participants refer the interviewer to other potential interviewees, can be helpful in such circumstances because it can help expand the pool of potential interviewees. In this technique, participants refer the interviewer to others interested in being interviewed.

Method for Overcoming Communication and Cultural Gaps

Interviews in war zones can be difficult due to language and cultural limitations. When an interview was conducted, the interviewers had crucial translators and interpreters fluent in the target language and cultural norms and could express the meaning of the respondent’s answers. Method of Sensitivity and empathy was also used because much time is taken to understand and conduct interviews with people who have been through trauma and conflict. The interviewer should have experience with trauma-informed interviewing and take an accepting and understanding stance toward the interviewee.

Excerpts of Interview Questions

1. What is it like to live in this war zone?
2. To what extent has the war impacted your neighborhood?
3. How has the war affected you and your loved ones?
4. Do you know of any humanitarian needs in the area?
5. In your opinion, what must occur to resolve the conflict?
6. How have government/rebel/militia activities changed the situation?
7. What do you think the role of international organizations should be in finding a solution to the conflict?
8. As you think about the future of your city/country, how do you think the conflict will affect it?
9. What is the most important thing you want the world to know about the current situation where you live?

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