United Nations in Ukraine

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Ukraine:

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Publication

01 May 2025

United Nations in Ukraine Annual Results Report 2024

In 2024, jointly with partners, the UN worked on restoring critical water, transport and social infrastructure for over 3 million people while over 10 million benefited from the rehabilitated energy infrastructure. The UN delivered mental health, resilience-building and psychosocial services to almost 1.3 million people, including children. Significant advances were made in demining operations, fostering green economic growth and livelihoods, restoring housing, and strengthening institutional capacity. In addition, the UN provided life-saving support to 8.4 million people.The UN’s efforts in Ukraine were made possible by $936 million in funding from generous donor partners, including Germany, Japan, Norway, the European Union, and others with total expenditure of $685 million for 2024. More specific achievements in 2024 include:Demining and Safety: Over 15 million square meters of land cleared or surveyed, and more than 7 million individuals reached through mine risk education campaigns, including the 6,4 million with targeted media campaigns.Infrastructure Rebuilding: Critical infrastructure restored for 3.1 million Ukrainians, with major restoration of water, energy, and transportation systems.Energy Resilience: More than 10 million people benefited from rehabilitated energy infrastructure and energy efficiency measures.Social Protection: Social protection services were provided to nearly 1 million vulnerable individuals, strengthening local social safety nets.Economic Growth and Job Creation: Nearly 230,000 people were supported in rebuilding their livelihoods through various programs, including vocational training, labour initiatives, business grants and land rehabilitation.Housing: Nearly 31,000 people benefited from repaired residences.Education and Health: Over 627,000 young people reached with resilience support, and 664,000 adolescents accessed mental health services.

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Press Release

02 October 2025

Ahead of winter: UNHCR will provide assistance to help the most vulnerable people in frontline regions get through the cold season

This winter, UNHCR’s response aims to help more than 389,000 war-affected people with specific vulnerabilities, including older people, people with disabilities, people with chronic illnesses and internally displaced people hosted in collective sites. The focus is primarily on people remaining in frontline areas of eastern and northern Ukraine, where the harsh winter season is compounded by war-damaged homes, disrupted power infrastructure, and limited access to critical services. “Preparing for winter means helping families stay resilient. They have endured so much already. By providing cash assistance, heating support and shelter repairs, UNHCR works so that the most vulnerable people make it through the winter in dignity and warmth,” said Alexander D. Mundt, Acting UNHCR Representative in Ukraine.UNHCR’s winter response programme, which is part of a larger inter-agency winter plan, aims to complement the Government efforts to support people in advance of winter. UNHCR, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Policy and the Pension Fund of Ukraine, will provide cash assistance to help families cover winter-specific needs such as solid fuel, warm clothing, and other essentials – prioritizing those who live within 20 km of the frontline or border areas. Last winter, UNHCR helped over 250,000 vulnerable people with cash assistance for seasonal needs. A survey amongst the receiving households showed that their top need was heating, and so 88% of the households spent the money on solid fuel. As the ongoing Russian attacks continue to damage civilian homes and energy infrastructure, the need to support families to keep their homes warm during winter remains urgent and critical. To address this, UNHCR will distribute insulation kits which include heaters, reflective insulation screens, plastic sheets, foam strips, and building tape, that allow both private households and collective sites accommodating internally displaced people to retain heat and reduce energy costs. In addition, sub-standard homes and collective sites will be repaired and insulated, with improvements to roofs, attics, doors, and with installation of modern triple-glazed windows, enabling better heat retention and energy efficiency. UNHCR will also provide and install solid fuel heaters in frontline communities where access to electricity is limited and support the insulation of heating pipes and upgrades to communal heating systems in collective sites. UNHCR’s response is made possible thanks to funding from government and private donors, including our top donors such as the European Union, Germany, Japan, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.Over the 2024–2025 winter, UNHCR implemented a comprehensive winterization plan to help displaced, war-affected, and other vulnerable populations in Ukraine cope during the harsh and cold season. In total, 314,000 multi-sectoral interventions were delivered, including cash assistance, shelter and housing insulation support, and the distribution of essential winter items.

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Story

28 August 2025

A land damaged by war, now being rebuilt by a determined and innovative people

In August 2024, Matthias Schmale started his assignment as the coordinator of the humanitarian and recovery response of the United Nations in Ukraine with a visit to the South. A year later, he returned to the cities of the brave, innovative and resourceful people.Day 1. Odesa and the regionFrom rehabilitating war-affected families and introducing solar-powered water systems to empowering women entrepreneurs, Odesa and the region is a place of creativity and resilience, driven by people who never stop moving forward.Rehabilitation to war-affected familiesWhen arriving at the Ukrainian Medical Center for Mother and Child, you are welcomed by a blooming garden with trees, benches, and a small fountain. This Center is truly unique: its mission goes beyond medical treatment, focusing on holistic rehabilitation for mothers and children, restoring mental health and rebuilding family life disrupted by war. "Today, our center serves 82 communities - internally displaced people, children of the deceased, prisoners of war, veterans, children who were left without a family, adopted children. The center is not only medical, but it also provides social support," says Nataliia, who has managed the rehabilitation center for the past two years. Since 2024, UNICEF has helped the center stay strong, renovating a bomb shelter, improving water and sanitation, and providing a vehicle for mobile medical teams. UNFPA opened a fully accessible gynaecological office for women with disabilities and survivors of gender-based violence, while IOM refreshed the interiors, making it a bright, welcoming place for families.“This is a fantastic investment from the UN family, both into supporting very vulnerable people, as well as providing institutional support to make an installation like this better and more dignified,” say Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Matthias Schmale. Supporting infrastructure and economic development With financial support from France, IOM installed solar power stations in one of the cities in the Odesa region to run water pumping and treatment facilities, shifting operations to clean, renewable energy. These solar-powered stations now provide a reliable water supply to around 30,000 people, even during electricity outages, while cutting costs and reducing environmental impact. “Today we saw a great example of how we can contribute to saving money for the authorities, because solar energy means they are less dependent on the electricity grid. It helps individuals with managing their finances because of the stable tariffs and, of course, it’s an investment into green recovery,” explains Matthias Schmale. Another example is the FAO’s Wine Value Chain Support Project. This initiative is designed to strengthen small wine producers in Odesa region, enhance value‑chain integration and improve market participation for Ukrainian farmers. The Tairov Institute of Viticulture is one of the key FAO’s partners, pioneering climate‑resilient grape-growing, energy-efficient technologies, and turning winery waste into biofuels and dietary supplements. A true circular-economy approach. Connecting gender-based violence response with empowering women-led businesses for long-term economic recoveryThe roundtable to discuss gender-based violence response and recovery brought together UNFPA, implementing partners, key actors and government representatives. Around the table, participants spoke of systems and strategies, but it was the testimonies of those working closest to survivors that shaped the conversation. “What is the connection between GBV and economic recovery? The more we’re able to support women achieve economic independence, the more we’re also investing in the protection against the GBV”, underlined the UN Resident Coordinator. The “Pochatok” project, supported by UN Women from October 2023 to March 2024 and implemented by the NGO Small and Medium Business Support Consulting Center in Ukraine and funded by Japan, focused on helping women affected by the war — especially internally displaced persons (IDPs). The project supported 6,270 women, providing economic empowerment and resilience by offering a mix of entrepreneurial training, personalized mentorship, psychological support, networking opportunities, and small grants to help them start or grow their own businesses. "We wanted to create a place where women could come and join a community of women like themselves, and where children could also have their own community. That’s why we opened not only a bookstore, but a space where children and parents can grow and develop together,” says Olha, participant of the program who received a grant to support development activities in her bookstore called “A little hedgehog.”Day 2. Mykolaiv and Mykolaiv regionMykolaiv region was partially occupied in 2022, leaving a trace of destruction and pushing people to flee. After de-occupation, communities and individuals found ways to recover and move forward.Repairing houses, social infrastructure and supporting the most vulnerableIryna left the Mykolaiv region to live with her daughter while her husband stayed and saw the bombs falling, the house being destroyed and his loved ones being killed. “We were so far from the word ‘war.’ We never thought something like this could happen to civilians. The first civilian who was killed in our village was my husband’s brother. They started shooting, people went outside. No one imagined that civilians would be targeted,” says Iryna. Since Iryna returned, they have been rebuild their house and their life. They have a beautiful garden, dogs and rescued parrots. With support from UNHCR’s partner The Tenth of April, the family received materials to seal the roof and start repairs. The organization’s legal team also helped them navigate a complex court case to restore ownership of their home. However, the pressing issue of no available work, except for seasonal ones, remains. And psychological scars are left for a long time. Alongside supporting people affected by the war, UNHCR and UNDP are working together on a project to help communities recover and create conditions for safe and lasting returns. The project funded by the Community Recovery Fund focuses on strengthening social ties and empowering local activists. It also supports the rebuilding of community facilities that provide essential services and spaces where people can come together. In the rural areas of Mykolaiv, where infrastructure is limited, and mobile connectivity remains unstable, people with reduced mobility are especially dependent on social services for essential support. Lyudmyla, a pensioner whose home was damaged by shelling and later repaired through durable repairs, continues to receive support from a social facilitator under a program implemented by UNHCR and its NGO partner, The Tenth of April.“Over just two days, I saw a striking contrast to the reality of war. Sirens and alarms still interrupt daily life, but even in the midst of war, people are investing in their future. It is deeply inspiring to witness this resilience, and to see how the UN, working hand in hand with local authorities and NGOs, is helping to make it possible. The message is clear: we must continue investing in the future of this country,” sums up Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator.

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Publication

23 September 2025

Treatment of civilians deprived of their liberty in the context of the armed attack by the Russian Federation against Ukraine

👉 Click here for an illustrated webstory about the report's key findings

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY1. Large-scale deprivation of liberty, affecting both of civilians and military personnel, remains a stark reality in the ongoing armed attack of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. Building on previous OHCHR findings, this report describes the treatment of civilians deprived of their liberty for reasons related to the armed conflict since 2022. 2. The Russian Federation and Ukraine have detained distinct groups of civilians for different reasons and lengths of time. Notwithstanding those differences, international humanitarian law (IHL) and international human rights law (IHRL) prescribe common minimum standards for the fair and humane treatment of detainees. Civilians can only be detained on grounds lawful under international law and must be released from detention as soon as the lawful grounds for their detention cease to exist. 3. The Russian Federation has detained Ukrainian citizens on occupied territory where it is bound by its obligations as an occupying Power under IHL, complemented by concurrently applicable IHRL. This report establishes that the Russian Federation has subjected Ukrainian civilian detainees to serious violations of IHL and IHRL. In particular: i. The Russian Federation applies Russian criminal law in occupied territory of Ukraine, ignoring the obligation under IHL to respect – unless absolutely prevented – the laws in force in the occupied territory. It did not develop a procedure for the internment of civilians as foreseen by IHL. ii. Torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (torture and ill-treatment), including sexual violence, have been applied in a systematic and widespread manner against civilians in places of detention. iii. Frequent violations of applicable legal conditions and procedural safeguards governing deprivation of liberty have resulted in arbitrary detention, and in a significant number of cases appear to have given rise to enforced disappearances. iv. The cumulative effect of these measures, combined with a lack of accountability, has placed many Ukrainian civilians outside the effective protection of the law during their detention. v. High numbers of Ukrainian civilian detainees remain arbitrarily detained by Russian authorities in occupied territory of Ukraine and the Russian Federation for reasons or actions related to the armed conflict, often held in dire conditions, without the possibility of relief. 4. In territory under its control, Ukraine has detained mainly its own citizens on charges related to national security under the framework of domestic criminal law, where it is bound by IHRL. Since the full-scale armed attack by the Russian Federation, the increased number of conflict-related detainees has placed additional burdens on the criminal justice system of Ukraine. While authorities have taken steps to ensure procedural safeguards and improve detention conditions, concerns remain. OHCHR continued to document instances of torture and ill-treatment of conflict-related detainees by Ukrainian authorities, and accountability remained limited. 5. The accession process of Ukraine to the European Union offers an opportunity to analyze comprehensively the risk factors in the penitentiary system for torture and ill-treatment and strengthen safeguards and accountability in line with a human rights-based approach. The Ukrainian Government must also ensure respect for the rights of all individuals who are transferred to the Russian Federation as part of diplomatic efforts to secure the release of Ukrainian citizens from Russian detention, in particular in relation to free and informed consent and non-refoulement.

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Story

22 December 2025

The flower farmer defying war and empowering women in Ukraine

Yuliia Zavalniuk, a 35-year-old entrepreneur, is the co-founder of Villa Verde, a flower farm in Kolonshchina village, 46 kilometers from Kyiv. Despite the attacks damaging farm facilities and infrastructure, she continued flower production, becoming a symbol of resilience and defiance.Now, her mission is to create an inclusive working environment, provide jobs for elderly women, and inspire others.From luxury hotels to flower farming“I grew up in Crimea, which has been occupied since 2014,” Zavalniuk explains. She fondly remembers her childhood by the seashore with her grandparents, surrounded by animals.At seven, she moved to Kyiv with her parents, both entrepreneurs. Their hard work taught her the importance of independence and being her own manager. This, she recalls, was when she first dreamed of becoming a successful woman who could provide for her family while managing a purpose-driven enterprise.While studying hospitality in Switzerland and later working in luxury hotels across Europe, she refined her business acumen and passion for service. “I love exceeding expectations,” she says. “I love the guests who are very challenging. But then you come with a smile and open heart and say, ‘I’m here. I'm willing to solve your problem; just let me do this.’”Her transition to agriculture was inspired by her mother, who retired after years in the family business but soon became restless. “After half a year, she said, ‘I’m done with retirement. Now let’s grow flowers!’,” she recalls with a smile.In 2019, they leased a hectare of land and planted their first peonies. By late 2021, the business had expanded to five hectares, filled with peonies, lilacs, and hydrangeas, equipped with automated watering and heating systems. Just as she planned further growth, everything changed. “I was on a business trip to an exhibition in Milano and the next day I woke up and they say: ‘The war has started’,” she sighs. Her first thought? “I have so many flowers. No one will water them. I have to come back and water my flowers.”Adapting to new realitiesHer neighbors sent her a video of the farm’s main building engulfed in flames. Stored heating fuel and pellets fueled the fire during a March 5, 2022, attack, destroying infrastructure, including water systems and equipment. By April 19, she returned to a de-occupied village where electricity had been restored. “I didn’t cry,” she says. “I thought: ‘Ok, I can sell these metal panels and recover some money. So, what is the most valuable?’” Her neighbors had manually watered the greenhouse plants in her absence, offering a glimmer of hope.Support soon arrived from donors, helping Villa Verde rebuild. The farm restored basic watering systems and switched to manual irrigation. “Previously, a sophisticated machine automated the process of mixing and distributing fertilizers,” she explains. “Today, we rely on simpler, manual methods, using water tanks and mixing by hand. It is not fancy, but it works.”Despite challenges, Villa Verde continues to adapt, producing fresh peony cuttings, including the classic Sarah Bernhardt and creamy white Colonel Owen Cousins. “I think we were the first in Ukraine to grow hydrangeas locally because it’s such a complicated flower,” she says proudly.Recently, she expanded into agriculture, growing cherry melons and sweet potatoes, aiming for an organic harvest of two tons.The power and inspiration of the flower businessBefore the full-scale war, Villa Verde provided equal opportunities for men and women. When many men left for the front lines, women remained without income. Recognizing this, Zavalniuk adjusted her hiring policy, prioritizing women of all ages, regardless of family obligations. Understanding their need to balance work and personal life - and knowing she might face the same choice one day – she empathized and adapted.Since 2022, Villa Verde has created two new jobs annually; today, four older women work on the farm.Employing local women has changed lives. “I may not know everything,” Zavalniuk admits. “But women from the countryside know some techniques and may come and share their ideas. We take it into account. We make changes, and they feel they are here, not just as a working force. They are part of a business. They can influence our decisions.”Her commitment to economic inclusion and job creation aligns with the “Climate Justice” area of the Beijing+30 Action Agenda, a voluntary, action-oriented platform to accelerate the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the 2030 Agenda.Even during wartime, she actively promotes women’s economic independence, sharing her experiences at the Women’s Economic Empowerment Congress organized by UN Women in Ukraine. She has also strengthened her business model through training under UN Women's "Empowerment of Women in Business” initiative.The change that took root in the ashesFaced with the war, Zavalniuk saw an opportunity to rebuild and challenge societal norms. “We have to grab this chance,” she reflects. “Women were always given the second role, with the husband or the family being seen as most important; it was never about the woman being important. The woman is just here to be present, but not to make changes and not to drive something.” Now, she sees that changing. More women are launching businesses in her village - from growing apples to crafting handmade socks. With stronger local production networks and affordable taxes, rural women are achieving economic independence. Inspired by Zavalniuk’s success, some of her neighbors have even started flower businesses, proving that women can drive economic transformation in Ukraine.She believes flowers are more than just a product–they symbolize hope. Locally grown blooms are fresher and of higher quality than imports. Just as the Netherlands became famous for tulips, she is convinced Ukraine can become known for peonies.Even in war, people keep buying flowers because they bring joy and smiles. For her, flower farming also provides purpose and routine. “Flowers, they do not care if there is a war or not in Ukraine. They need water and heating.” She finds strength in Joan of Arc’s words: “I am not afraid… I was born to do this.” Smiling, she adds, “Here at the farm, I'm not afraid of bugs, diseases, weather conditions, or missile attacks because I was born to grow flowers.”This story is a part of the Beijing+30 regional communications campaign ‘Unstoppable’, aimed at marking the 30th commemoration of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The views expressed in this story are those of the protagonist and the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of UN Women, the United Nations, or any of its affiliated organizations.

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Story

17 December 2025

Young people and the UN came together to shape new ideas and solutions for Ukraine’s future

On 8 December, more than 80 students and young leaders joined a joint event of the UN and Lviv Polytechnic. They talked about what their communities need today and shared ideas that could grow into real projects with UN support. The day began in the modern space of the Leoland educational and sports center, where university and UN representatives welcomed the participants. The Head of the UN in Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, and University Vice-Rector Iryna Khomyshyn opened the event, highlighting how important it is to hear from young people, those who often sense change first and shape new approaches. Representatives of UNESCO and UNICEF also shared programmes already supporting young people in the region. During the conversation, Matthias Schmale debunked several common myths about the UN and encouraged students to think boldly about solutions for today’s challenges and to take part in shaping them. In the second part of the event, the young participants rolled up their sleeves and got to work. In groups, they identified the most urgent issues in their communities, developed creative ideas and drafted project proposals that the UN could help bring to life. They explored themes such as mental health, supporting displaced youth, inclusive public spaces and access to housing, relying not only on their skills, but on their lived experience of what young people need to stay, grow and feel at home in their communities. Across interactive zones and installations, the students shared their vision for Ukraine’s recovery and learned from one another. Participants also visited the opening of the photo exhibition “Shared Lives, Shared Future,” dedicated to the UN’s 80th anniversary. The exhibition captures how UN projects across Ukraine support people through crisis, help communities rebuild, and create opportunities for a future where no one is left behind. In his remarks, Matthias Schmale said: “At the UN, we are working to ensure this war ends justly for Ukraine and in line with the UN Charter. But even after the fighting stops, we will face a long road to recovery. Young people will play a key role in shaping what Ukraine becomes. Your ideas and your energy matter.”This was the second youth-focused event of its kind this year. The first took place in Kharkiv in October. Next year, the UN hopes to visit more regions, because young people everywhere are shaping the future we are building together.

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Story

08 December 2025

Enabling education to continue, underground

The village of Inhulka in southern Ukraine’s Mykolaiv region is home to around 2,000 people. An agricultural community, it lies some 40 kilometres to the north of Mykolaiv, the regional centre.The only school in the village, the Inhulka Lyceum, has recently received support as part of a project implemented by UNOPS and funded by Denmark. Between December 2024 and September 2025, work was undertaken to renovate its two underground shelters and turn them into welcoming learning spaces.The reality of education in Ukraine is that students can only attend studies at schools that have a state-certified shelter in place. The capacity of that shelter determines the number of children a school can accommodate. When the air raid alert sounds, teachers lead students underground, sometimes to spend hours until the all-clear is given. If no shelter is available, or its condition is poor, the school can only offer online learning.“Schools used to be built with underground shelters back in Soviet times," explains Vadym Kobylinskyi, the Inhulka Luceum’s principal. “Then, they eventually fell into disrepair. Nobody in their right mind thought we would ever be using them,” he adds. Thanks to repairs implemented by UNOPS, the school now features two equipped underground spaces with a combined capacity for 250 people. This is sufficient to shelter all 239 students currently enrolled. As a designated hub school serving children from Inhulka and neighbouring villages since 2021, the Lyceum faced significant pressure to resume face-to-face learning. The newly renovated shelters have resolved this challenge, ensuring safe access to education for the wider community. “Our children have already returned to classroom studies. The teaching staff could not be any happier,’ shares Vadym. ‘Now, when another of the countless air raid alerts sounds, students can simply retreat underground and continue classes without skipping a beat, in an environment that is cosy, comfortable, well lit, and warm,” said Vadym Kobylinskyi, principal, Inhulka Luceum.‘We support our students and want them to develop in multiple directions. We have a folk ensemble that has won awards at numerous contests. We also have a professional football coach working with a team. There are plenty of activities for students to enjoy other than academics,’ adds Vadym. This is just one example of the challenges and solutions on the agenda for Ukrainian communities. Addressing them calls for strong cooperation and pragmatism.“Children are our future. We are happy to have contributed to a safer environment for them,” explains Hryhorii Komisarov, the UNOPS engineer responsible for work at both shelters.“Ukrainian education has struggled a lot since the start of the invasion, because attending classes in person has become so much more difficult. Because of this, many families make the heart-breaking decision to leave and start their life elsewhere. By putting such shelters in place, we help future generations stay and grow in Ukraine,” he adds.About the project“Restoring Communities and Social Infrastructure” is a support project funded by the government of Denmark and implemented by UNOPS. Following needs and damage assessments done in close cooperation with local authorities in Mykolaiv City and the surrounding region, it has been working to address pressing needs and create the conditions for local communities to rebuild.Activities include repairing multi-apartment residential buildings and rehabilitating their neighbourhoods, renovating and constructing underground shelters at schools, and stabilising the Arkas Lyceum in downtown Mykolaiv, a prominent educational facility and cultural heritage site damaged by a missile strike.

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05 December 2025

International Volunteer Day: Stories of Volunteers Changing Lives

The efforts of volunteers and humanitarian workers remain crucial in addressing the ongoing challenges. Let's hear from some of the volunteers who support United Nations on the ground in Ukraine and in the neighbouring countries. “Volunteering is more than just helping—it’s a way to build a stronger society. Despite the challenges, we are still here. We don’t wait for circumstances to change; we become the change we want to see,” said Yulia Kutsokon, UN Volunteer Programme Assistant with UNFPA.Online Volunteer, Marharyta Starynets served in an assignment related to social listening and digital engagement for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Romania. "Social listening helps us understand what Ukrainians with temporary protection in Romania need by monitoring discussions on platforms like Telegram and Facebook. As Online Volunteers, we track key topics such as education, healthcare, and housing, compiling weekly reports to address their challenges. Social listening seems far more complex than it sounds. That's especially true in instances where we are dealing with different language mixtures and dialects that the tools might not understand. That's where my role comes in handy. For instance in some Ukrainian villages, people speak a mix of Russian and Ukrainian called 'surzhyk' and it's certainly not easy for social listening tools to catch on. Here my role is to read through social media posts, comments, and messages, and try to make sense of the communication."“Despite technical difficulties and emotional stress, our work ensures that vital information reaches those who need it most”
Marharyta Starynets, Online Volunteer with UNICEF Romania.Hanna Doroshenko, UN Volunteer PSEA Officer with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) shares, "Today, life in Ukraine is incredibly difficult—economically, materially, and emotionally. Ukrainian women, in particular, face severely limited opportunities. That is why I choose to volunteer. It is my way of contributing to the transformation of our society, of offering my humble share in the development of our nation." “Volunteering not only inspires me but also changes me in the process,” said Hanna Doroshenko, UN Volunteer with UNDP Ukraine.Polina Galagan, UN Volunteer Veteran Support Associate with UNDP shares, "I am happy with my work, but it is far from easy. Performing well in this field requires a deep understanding of the bigger picture, especially the psychological state of veterans. Our work focuses on training specialists who support veterans and their families, which means knowing every detail of their mental and emotional challenges.”Andriy Kolobov, UN Volunteer Support Associate is part of UNV Ukraine, "As part of the UN Volunteers team in Ukraine, I felt immense pride when we swiftly deployed the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and UNDP personnel to help restore Ukraine’s energy security. We also supported the resettlement of people from Pokrovsk, a temporarily occupied territory."“Witnessing the immediate impact of our efforts reinforced the power of volunteering in times of crisis,” said Andriy Kolobov, UN Volunteer Support Associate with UNV Ukraine. Two hundred and sixty-four UN Volunteers, 63 percent of whom were women, served across Ukraine, primarily with UNDP, UNFPA, IOM, and UN Women in 2024. Their diverse fields of service addressed various needs, including crisis response, assessment for environmental damage, quality education for all, distribution of humanitarian aid, and more. Additionally, 80 Online Volunteers from six countries supported emergency response efforts through digital channels. Demonstrating compassion, courage, and commitment through volunteering. Standing in solidarity, United Nations Volunteers #WeAreStillHere.Source: UN Volunteers

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05 December 2025

Keeping the heat on

As communities in Mykolaiv, Ukraine continue to grapple with the impacts of the ongoing war, UNOPS and the government of Denmark are helping utility workers keep the city’s heating services functioning with advanced emergency repair vehicles.Since late 2022, UNOPS and the government of Denmark have been working to address critical needs in Mykolaiv city and the surrounding region, which sustained heavy damage in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion.For the city’s residents, everyday life and recovery efforts are still hindered by constant threats of drones and missiles, as well as damage to critical infrastructure – including the city’s utility networks. As the cold winter months loom, utility companies are getting ready to tackle all kinds of emergencies that could disrupt access to heating and water for local residents.To support these preparation efforts, the government of Denmark and UNOPS delivered 10 emergency repair vehicles to the Mykolaiv region. Four of these joined a fleet of vehicles owned by Mykolaiv-obl-teplo-energo (MOTE), the municipal heating company that maintains 450 kilometres of heating piping network (almost as large as that in Paris). “A similar vehicle helped us eliminate 17 emergencies – sometimes, the crew would arrive at the site of the emergency and identify that a pipe ruptured inside a reinforced concrete support. In the past, extra staff and auxiliary equipment would have to be withdrawn from elsewhere to help, costing us time. Now, the crew can make do with just a single vehicle,” said Oleksandr Ivanov - Deputy chief technical officer, Mykolaiv-obl-teplo-energo.Before emergency crews can use the new vehicles, they will be trained to use the equipment kit that comes with every vehicle. This includes a submersible trash pump, impact tools and grinders powered by a compact 18-horsepower petrol hydraulic unit. There is a welder-generator that enables both power and on-site welding, eliminating the need for an external power source. This kit makes each vehicle a stand-alone mobile emergency repair station that can cover the typical range of emergency work: pumping dirty water away from wells and pits, safely operating hydraulic tools in wet conditions, cutting and stopping pipes, and opening concrete slabs.
Among the participants of a recent equipment training session is Tetiana Orlovska, a heating district supervisor with over 35 years of experience. A certified construction engineer, she is no stranger to burst head pipes.In the winter, Tetiana oversees boiler houses and the work of the mechanics, making sure everything runs smoothly. During the warmer months when heating is turned off, she conducts hydraulic tests of the heating grid and prepares boiler houses for the next heating season. “The new vehicles will increase our efficiency. Faster repairs mean less downtime for consumers. They also mean our teams can get more done in a unit of time … It’s an all-round improvement,” said Tetiana Orlovska - heating district supervisor, Mykolaiv-obl-teplo-energo.The increased efficiency is particularly important given the strain on MOTE’s human resources due to the ongoing war. While the utility company has partnered with the local university to train future heat and power experts, and offered paid work for undergraduates, enhancing efficiency is vital. “It’s a tough job: we respond to emergencies 24/7, often working late into the night in freezing temperatures … The new emergency repair vehicles will speed up the works, quickly releasing the crew to deal with other challenges,” said Artem Polishchuk - Head, 6th heating district, Mykolaiv-obl-teplo-energo.The challenges faced by war-time Mykolaiv remain numerous. Working together with the government of Denmark and local partners, UNOPS is helping deliver practical solutions to sustain critical systems and lay the foundations for sustainable recovery.About the projectUNOPS partnership with the government of Denmark under the ‘Procurement of goods and services for the restoration of Ukraine’ project is focused on restoring and strengthening utility services in Mykolaiv and the surrounding region, laying the foundations for local recovery.Implemented since late 2022, with a total budget of over $25 million, it has provided over 350 generators to power essential municipal sites, 19 mobile heating units to keep hospitals and schools warm, 12 city buses, 27 school buses, 67 utility vehicles, 16 fire extinguishing modules, and water supply solutions (28 water towers and eight water pumps), all aimed at maintaining essential community systems.A smaller component of the project also supported Kharkiv and Dnipro and Zaporizhizhia by providing 11 school buses, five water trucks and six loader excavators for Dnipro, 11 school buses for Kharkiv and five loader excavators for Zaporizhzhia oblasts. The project is set to run until 2026.

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Press Release

10 December 2025

Ukrainian NGO Proliska is regional winner of UNHCR’s Nansen Award 2025

This award is not only a well-deserved recognition of Proliska, their entire staff and vital work – it is also a powerful acknowledgement of the tireless efforts and essential work of civil society across Ukraine. It honors the numerous NGOs, volunteers and communities whose critical contributions continue to shape and strengthen the humanitarian and recovery response during the full-scale war. In the aftermath of air strikes and shelling, also when it happens at night or in remote areas, Proliska is often among the first to respond, operating alongside state and municipal emergency responders. Proliska has helped to evacuate thousands of people from frontline areas, ensuring that the most vulnerable groups, like older people, persons with disabilities and families with few resources, are not forgotten. And for those unable or unwilling to flee, Proliska’s teams continues to deliver essential aid, like water, medical care, psychosocial support and critical supplies. “Across Ukraine, civil society and communities are doing indispensable work to support people in need. The courage and dedication of the Proliska team, often working in incredibly difficult and dangerous conditions, has saved countless lives and provided timely and dignified help to displaced people in their hours of greatest needs. Proliska’s work is truly emblematic of what it means to uphold humanity in the midst of a devastating war,” said Bernadette Castel-Hollingsworth, UNHCR’s Representative in Ukraine.Proliska has been UNHCR’s NGO partner since 2016 following the beginning of the war in 2014 and throughout Russia’s full-scale invasion. Remaining operational across the most heavily affected areas, currently the organization works across 13 regions with a staff of some 1,000 people. “It is a great honor to accept the Nansen Award on behalf of the entire team of the Humanitarian mission “Proliska”, meaning every employee and volunteer who, for 12 years of war in Ukraine, has worked for the sake of people in the most difficult circumstances. I am also glad that the Nansen Award returns to Ukraine once again, recognizing the immense scale of the humanitarian crisis, caused by Russia’s invasion,” said Yevgen Kaplin, head of Proliska.This is the third time that the Nansen Refugee Award is received in Ukraine. In 1998, Mustafa Dzhemilev, the leader of the Crimean Tatar people, was the global Nansen Award laureate, honored for his commitment to the right of return of the Crimean Tatar people to their homeland. And in 2020, civil activist Tetiana Barantsova was awarded as regional winner in Europe for her work with displaced people with disabilities.Proliska joins four extraordinary individuals, winners of the global and other regional titles of the prestigious Nansen Refugee Award 2025. Established in 1954, the Nansen Award honours individuals, groups and organizations who go beyond the call of duty to protect refugees, internally displaced or stateless people. It is named after the Norwegian explorer, scientist, diplomat and humanitarian Fridtjof Nansen.“The Nansen Refugee Award celebrates extraordinary courage and compassion. This year’s laureates remind us that, even in dark times, compassion remains undimmed. Their unwavering commitment to protecting and uplifting displaced people offers hope and inspiration. They embody the spirit of Nansen — a belief that every person forced to flee, wherever they are, deserves dignity, safety and hope,” said the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi.The year’s global laureate of the Nansen Award, village chief Martin Azia Sodea from Cameroon has helped integrate 36,000 refugees from the Central African Republic. The other regional winners are: Pablo Moreno Cadena, a business leader in Mexico who has become a trailblazer for refugee inclusion in the country; Taban Shoresh, founder of The Lotus Flower, a women-led organization that supports conflict survivors in the Kurdistan region of Iraq; and Negara Nazari, an Afghan refugee and co-founder of the Ariana Learning Centre in Tajikistan, which is a school for young Afghan refugees who were unable to access education. The Nansen awards are made possible thanks to generous support from the Governments of Norway and Switzerland, the IKEA Foundation and the City and Canton of Geneva.

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Press Release

10 December 2025

Laboratory reagents for detection of infectious diseases and epidemic prevention delivered to Ukraine with ASEF and WHO support

During the war, early detection of infectious diseases is critical. For over two decades, Ukraine has implemented a comprehensive national poliomyelitis prevention programme. Although the 2021 outbreak has been officially closed, continued testing for poliovirus remains critical, as the disease persists as a global threat. Maintaining systematic epidemiological surveillance enables Ukraine to detect and prevent potential cases or outbreaks in a timely manner.This proactive strategy not only protects Ukrainian children but also strengthens health security across the region, including neighboring countries hosting refugees. Sustained investment and modernization of laboratory capacity are essential to enable rapid response, prevent disease spread, and safeguard future generations.As part of this humanitarian support, PCR kits and other diagnostic reagents for the detection and differentiation of influenza, SARS-COV-2, other respiratory pathogens, meningitis, malaria and other tropical fevers, as well as hantavirus infections, and diphtheria were also procured and distributed to laboratories throughout Ukraine.The handover ceremony of supplies to the Public Health Center of Ukraine was attended by Deputy Minister of Health of Ukraine and Chief State Sanitary Doctor of Ukraine, Ihor Kuzin; Director of the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Volodymyr Kurpita; H.E. Masashi Nakagome, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine; Mr Satoshi Sugimoto, Senior Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Ukraine Office; and ASEF Executive Director, Ambassador Beata Stoczyńska – partners who have consistently supported national efforts to strengthen the public health system in close cooperation with WHO in Ukraine, represented by Dr Jarno Habicht.“A strong laboratory network remains the foundation of an effective public health and response system. The development of this infrastructure and the reinforcement of diagnostic capacities across the country continue uninterrupted. Through cooperation with international partners, the Ministry is steadily expanding the capacities of our laboratories – from upgrading equipment to providing modern reagents and training specialists. This enables us to improve the quality of testing, detect infectious threats more rapidly, and make the public health system more responsive and resilient to potential risks,” stated Ihor Kuzin, Deputy Minister of Health of Ukraine.“Together with international partners, we are ensuring that laboratories are equipped with the resources required for timely detection and prevention of disease spread. Importantly, laboratory specialists receive continuous trainings in accordance with international standards and best practices,” noted Dr. Jarno Habicht, Head of the WHO Country Office in Ukraine.H.E. Masashi Nakagome, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine underlined: "Japan has supported infectious disease control efforts in Ukraine and neighboring countries since 2022. Through this new assistance, Japan hopes to contribute to Ukraine’s collective efforts to reduce the number of people affected by infectious diseases."“On this occasion, the Asia-Europe Foundation reaffirms our commitment to support the resilience and recovery of Ukraine's health system. With the generous support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, ASEF continues to stand firmly with the people of Ukraine, mobilizing critical resources in close partnership with WHO to address urgent health needs and support the recovery of the national health system”, said the ASEF Executive Director, Ambassador Beata Stoczyńska.“Infection control during wartime is critically important to reducing the overall burden on the health system. This is why we have aimed to strengthen testing capacities and provide a comprehensive solution by fully supplying laboratories with reagents across the country. We are grateful to our partners for this timely and essential support,” said Volodymyr Kurpita, Director of the Public Health Center of Ukraine.Background informationWorking in close partnership with the World Health Organization, ASEF has contributed essential resources to address immediate health needs while supporting longer-term system strengthening. Through joint interventions channelled via WHO Ukraine, nearly four million people across the country have received access to essential health supplies and services, with more than 320 health institutions supported, and medical equipment valued at over USD 7.6 million delivered nationwide. These efforts ensured comprehensive geographic coverage, including frontline areas such as Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. As part of this continued support, the ASEF is now contributing to the enhancement of laboratory capacities in Kyiv Oblast Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kyiv City Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Ukrainian Public Health Center, reinforcing diagnostic capabilities for high-risk communicable diseases and improving outbreak preparedness. Overall, the reagents from this batch are being distributed to all regions of Ukraine, while poliovirus testing kits are specifically directed to regions designated by the Center for Public Health as having elevated risk levels. Most recently, within the same initiative, 26,000 doses of rabies vaccine were distributed to health facilities across Ukraine.

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Press Release

09 December 2025

Rising Civilian Casualties and Violations Amid Intensifying Hostilities in Ukraine — UN Report

“Our findings establish several worrying trends: rising civilian casualties in both frontline and urban areas, sustained attacks on energy infrastructure, and continued patterns of systematic and widespread torture and ill-treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian detainees,” said Danielle Bell, who heads the Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU).Between June and November 2025, civilian casualties rose significantly in both frontline and urban areas, with July marking the highest number of civilian deaths and injuries since April 2022. On 19 November, a large-scale combined drone–missile strike killed at least 36 civilians in Ternopil, marking the deadliest attack in western Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began.Frontline regions have experienced a severe deterioration in living conditions. Short-range drones, aerial bombs, and other munitions caused extensive damage to residential buildings and other vital civilian infrastructure, effectively rendering some of these areas uninhabitable and triggering new displacement. In some frontline towns, many hospitals and clinics were destroyed or forced to close, leaving residents without access to basic healthcare. Disruption of water, heating, and electricity further reduced the ability of civilians, particularly older persons and persons with disabilities, to remain in their homes.During October and November 2025, the Russian Federation launched eight large-scale, coordinated waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Ukraine’s energy system. These strikes triggered emergency power outages and daily electricity cuts in multiple regions, with scheduled power cuts lasting up to 18 hours per day. Some areas experienced interruptions in water services and heating lasting for many hours or days.Between May and August 2025, Ukraine and the Russian Federation conducted the largest exchanges of prisoners of war (POWs) since 2022, however, HRMMU observed no improvements in the treatment of those interned.“Systematic and widespread torture and ill-treatment of POWs is one of the most shocking and pervasive features of this war,” said Bell. “Of the 187 Ukrainian POWs recently freed by the Russian Federation, 185 provided accounts of severe beatings, stress positions, electric shocks, suffocation and dog attacks. 141 (75 percent) disclosed having been subjected to sexual violence. Interviewees also described harsh conditions of detention, limited medical care, and violence occurring during capture, transfer, admission to new facilities, and throughout internment.”HRMMU interviewed 137 POWs held by Ukraine, including 10 nationals of third countries. More than half, including 37 POWs captured this year, provided accounts of torture and ill-treatment during interrogation or transfer, before arrival at official internment facilities. HRMMU continued to receive unfettered access to internment facilities and continued to observe conditions of detention largely compliant with international norms.The report also highlights a rise in extrajudicial executions of prisoners of war. At least four incidents involving the killing of 10 Ukrainian servicepersons after capture by Russian forces were assessed as credible. It also recorded four executions of Russian POWs by Ukrainian armed forces, alongside credible allegations of three additional incidents currently under review. In territory of Ukraine under Russian Federation occupation, authorities continued to impose measures in violation of international humanitarian law. The report outlines worsening restrictions on freedom of movement, expression, religion, and access to independent information. Civilians faced increased pressure to adopt Russian citizenship, with daily life being almost impossible without a Russian passport. The report describes patterns of arbitrary arrest, prosecutions for criticism of the “special military operation”, the use of forced confessions, and the retroactive application of criminal laws.Property rights have also been significantly affected. Occupying authorities continued implementing legislation enabling the expropriation of residential property of Ukrainians deemed “abandoned”. As of November 2025, at least 5,557 homes had been registered as such in Donetsk and Luhansk regions and transferred to municipal ownership. Ukrainians displaced to Government-controlled territory reported being unable to participate in judicial proceedings to verify the status and retain ownership of their private property.Access to water further deteriorated in parts of occupied Donetsk region, where reduced water reservoir levels and ageing and/or damaged infrastructure necessitated water rationing. Households in some areas received running water only once every several days; many reported poor water quality and high costs associated with purchasing safe drinking water.The report highlights the continued efforts of the Ukrainian authorities and humanitarian actors to support civilians affected by the hostilities, including large-scale evacuations, establishment of transit centres, and delivery of medical, psychosocial, and legal assistance, despite extremely challenging – and increasingly dangerous – conditions, including attacks on humanitarian workers and a UN convoy.The report includes detailed findings and recommendations to the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and the international community.

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Press Release

08 December 2025

FAO and Qatar Fund for Development launch USD 10 million programme to support mine-affected rural communities in Ukraine

8 December 2025, Doha, Qatar - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) have signed a USD 10 million agreement to support rural communities affected by the potential contamination of agricultural land with mines and explosive remnants of war in Ukraine. Through support provided by QFFD and implemented by FAO in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP), the programme aims to restore safe use of agricultural land, revitalize livelihoods and strengthen the resilience of farming communities across some of the most severely affected oblasts in southern and eastern Ukraine. The initiative will also contribute to shaping a scalable model that can inform similar recovery efforts in other crisis-affected contexts.The project forms part of a joint initiative between FAO and the WFP that links mine action with agricultural recovery. Under this partnership, FAO will lead prioritization of needs based on geospatial analysis, soil assessments, land rehabilitation and the restoration of agricultural production, while WFP will oversee non-technical and technical surveying as well as clearance operations. Together, the two agencies provide an integrated pathway from making land safe to enabling farming communities restart cultivation.“For many rural families in Ukraine, the ability to safely return to their land is the first step toward rebuilding their livelihoods. This partnership with Qatar Fund for Development brings much-needed support to communities living with the daily consequences of landmines and unexploded ordnance contamination,” said Maxwell Sibhensana, Deputy Director of the Office of Emergencies and Resilience at FAO. “By combining agricultural technical expertise with mine action assistance, we are helping farming communities regain safe access to their land and rebuild the foundations of a resilient rural economy – an essential contribution not only to Ukraine’s recovery, but also to wider regional and global food security.”Fahad Hamad Al-Sulaiti, Director General of QFFD stated, “Our partnership with FAO represents a shared commitment to supporting farming communities in Ukraine whose livelihoods have been disrupted by landmine contamination. Through this programme, we aim to restore safe access to agricultural land and enable thousands of families to resume cultivation, contributing to food security and economic recovery. QFFD is proud to work alongside FAO in delivering practical solutions that foster resilient communities capable of thriving and building a more secure future.”Ukraine remains one of the most mine-affected countries in the world, with up to 138 500 km² affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war. The area is equivalent to the size of Greece – a scale that illustrates the magnitude of the challenge for farmers whose fields remain unsafe or inaccessible. Mine contamination continues to restrict access to farmland, reduce production capacity and slow the recovery of rural economies, underscoring the need for sustained international support to restore safe cultivation and safeguard national food production as well as economic recovery.The programme targets some of the most severely affected oblasts in southern and eastern Ukraine and focuses on identifying priority agricultural areas, assessing soil health and supporting farmers in safely resuming cultivation. Activities will include advanced satellite and geospatial analysis to map damage and contamination, along with comprehensive soil testing to evaluate safety, contamination risks and restoration needs. The initiative will build upon national expertise by training young scientists and strengthening local institutions, while promoting good agricultural practices for land rehabilitation. This investment in human capital contributes to long-term national capacity building, ensuring that Ukraine has a future-ready system for soil rehabilitation and resilient agricultural recovery.Alongside these technical efforts, livelihood assistance will be provided through provision of agricultural inputs, equipment and construction materials through vouchers, enabling more than 3 500 rural families and 100 small-scale farmers to restart production on safe land. Once functioning at full scale, the intervention is expected to contribute meaningfully to food security, strengthen livelihoods and income generation as well as long-term recovery for rural communities whose farmland remains inaccessible or unsafe due to mines and unexploded ordnance.This new partnership builds on FAO’s broader support to Ukraine’s agricultural sector since 2022, including emergency assistance, mine action coordination, land rehabilitation, production recovery and the restoration of critical rural infrastructure. By addressing both the humanitarian and economic consequences of mine contamination, the programme strengthens the foundations for recovery and lays the groundwork for sustainable development in the affected regions.

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Press Release

03 December 2025

Call for Submissions by the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine

The Commission in particular values first-hand information provided by survivors of events, their relatives, and witnesses. It investigates reports of violations and crimes in all areas directly impacted by the conflict, regardless of the identity, nationality, or origin of the alleged perpetrators. The Commission is interested in information on the following issues regarding both parties to the armed conflict, as applicable:
•    Violation of fair trial guarantees and in particular the use of torture to obtain evidence.
•    Transfer or deportation of children, obstacles to their return to Ukraine, prolonged foster placement and adoption.
•    Education of children in occupied territories, including extracurricular activities, notably those involving a military component and those which may contravene the relevant provisions of international law.
•    Sexual and gender-based violence and the impact on survivors, including challenges faced by them to get support.
•    Violations committed by armed forces’ commanders against members of their own forces, including during mobilization. The Commission attaches the utmost importance to the protection of sources, notably concerning the respect for confidentiality and the ‘do no harm’ principle (not to jeopardize the life, safety, freedom and well-being of victims, witnesses and other cooperating persons). It will only disclose the identity of cooperating persons, if there is informed consent from them and will use the information provided in accordance with their stated wishes. Furthermore, the Commission takes all possible measures to ensure protection of information, including through the use of appropriate information communication technologies. It should be noted that not all information sent to the Commission will necessarily be reflected in the reports. To preserve the security and confidentiality of the information submitted, it is recommended to submit through the secure cloud created by the Commission for this purpose. Please upload all your documents to the cloud. Should you have any questions, including on how to submit information in a different way, please contact the Commission at: coi-ukraine@un.org Background: The Commission was established by the UN Human Rights Council in March 2022 to investigate violations and abuses of human rights, violations of international humanitarian law, and related crimes in the context of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine. In April 2025 its mandate was renewed for one additional year.
The Commissioners were appointed by the President of the UN Human Rights Council; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights Office provides support to the Commission of Inquiry, the commissioners serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including the UN. Any views or opinions presented herein are solely those of the mandated Commissioners.Contact information:
Saule Mukhametrakhimova, Media Adviser, Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, saule.mukhametrakhimova@un.org, + 43 6763 493464

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