The worsening humanitarian catastrophe and conflict in Ukraine has led to the largest refugee crisis in Europe since World War 2. Millions of people are expected to flee Ukraine, with more than a million individuals having fled the country in the first week of the conflict alone.¹ The consequences of war, trauma, and devastation must be tackled swiftly. The resultant mid-term and long-term needs must propel all sectors, including health, into rapid action. The UCL–Lancet Commission on Migration and Health report highlighted evidence-based approaches to address the health needs of forcibly displaced individuals.²

Although the initial response of the EU agreeing to a uniform policy of settlement, work, and welfare rights for those forcibly displaced is welcomed,³ implementation of these policies, without restrictions, red tape, or xenophobia and racism is by no means assured.^2,  4 The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated the need to strengthen health systems and reduce disparities in access to and quality of care for migrant groups.⁵ As the crisis in Ukraine becomes protracted, access to health care could be at further risk because nations have varying levels of preparedness and reception, and variable health systems, particularly in neighbouring countries such as Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic (Czechia), which will be strained by the large numbers of people arriving from Ukraine. These countries will need increased support, including financial support, from other countries. The Ukrainian crisis will test political solidarity, health system planning and capacity, and the global community's ability to keep the commitment to universal health coverage.