(Reuters) – Attacks on Ukrainian hospitals, ambulances, and other healthcare facilities have increased quickly in the recent days, and the country is in dire need of essential medical supplies, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), Tuesday.

On Monday, the U.N. confirmed that nine victims had been killed in 16 attacks against health facilities following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The source of the attack did not give any details.

Catherine Smallwood (WHO’s European senior emergency officer), stated that there were instances where ambulances were used for other purposes than emergency care.

These numbers will be updated regularly, Smallwood said. Smallwood explained that the numbers have increased quite rapidly in recent days.

Hans Kluge from Europe, the regional director, said that they are working fast to get medical supplies to Ukraine.

He said that the WHO has made it a top priority to provide oxygen and children with vaccines against polio, particularly in the event of an outbreak, as well as mental health services.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said in a separate statement that countries near Ukraine should consider including them in vaccine programs against various diseases.

According to the ECDC, they need to prioritize measles vaccinations against COVID-19 and Polio. The current measles coverage does not suffice.

According to the agency, “Crowding out of bomb shelters could lead to a measles-related outbreak. This is especially true if spring coincides well with the natural seasonality of the disease.”