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Press Release
08 May 2026
Step by step: coordinated evacuations provide a lifeline for sick and injured Ukrainians
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Press Release
08 May 2026
FAO and UNOPS launch programme to support farmers in Khersonska oblast
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Story
08 May 2026
Ukraine’s recovery has a hidden fault line, and we are not measuring it
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Latest
The Sustainable Development Goals 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:
Press Release
23 February 2026
Updated Ukraine Recovery and Reconstruction Needs Assessment Released
KYIV, Ukraine, Feb. 23, 2026— Four years into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, an updated joint Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA5) released today by the Government of Ukraine, the World Bank Group, the European Commission, and the United Nations currently estimates that as of 31 December 2025, the total cost of reconstruction and recovery in Ukraine is almost $588 billion (over €500 billion) over the next decade, which is nearly 3 times the estimated nominal GDP of Ukraine for 2025. With the support of development partners, the Government of Ukraine is taking significant steps to meet recovery and reconstruction priorities for 2026, including public investment projects and essential recovery support programs such as funding for destroyed housing, demining, and multisector economic support programs, totaling more than $15 billion. In addition, per the available information collected under the RDNA assessment, at least $20 billion in needs have already been met since February 2022 through urgent repairs and early recovery activities in housing, energy, education, transport, and other essential sectors. “Four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, the total cost of Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery is now estimated at nearly $588 billion over the next decade, nearly three times the country’s projected nominal GDP for 2025,” noted Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko. “Amid unprecedented Russian attacks on energy infrastructure and homes across Ukraine this winter, our people show resilience, our entrepreneurs keep working. We still manage to recover fast and develop further. I thank the World Bank, EU, and UN teams for supporting our efforts to stand against the challenges. The assistance helps us urgently repair our critical infrastructure to keep the country running as well as continue systematic recovery activities focusing on energy projects and housing for our people.” The latest update presents an overview of nearly four years of impact, covering 46 months between February 2022 and December 2025. It finds that direct damage in Ukraine has now reached over $195 billion (€166 billion), up from $176 billion (€150 billion) in the RDNA4 of February 2025, with housing, transport, and energy sectors being most affected. Damage, losses, and needs remain concentrated in frontline oblasts and major metropolitan areas. In the energy sector, which has been subject to increased attacks as Ukraine endures a winter of record intensity, there has been an approximately 21 percent increase in damaged or destroyed assets since the RDNA4, including power generation, transmission, distribution infrastructure, and district heating. In the transport sector, needs have increased by around 24 percent since RDNA4 and are the result of intensified attacks on rail and ports during 2025. As of December 31, 2025, 14 percent of housing has been damaged or destroyed, impacting over three million households.“Despite the widespread damage that continues to mount against Ukraine’s people, economy and infrastructure, the entire country continues to press on with remarkable strength and resolve,” said Anna Bjerde, World Bank Managing Director of Operations. “The World Bank Group stands firmly committed to supporting Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction and helping to advance the people of Ukraine with jobs, opportunities and hope in a resilient, modern, and competitive economy.”Ukraine’s private sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of unprecedented disruption and will play a critical role in recovery and reconstruction. The RDNA5 underscores that unlocking the full potential of private investment—both domestic and international—will depend on sustained reforms to improve the business environment, strengthen competition, expand access to finance, address labor constraints, and align production with EU green and digital standards. Promoting sustainable and inclusive development and job creation, and integrated approaches to resilient recovery at the local level—such as through the Government’s pilot Comprehensive Restoration program—will also be essential. The RDNA5 findings complement the reform and investment agenda of the Ukraine Facility, grounded in the EU accession process, for the next two years.“Russia’s war of aggression continues to have a devastating impact on Ukraine,” said EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos. “The EU will continue to play a key role in supporting Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery by mobilizing more private investments through the Ukraine Investment Framework, and by encouraging key reforms through the Ukraine Plan that will attract investment and bring Ukraine closer to EU membership.”Of the total long-term needs, reconstruction and recovery needs are the highest in the transport sector (over $96 billion (€82 billion)). This is followed by the energy sector (nearly $91 billion (€77 billion)), the housing sector (almost $90 billion (€77 billion)), commerce and industry sector (over $63 billion (€54 billion)), and agriculture sector (over $55 billion (€47 billion)). The cost of explosives hazard management and debris clearance is almost $28 billion (€24 billion), despite some progress in surveying and demining that helped to contain losses in this sector. “People are central to recovery,” said Matthias Schmale, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine. “Ukraine’s most critical asset is its people. Refugee return, veteran reintegration, and women’s labor force participation will shape economic recovery as much as capital flows and rebuilding infrastructure. Recovery must be human-centered and community-based.”The RDNA5 acknowledges the Government of Ukraine’s efforts to build a forward looking, inclusive, and resilient economic model anchored in postwar recovery planning and long-term growth and underscores the pivotal role played by EU accession and reforms under the Ukraine Plan, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank Group supported programs. The Government’s emerging postwar economic strategy — the Ukraine Economy of the Future (UEF) — focuses on macrofiscal stability, governance and rule of law reforms, private sector dynamism, infrastructure rebuilding, and investments in human capital and social sustainability. These efforts will help to strengthen confidence among citizens, investors, and partners and position Ukraine for accelerated EU convergence and long-term prosperity. Editorial note: All EUR estimates use the Dec 31, 2025, USD/EUR exchange rate.Contacts: In Washington: Amy Stilwell, Sr. External Affairs Officer, World Bank, (202) 294-5321, astilwell@worldbankgroup.org In Kyiv: Victor Zablotskyi, Communications Officer, World Bank, +380 (67) 466-7690, vzablotskyi@worldbank.orgIn Kyiv: Maria Shaposhnikova, Public Information Officer, UN in Ukraine, +38050 4578443, mariia.shaposhnikova@un.org
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Press Release
31 March 2026
UN General Assembly adopts landmark resolution to strengthen the work of the UN system
Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the adoption, describing it as a “historic resolution” and “a major step” that establishes a critical building block for a 21st century United Nations system that is more effective, more accountable and better equipped to deliver results in a changing world.“The resolution adopted today reflects a shared understanding of the full mandate lifecycle – and a shared commitment to strengthen each step of it,” the Secretary-General told Member States. “Today’s resolution helps translate the ambition of the UN80 Initiative into concrete, practical action.”A stronger approach to the mandate lifecycleMandates - decisions adopted by Member States that guide the work of the United Nations - sit at the core of the Organization’s ability to deliver on peace and security, development, human rights and humanitarian assistance.The resolution strengthens the full mandate lifecycle by introducing measures to:• Strengthen mandate creation, bringing greater discipline, coherence and transparency, and encouraging mandates that are clearer, sharper and more focused, backed by better information for decision-making from the outset;• Strengthen implementation, with more user-oriented and data-driven reporting, better coordination and more effective use of resources;• Strengthen review and accountability, including through a culture of continuous improvement grounded in evidence, accountability and results.Member State leadership, supported by the SecretariatThe resolution builds on the work of the General Assembly’s Informal Ad Hoc Working Group on the Mandate Implementation Review, co-chaired by Ambassador Brian Wallace of Jamaica and Ambassador Carolyn Schwalger of New Zealand.The Working Group was established by the General Assembly in September 2025 to consider the proposals contained in the Secretary-General’s report of the Mandate Implementation Review developed under Workstream 2 of the UN80 Initiative. The report examined how mandates are created, implemented and reviewed, and offered concrete proposals to strengthen each function. Workstream 2 of the UN80 Initiative. The report examined how UN mandates are created, implemented and reviewed, and offered concrete proposals to strengthen each function.The resolution decides to deliver through a formal Ad Hoc Working Group on Mandate Implementation Review, open to all Member States and observers. The tasks include, for example, developing better practical templates, stronger review clauses and further review of existing mandates.While reaffirming the Member State-led process, the Secretary-General outlined how the UN Secretariat will support the Working Group, including through:• a single point of contact for delegations on mandate-related questions and process;• enhanced information on the cost of commonly mandated activities and earlier indications of the financial implications of new mandates;• strengthened coordination of implementation responsibilities across Secretariat entities and the wider UN system; and• strengthened results-based approaches, more tailored and user-friendly reporting, and continued development of the UN Mandate Source Registry and other digital transparency tools.From adoption to implementationCalling the resolution “a major step” - but “only the beginning” - the Secretary-General said the UN system would work as a single, coherent Organization guided by the Working Group to improve how mandates are supported and implemented.The UN80 Initiative, launched by the Secretary-General in March 2025 and welcomed by the General Assembly in resolution 79/318, is a system-wide effort to reshape how the UN system works - so that every mandate, dollar and decision delivers greater impact for people and planet.Media ContactsUN80 Secretariat: un80contact@un.org
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Publication
16 March 2026
Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict — February 2026
SummaryConflict-related violence in February 2026 killed at least 188 people and injured 757. Total casualties were similar to January 2026, but 31 per cent higher than in February 2025 (130 killed; 592 injured) and 83 per cent higher than in February 2024 (156 killed; 360 injured).
Attacks with long-range weapons (missiles and drones) caused about 36 per cent of all civilian casualties (60 killed; 276 injured), most of them in cities and towns far from the frontline.
Near the frontline, short-range drone attacks remained the primary cause of civilian casualties (52 killed; 222 injured). Aerial bombs caused 47 per cent more casualties in February (40 killed; 107 injured) compared with January (17 killed; 83 injured).
The vast majority of civilian casualties (97 per cent) occurred in areas under the control of the Government of Ukraine. Civilians were killed or injured across 15 regions of Ukraine and the city of Kyiv.
Repeated attacks by Russian armed forces on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, including 6 combined large-scale coordinated strikes, continued to cause extensive disruptions to electricity, heating, and water across the country. At least 10 individual strikes targeted combined heating and power plants (CHPPs) responsible for residential heating, as temperatures remained well below freezing.
Attacks with long-range weapons (missiles and drones) caused about 36 per cent of all civilian casualties (60 killed; 276 injured), most of them in cities and towns far from the frontline.
Near the frontline, short-range drone attacks remained the primary cause of civilian casualties (52 killed; 222 injured). Aerial bombs caused 47 per cent more casualties in February (40 killed; 107 injured) compared with January (17 killed; 83 injured).
The vast majority of civilian casualties (97 per cent) occurred in areas under the control of the Government of Ukraine. Civilians were killed or injured across 15 regions of Ukraine and the city of Kyiv.
Repeated attacks by Russian armed forces on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, including 6 combined large-scale coordinated strikes, continued to cause extensive disruptions to electricity, heating, and water across the country. At least 10 individual strikes targeted combined heating and power plants (CHPPs) responsible for residential heating, as temperatures remained well below freezing.
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Press Release
16 March 2026
FAO report: agriculture remains a lifeline for rural families in war-affected Ukraine
The report on food security and agricultural livelihoods in Ukraine, based on interviews with more than 2 800 households across nine front-line oblasts, provides a detailed picture of how rural families are coping with the prolonged impacts of the war.The report reveals that, despite the challenges, agriculture continues to serve as a vital safety net. Four in ten households are engaged in agricultural production, and for many families farming provides a direct source of food while helping shield them from market disruptions and rising food prices. At the same time, the assessment shows that rural livelihoods are under increasing strain. One in three households reported a decline in income over the past year, reflecting growing economic pressure on families already affected by the war.This financial stress is forcing many households to adopt strategies that may help them manage short-term hardship but weaken their resilience over time. More than 75 percent of surveyed households reported relying on coping mechanisms, such as spending savings, borrowing money or cutting essential expenditures, including healthcare and education.“For many rural families in Ukraine, agriculture is not just a source of income – it is a lifeline that helps them feed their families and maintain a sense of stability despite the ongoing war,” said Shakhnoza Muminova, Head of the FAO Office in Ukraine. “Supporting farmers and rural households is therefore necessary not only to protect food security today, but also to safeguard the resilience and recovery of rural communities.”The findings of the report also highlight the compounded challenges faced by the most vulnerable groups. Internally displaced persons, women-headed households and families living near the frontline experience higher exposure to shocks and significantly greater risks of food insecurity.“The assessment shows that many rural households continue to rely on farming as a crucial coping strategy,” said Aziz Karimov, Head of the Assessment, Research, and MEAL Unit at FAO Ukraine, and a lead author of the report. “However, declining incomes, repeated shocks and limited access to agricultural inputs are gradually weakening this safety net, leaving vulnerable households increasingly exposed to food insecurity.”Evidence to guide emergency agriculture and support rural livelihoodsThe report provides critical insight into how the war continues to affect food security and agricultural livelihoods at the household level. By linking economic pressures, production challenges and exposure to shocks, it helps explain why many rural families are becoming increasingly vulnerable despite continuing to farm.The findings have informed FAO’s Emergency and Early Recovery Response Plan for Ukraine 2026–2028, as well as Food Security and Livelihood Cluster partners planning processes aimed at strengthening agricultural resilience and protecting rural livelihoods. By providing evidence on how the war continues to affect household food security and agricultural production, the assessment helps guide targeted support to farmers and rural communities.As Ukraine continues to face the profound consequences of the war, coordinated efforts by national authorities, humanitarian partners and international donors remain essential to address the growing pressures on rural communities. Supporting farmers and rural families is critical to stabilizing food systems, protecting livelihoods and preventing further deterioration of food security in rural areas.Key findingsAgriculture remains a critical livelihood strategy, with 40 percent of surveyed households engaged in agricultural production, and 86 percent of agricultural households producing primarily for self-consumption.Agriculture helps protect households from food insecurity, with farming households reporting lower levels of food deprivation and more diverse diets compared with households not engaged in agricultural activities.Rural households are under increasing financial pressure, with one in three households reporting a decline in income over the past year, and 48 percent of households relying primarily on agricultural income experiencing falling earnings.Households in frontline areas face significant economic vulnerability, with 42 percent relying on pensions and 36 percent on social benefits as their primary income sources, and 3 percent reporting no income at all.Agricultural production is declining under mounting constraints, with 30 percent of crop producers reporting smaller harvests, rising to 45 percent in Khersonska oblast, while 20 percent of livestock producers reported losing animals due to the war.More than 75 percent of households reported adopting coping strategies to manage financial hardship, including spending savings, borrowing money or reducing essential expenditures such as healthcare and education.Displacement has had severe impacts on livestock production, with 70 percent of surveyed evacuees reporting that they had to abandon livestock when fleeing their homes.The most vulnerable groups remain internally displaced persons, women-headed households and families living near the frontline, who consistently experience higher levels of food insecurity, more frequent shocks and greater reliance on negative coping strategies.
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Press Release
30 March 2026
UNHCR supports repairs of common spaces in multi-story buildings, enabling more than 7,500 families to access state compensation
Since 2023, UNHCR has carried out or supported repairs in more than 100 multi-story residential buildings – this has enabled over 7,500 households to become eligible to apply for compensation under the Government’s eVidnovlennia programme.Under national regulations, apartment owners can only apply for compensation once the common areas – such as roofs, staircases, entrances, or windows – have been restored and declared safe. In many war-damaged buildings, the cost of repairing these shared spaces is too high for residents to manage on their own, leaving entire buildings excluded from the compensation mechanism.By repairing these common spaces, UNHCR addresses one of the most practical and immediate barriers to compensation. The repairs are implemented through a combination of contractor-led works and the provision of construction materials to local authorities, complementing the community-led efforts.In 2025 alone, UNHCR helped with repairs across Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro and Mykolaiv regions, making over 1,700 families – in total 3,250 people – eligible to apply for compensation.This work is part of UNHCR’s broader approach to ensure that displaced and war-affected people in Ukraine gain access to the Government’s vital compensation scheme which also entails provision of free legal aid. Together with local NGO partners, UNHCR provides legal counseling to help people restore their housing, land, and property rights, recover essential documents, confirm ownership, or complete inheritance procedures required for compensation claims. In 2025, UNHCR delivered 39,000 legal consultations, helping thousands navigate procedures and overcome administrative obstacles with over 2,200 cases successfully resolved to restore documentation or ownership rights."Through our integrated approach to shelter and protection interventions, we are making sure that no one is left behind and that people are supported to access the Government’s essential compensation programme, which we know serves as a lifeline to many families whose homes have been damaged by Russian attacks. By combining practical repairs with legal aid and our strategic advocacy, we help remove barriers for thousands of people, delivering tangible results today and helping to prepare communities for future reparations and recovery work," says Bernadette Castel-Hollingsworth, UNHCR’s Representative in Ukraine.The repairs of common spaces are part of UNHCR’s larger shelter programme in Ukraine, which supports war-affected and displaced families through emergency shelter materials provided immediately after attacks (more than 565,000 people supported since 2022) and durable house repairs (close to 55,000 houses repaired since 2022).UNHCR’s response in Ukraine is made possible thanks to the generous support of government and private donors. This includes top donors contributing specifically to the Ukraine operation as well as those providing critical flexible funding to UNHCR globally: Denmark, the European Union, Germany, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.More info: UNHCR Ukraine Brief: People-Centred Recovery in Action – Unlocking Compensation
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Story
08 May 2026
Ukraine’s recovery has a hidden fault line, and we are not measuring it
Ukraine’s recovery needs are staggering. The latest assessment of damage and needs places the figure at $587.7 billion over the next decade, nearly three times the country’s GDP. International partners have mobilised extraordinary support, channelled through a very sophisticated architecture. The system knows a great deal about needs and commitments. Damage is mapped, needs are quantified, reforms are tracked, and disbursements are conditioned based on performance benchmarks. Ukraine has become one of the most closely monitored recovery processes in modern history. None of the tools governing Ukraine’s recovery was designed to measure whether institutions behind all of this can actually function and deliver. That is the hidden fault line. Resilience, misused and misunderstood “Resilience” has become one of the most frequently used words in Ukraine to describe the extraordinary capacity of Ukrainians to endure conditions no society should have to withstand. That interpretation is understandable, but incomplete. The capacity to cope with extraordinary hardship is not resilience. It is the absence of an alternative. Resilience, properly understood, is something more operational: whether government systems can keep delivering services under pressure, adapt when circumstances change, and maintain the trust of the people they serve. And right now, no one is measuring it across Ukraine’s recovery architecture. That gap matters. Recovery fails when state capacity is not fully part of the equation. Built for a different problem Most recovery frameworks begin with the same questions: what has been destroyed, what will it cost, who will pay? Those are necessary questions, but not sufficient. They rest on an assumption that if financing is available and reforms are agreed, delivery will follow. Ukraine is stress-testing that assumption under conditions no recovery framework was designed for. It is not a post-conflict case, but a country simultaneously fighting a large-scale war, keeping services going for millions of displaced people and affected populations, managing billions in international assistance, and advancing reforms under martial law. This is a permanently stressed system operating at the edge of institutional limits. The question is no longer whether Ukraine can rebuild, but whether state systems can carry the weight placed on them. Four pressures, one blind spot Four compounding pressures are eroding the state’s ability to deliver in ways the current recovery architecture is poorly equipped to see. Need and capacity move in opposite directions. Frontline oblasts account for 82% of documented destruction. The areas bearing the heaviest burden are also the ones where the fiscal and institutional base has been most severely compressed. Spending does not always translate into results. Social protection allocations in the 2026 budget stand at UAH 468.5 billion ($10.5 billion), covering growing caseloads of displaced persons, veterans, and vulnerable households. In parallel, humanitarian cash programmes deliver large-scale support. Despite the combined scale of both, nearly 80% of households in frontline areas still cannot meet basic needs. External financing is becoming increasingly uncertain. The US has ended budget support, and the 2026 financing gap stands at around $52 billion with only $5.5 billion secured by the end of Q1. Humanitarian funding is declining at the same time, affecting the most vulnerable. Institutional capacity is under pressure. Mobilisation, emigration, and internal displacement have reduced the number of experienced civil servants and administrators. This loss is not visible in dashboards, but it determines whether systems can function. The state is asked to do more with fewer people. The measurement gap at the heart of recovery The frameworks governing Ukraine’s recovery are sophisticated and, within their own terms, effective. Damage assessments tell you what has been destroyed and how much is needed, Ukraine’s digital reconstruction platform DREAM tells you what projects have been registered, funded, and completed. The IMF benchmarks and EU scorecards tell you, in complementary ways, whether the right systems and processes have been adopted. Every instrument does what it was built to do. None was designed to answer the one question that matters most: can the institutions responsible for delivery actually function, and where, and under what conditions? Consider DREAM. Out of more than 12,000 registered projects, fewer than 10% are fully funded. More financing is needed. Historically, nonetheless, Ukraine’s public investment absorption capacity has never exceeded 30%. This is not only a financing problem. It is also a capacity problem. More money helps, but it will not, on its own, close the recovery gap. What gets measured gets managed. The tools governing Ukraine’s recovery fail to measure the one thing that determines whether recovery holds: state capacity under sustained pressure. What cannot be seen cannot be strengthened. The consequences are already visible. First, priorities become distorted. When capacity is not visible, investment flows to where delivery is easiest. The risk of territorial disparities grows, with frontline regions, where institutional stress is greatest, receiving support that falls short of what their situation requires. Second, humanitarian transitions become poorly managed. Humanitarian aid never stops because people no longer need it. It stops because money runs out. In 2026, with humanitarian funding contracting, that moment is already here. A successful transition is measured by whether people can access services, meet their basic needs and become self-sufficient. Right now, that test is being applied without the evidence to know whether the systems taking over can pass it. Third, private investment becomes even more constrained. Private capital responds to predictability and credible commitments, not damage maps. Security conditions matter, but they are not the whole story. Across much of Ukraine’s territory, a critical binding constraint is not security but the absence of any reliable way to read the institutional landscape on the ground. The risk financing architecture is important, but it will not unlock the purely commercial investment that the scale of Ukraine’s needs requires. A different kind of question The instinctive response to complexity is more coordination: new platforms, working groups, and mapping exercises. That temptation should be resisted. The problem is not lack of dialogue. It is the absence of a shared, evidence-based picture of where systems can function effectively and where they need further support. Without that, coordination produces alignment around incomplete questions. Closing this gap requires a state capacity agenda built around what resilience means in operational terms: whether systems can deliver under pressure, adapt when conditions change, and sustain the trust of the people they serve. In practical terms, this requires three shifts: for humanitarian partners, using capacity evidence to guide transition decisions rather than funding cycles; for development institutions, calibrating instruments to local conditions rather than national benchmarks; and for government, clearly identifying where the state can deliver effectively, where it requires reinforcement, and where complementary support remains necessary. The evidence of the capacity constraint exists. What is missing is a framework that consolidates and operationalises it across state systems, at national and subnational level, in a form that decision-makers can act on. The window is open Ukraine’s recovery will not be determined by what is mapped, committed or financed alone. It will be determined by whether institutions can function, adapt, and retain public trust under sustained pressure. The window for getting this right is open. A recovery architecture that cannot measure state capacity under stress will never deliver the recovery it claims to be building. The methods exist. What is missing is their integration into how recovery is governed.
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05 May 2026
Ukraine Is Changing the Future of Mine Action and the World Should Pay Attention
When people think about mine action in Ukraine, they usually focus on danger.They think about contaminated farmland, damaged roads, unexploded ordnance, and the long shadow that war leaves behind.All of this is true. But Ukraine is also becoming something else: one of the world’s most important innovation hubs for detecting, managing, and clearing landmine contamination.What is happening here may not only shape Ukraine’s recovery, it could transform mine action globally.According to estimates cited by international mine action organizations, contamination is likely to affect tens of thousands of square kilometres, with some assessments suggesting that up to around 30% of the country’s territory may be impacted or suspected. A problem of historic scaleUkraine faces one of the largest contamination challenges seen in decades.After years of frontline fighting across vast territories, large areas of land are suspected to contain landmines, unexploded shells, cluster munitions, and other explosive hazards. The problem is very large. But the numbers do not always show the full reality.Not every area marked as dangerous is actually contaminated. There is an important difference between: land that is potentially contaminated, land that is suspected, land that is confirmed and land that truly requires clearance. That distinction matters because if every square kilometre is treated the same way, recovery becomes slower, more expensive, and less efficient.The real challenge is not only clearing land. It is identifying where the real risks are quickly and accurately. Ukraine as a global turning pointMine action has changed several times over the last decades.First, it moved from being a purely military task to a humanitarian one.Later, international standards improved how operations were managed.Then new conflicts involving improvised explosive devices forced another transformation.Ukraine may now represent the next major turning point.But why? Because technology has finally reached a level where it can dramatically improve how mine action is done.Artificial intelligence, drones, robotics, digital mapping, combined sensors, and precision GPS are no longer future concepts. They are tools available now.And Ukraine has the urgency, talent, and scale to test them in real conditions. Technology can make mine action faster and saferTraditional clearance methods are slow, labour-intensive, and dangerous.In many cases, deminers must investigate every signal in the ground manually. That takes time and puts lives at risk.Today, new tools can change that; a drone can map terrain in minutes. Sensors can detect different signals below the surface.AI can combine thousands of data points and identify areas with high probability of contamination.Robotic platforms can inspect dangerous zones remotely.Precision GPS can mark hazardous points within centimetres rather than metres.This means fewer people exposed to danger, faster decisions, and more land returned safely.Ukraine is not inventing every technology from zero. But it is becoming a place where existing tools are being combined in new ways that could redefine the sector.Mine action is not only about minesToo often, mine action is measured by outputs:Number of devices removed Square metres cleared Teams deployed These indicators matter. But they do not tell the full story.The real question is what mine action makes possible:Can farmers return to work?Can children reach school safely?Can roads be repaired?Can investors build factories or warehouses?Can families come home?Mine action should be seen as an enabler of recovery, because you cannot build homes, hospitals, schools, or power infrastructure on unsafe land.Without clearance, reconstruction slows down. Without reconstruction, recovery stalls.Why the whole world should careUkraine’s contamination crisis is not only a national issue.Before the full-scale war, Ukraine was one of the world’s most important agricultural producers.When farmland is damaged or inaccessible, global food supply is affected.That can increase food prices far beyond Europe. For wealthier households, higher food prices are frustrating, but for poorer families in countries already facing hunger, they can be devastating.The same logic applies to energy markets, transport routes, and trade.What happens in Ukrainian fields can affect households thousands of kilometres away.This is why supporting mine action in Ukraine is not charity, it is an investment in global stability. Smarter financing is neededMine action is expensive. But not every dollar creates the same impact.Sometimes, clearing highly contaminated land may cost more than the economic value of that land.That does not mean it should never be cleared. It means decisions must be smarter, based on evidence and long-term outcomes.Ukraine also offers an opportunity to think differently about financing.With strong banking systems, insurance markets, and international support, innovative models could unlock more capital blending public money, private guarantees, and development finance.This could help scale solutions faster than relying only on grants.Measuring what really mattersOne of the biggest lessons from decades of mine action worldwide is that we often measure the wrong things. Success is jobs created, tax revenue restored, also displaced families returning home or women entering sectors where they were once excluded.In Ukraine, more women are already joining mine action teams and leadership roles. That matters not only for the sector itself, but for wider economic participation and social change. The moment to leadUkraine did not choose this contamination challenge, but it can choose how the world responds to it.The country now has an opportunity to lead a new generation of mine action: faster, smarter, safer, and more connected to economic recovery.That requires continued donor support, smarter regulation, stronger partnerships, and openness to innovation.But it also requires a shift in mindset, because mine action is not the end goal; it is the foundation that makes every other recovery goal possible.If Ukraine gets this right, it will not only clear land, it will help clear the path for how the world responds to contamination crises in the future.
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04 May 2026
From Dialogue to Action: Youth and Partnerships
Together with RCO colleagues, and with the support of UNICEF and UNHCR, Head of UN in Ukraine engaged with students at Lviv Polytechnic National University. The discussion explored the role of the United Nations in Ukraine and globally, as well as the ongoing impacts of the war and related challenges.During the visit, the delegation also met with the Governor of Lviv region, representatives of women’s rights organizations, and members of a veterans NGO to exchange views on priorities for response and recovery.Engaging young people remains essential to fostering dialogue, strengthening understanding, and ensuring that the perspectives of the next generation are reflected in current discussions and future decisions.See the photo story below.
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Story
04 May 2026
Story of a School in Chernihiv Region: Returning to Learning in Safe Conditions
Everything changed on 1 March 2022, when a large Russian military convoy entered the village. People soon found themselves under occupation. They were terrified to go outside, and leaving the village was extremely difficult. Valentyna, a teacher at the Pisky secondary school, recalls that period with sadness:“My family and I never left the village. But there were times when enemy troops were stationed just 300 metres from our house. It was terrifying. On those days, we would flee to the forest and stay there all day because it was too dangerous to remain at home. Looting had already begun, and livestock was being stolen. We deliberately left our doors and windows unlocked so that if Russian soldiers entered the house, they would at least not break anything.” The occupation lasted a month but left a lasting mark on the residents’ memories. People spent weeks without communication, sufficient food and medicine, and electricity. Simply charging a phone and reaching out to family became a challenge for many.Polina, an 11th-grade student who has attended the Pisky school since first grade, is now preparing for her final exams. She dreams of becoming a marketing specialist and plays the guitar in her free time. Her family decided to stay in the village during occupation. She shared her memories from that period:“We had spent a long time without electricity, and then, right at the start of the war, we found ourselves under occupation. Every day we could hear tanks and explosions. It was truly terrifying.” In the first months of the full-scale invasion, Polina’s school was damaged. A window was blown out, and the roof was compromised.“We don’t know exactly how it happened, but we think it was from a burst of automatic fire. That day, Russian soldiers were furious and drove through the village, firing at everything in their path. When the rainy season came, water started leaking through the gaps in the roof. We, the teachers and parents, did all we could to save the building,” recalls Valentyna Samson.After the village was returned under Ukrainian control, UNOPS repaired one of the school buildings with funding from the EU. However, because the school lacked a proper shelter, there were plans to close it entirely. To prevent this, UNOPS and the EU decided to build a modular shelter — a separate structure designed for short-term protection against debris and blast waves. “We were very happy when we learned that UNOPS would not only repair the school but also build a shelter. We understood that children need to study in person — it’s crucial for both social development and the learning process. Now, with the shelter in place, we have a fully established procedure for air raid alerts: as soon as the sirens sound, all teachers lead the children to the shelter, where they continue their lessons until the all-clear signal,” says Valentyna Khomenko, the school principal. Denys, an 11th-grade student, shared that everyone quickly adapted to learning in the new conditions.“The modular shelter has everything we need to continue learning. There are three zones: one for the younger grades, one for the middle grades, and one for the older students. Each student has an assigned seat in the shelter. We stay in our places until the all-clear signal sounds,” he explained. The students are happy to come to school every day and see their friends. Despite the ongoing war, they are all preparing for exams, dreaming of a bright future, and hoping for the end of the conflict.About the projectThe Schools Repairs in Ukraine project, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNOPS, aims to repair educational facilities that have been damaged during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This $30 million initiative is being implemented in the regions of Chernihiv, Kyiv, Sumy and Kharkiv, focusing on schools requiring light to medium repair work.The primary objective of the project is to provide access to repaired school facilities which will increase the proportion of children receiving face-to-face education. By rehabilitating more than 70 schools, the project will help restore facilities to a safe and welcoming environment where students can continue their education without interruption.
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Story
01 May 2026
On the path to recovery: how multi-sector support helps communities and returned families rebuild in Ukraine
Widow and single mother Mariia endured the danger and close-by fighting from Russia’s full-scale invasion for almost a month, before she decided to flee her village of Zavodske in Mykolaiv region. In March 2022, she took her 11-year-old daughter and their much-beloved cat, securing transport with a neighbor.“It was not safe to stay here. During the evacuation, as we were driving, we could hear the explosions behind us,” today 39-year-old Mariia recalls.The small family first went to central Ukraine, moving between friends who could accommodate them, and later left for Poland. For Mariia, it was a matter of ensuring proper support and stability for her daughter. However, they strongly longed for home – and when Ukraine retook the area later in the year, Mariia quickly returned. Only to find the village deserted, her home severely damaged, and life incredibly challenging. “Lonely dogs were roaming the streets, and all lay in ruins,” she remembers of her village, located right on the frontline of the fighting at the start of the invasion, prompting all but 86 residents of the pre-war population of 4,000 to flee.Since then, much has happened in Zavodske and other similar villages that were heavily impacted by occupation, causing destruction and displacement. But now, there are glimmers of hope, as Ukrainian forces have regained control and people are cautiously returning.Local authorities and the communities are eager to rebuild, despite the continuation of the war – and a joint project between UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and UNDP, the UN Development Programme, is directly addressing and supporting these efforts, helping life to slowly resume.Since August 2024, the joint project has focused on creating safe conditions for recovery and return across four selected communities in Mykolaiv and Kherson regions – with support from the Ukraine Community Recovery Fund (UCRF), a community-level recovery fund, supported by the United Nations in coordination with the Government. In close collaboration with local authorities and civil society, the UNDP-UNHCR project addresses the challenges and issues that people face when they try to return. Safety and security remain one of the most pressing concerns: mine action and clearing of debris, rebuilding of houses and key infrastructure, restoring essential services, as well as livelihood efforts, community security as well as protection and legal services.In Mariia’s village, a result of the project is the rehabilitation of the community and village council building that was left damaged by the fighting. In February 2026, the renovated building was officially inaugurated, allowing for administrative service provision to resume and providing a space for vital community activities. “Right after our return here, we needed to prepare some documents, but there was no administration here, so we had to go to Mykolaiv city to only fix one paper. And without transport working, we had to pay to rent a car to drive there and back. But now, it’s just so much easier, and we don’t have to spend money to go somewhere,” explains Mariia who recently had to get some ID-papers in order for her daughter – and this time, only had to visit the renovated village administration around the corner.As for her own home, things have also improved. When she came back in 2022, her building was completely damaged with the roof leaking and no windows left intact. Mariia received support from UNHCR’s NGO partner The Tenth of April, who restored the roof of her multistory apartment building. She has been able to cover some repair expenses on her own, and the Tenth of April is now also helping her with legal aid to apply for the state’s compensation programme to be able to continue with the required repair works.In Mariia’s building, five of the original 16 families have now returned. “We are on the right path. Things are being rebuilt. I hope that everybody will come back eventually. That we will return to how things were before the war,” she says and adds: “The war still continues, and everything can happen any day. But we need to live and go on. My child is growing up and she needs to socialize, so we need to restore. We cannot wait for the war to be over.”
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Press Release
08 May 2026
FAO and UNOPS launch programme to support farmers in Khersonska oblast
Kyiv, 8 May 2026 - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, has launched a new call for applications in the State Agrarian Registry (SAR) to support small-scale agricultural producers in Khersonska oblast. The initiative is being implemented with financial support from the Ukraine Community Recovery Fund (UCRF) and aims to restore agricultural land and help revive farming activities affected by the war.The SAR call is open to farmers from Borozenska, Kalynivska, Velykooleksandrivska and Vysokopilska communities whose land has been impacted by hostilities since February 2022 and further affected by drought. Eligible applicants include agricultural producers cultivating between 3 and 300 hectares of land, with plots located at a safe distance from the frontline.Applicants are required to be registered in the SAR, provide cadastral numbers for plots requiring survey, clearance or restoration, and complete a needs assessment questionnaire. Beneficiary selection will be based on programme criteria, including the share of land left uncultivated due to the impact of hostilities, changes in the number of farm workers since February 2022, the level of contamination and damage caused by explosive ordnance, the significance of the soils, the plot’s connection to a watershed area, and the impact of drought on yields, crop losses or cultivated areas.Selected farmers will receive cash assistance and vouchers to purchase essential agricultural inputs, including drought-adapted seeds, drip irrigation kits and other materials needed to restart production, complemented by agronomic guidance and support in applying for the State compensation programme for humanitarian demining.Applications can be submitted through the State Agrarian Registry from 8 May to 1 June 2026.The initiative forms part of a broader USD 2.6 million joint project by FAO and UNOPS, funded through the Ukraine Community Recovery Fund, to help farming communities in Khersonska oblast safely return to agricultural production.Useful materials:
• Instructions for registration in the SAR
• Instructions on how to log in to the SAR and edit your personal dataContact Information:SAR contact center: +38 044 339 9215; support@dar.gov.uaFAO hotline: +38 099 090 7582; +38 068 318 0943; UA-Feedback@fao.org
• Instructions for registration in the SAR
• Instructions on how to log in to the SAR and edit your personal dataContact Information:SAR contact center: +38 044 339 9215; support@dar.gov.uaFAO hotline: +38 099 090 7582; +38 068 318 0943; UA-Feedback@fao.org
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Press Release
08 May 2026
Step by step: coordinated evacuations provide a lifeline for sick and injured Ukrainians
MEDEVAC is a complex, multi-layered medical evacuation system, designed in response to the full-scale war in Ukraine. Medical evacuation is not only about transportation. It is about sustaining life through a system that works seamlessly across multiple levels. Every step in the process, and every individual, plays a critical role. Coordination and trust are essential.A critical mechanismThe first step of the MEDEVAC process is to submit requests via the Emergency Response Coordination Centre. A team of 32 professionals within Ukraine’s Ministry of Health work on compiling lists of those who require treatment or rehabilitation not available in Ukraine due to the war. Partner countries from the European Union and European Economic Area then determine their capacity to receive patients and the types of care they can provide. When a patient is stable enough to be moved from the hospital in Ukraine where they are receiving treatment, Regional Emergency Medical Services (under the oversight of the Ministry of Health) work together to support their evacuation to the MEDEVAC hub in Lviv, from where they are transported out of Ukraine on a medical bus to hospitals in which they can access care abroad under temporary protection mechanisms. As of early 2026, Ukrainian patients have been evacuated through MEDEVAC to receive free care in health facilities across 33 countries.Throughout the process, WHO provides technical and expert assistance, and the European Union delivers financial and operational support.Part of a seamless system“Our hospital receives patients from frontline and nearby regions, with complex medical conditions requiring long-term rehabilitation and specialized care,” explains Oleksandr Tolubaiev, Medical Director of the I.I. Mechnikov Hospital. “We play a key role in identifying these patients and compiling lists for medical evacuation. Strong coordination and close collaboration between health-care facilities and partners is important to ensure patients receive the care they need in a timely and effective manner.”On the other side of the country, Yuliia Koshtovska, an emergency medicine physician, works on the medical evacuation team of the Lviv Regional Emergency Medical Service.“I have been involved in medical evacuations since my very first month working here. On average, I take part in an evacuation once a month. The one that stays with me most is the very first one; it involved patients with severe burn injuries. Our patients give us strength and motivation. Seeing what they have been through and the condition they are in, yet how they continue to believe, remain strong and keep fighting, is incredibly powerful,” Yuliia says. Coordination, resilience and responsibilityYarema Kachmar is Deputy Director of Lviv’s Regional Emergency Medical Services, responsible for the large teams of emergency medical personnel and coordinators actively engaged in the final steps of MEDEVAC on the Ukrainian side of the border. She describes the challenges of working with patients with complex medical needs.“Long transport times, often many hours, increase the risk of complications and require stabilizing patients over long distances, including managing intensive care. Patients are often unstable and require constant monitoring and medical interventions on route. Diagnostic and intensive care capabilities during transport are limited compared to hospital settings. At the same time, teams must support critically ill patients, providing ventilation, infusion therapy and pain management without access to in-patient care. International medical evacuation combines medicine, logistics and crisis management, requiring emergency medical teams to demonstrate not only clinical expertise, but also a high level of coordination, resilience and responsibility,” Yarema explains.Teamwork remains a key source of strength built on mutual trust, strong peer support and clear coordination between dispatchers, Regional Emergency Medical Services teams and health-care facilities. Communication with patients and their families is equally important, notes Yarema. “Medical evacuation is an integral part of the continuum of care. Recognizing our role as a critical link between rescue and recovery keeps us moving forward. Even a message confirming successful treatment after evacuation can restore our inner resources and remind us why this work matters,” Yarema adds.
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Press Release
07 May 2026
UNIDO, UNDP, and Tagawa Shikkui Labs partner to support sustainable reconstruction solutions in Ukraine
7 May 2026 – The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and a Japanese sustainable construction materials company Tagawa Shikkui Labs Co. Ltd. have signed a Statement of Intent to collaborate on the deployment of innovative, low-carbon solutions for Ukraine’s reconstruction. At the core of this initiative is a focus on technology transfer, capacity development, and the application of circular economy principles in a post-conflict setting, under UNIDO’s “Green industrial recovery project for Ukraine through technology transfer from and the co-creation of new businesses with Japan’s private industries,” implemented within the framework of UNIDO green industrial recovery programme for Ukraine (2024-2028).The partnership will explore how low-carbon construction technologies developed by Tagawa Shikkui Lab can support sustainable reconstruction, reduce environmental impact, and contribute to local economic recovery. The company’s patented LIMIX technology can convert construction and demolition debris, such as concrete, brick, and mortar, into high-quality building materials, including tiles, without firing and without emitting carbon dioxide. By using locally available resources such as limestone in Ukraine, the technology enables the reuse of war-generated debris in sustainable reconstruction.“This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to innovation-driven recovery, environmental sustainability, and inclusive economic development in Ukraine,” said Yuko Yasunaga, UNIDO Deputy Director General.UNIDO will provide overall coordination as the lead project agency and grant provider. It will support feasibility assessments, facilitate engagement with partners and investors, and ensure alignment with international standards and national regulations. UNIDO will also support site visits, including safety and security arrangements, and contribute to training and outreach activities.Auke Lootsma, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, emphasized the organization’s commitment to working with international partners to transform the country’s current challenges into economic opportunities: “This initiative demonstrates the kind of innovation-driven partnerships needed to support Ukraine’s recovery at scale,” Lootsma said. “With extensive experience in debris management and recycling, as well as strong operational capacity and partnerships on the ground, UNDP is well-positioned to connect global innovators with Ukraine’s local needs. Together, these collaborations are able not only to accelerate the country’s recovery, but also to co-create shared value and drive innovation far beyond Ukraine.Under collaboration among UNIDO, UNDP, and Tagawa Shikkui Labs, UNDP in Ukraine will support field-level implementation by facilitating access to debris processing sites and assisting with sample collection and export procedures to Japan. It will also provide data and analysis on debris composition, support compliance with national regulations, including occupational safety and health, and contribute to training, public outreach, and capacity development.Tagawa Shikkui Labs is currently conducting a feasibility study in Ukraine to evaluate the technical, environmental, and commercial viability of producing carbon-neutral interior tiles from war debris in Ukraine using the LIMIX technology."We are honored to have the opportunity to work with UNIDO and UNDP to apply LIMIX technology toward Ukraine’s sustainable recovery. By helping transform war debris into low-carbon construction tiles, we aim to contribute to a circular economy and green industrial reconstruction," said Shimon Yukihira, President, Tagawa Shikkui Labs.There is also potential to develop an export industry from Ukraine targeting environmentally conscious markets in Europe and beyond.For more information about the current feasibility study, please visit here:
Eco-friendly tiles for sustainable reconstruction | UNIDO About UNIDO:UNIDO, as a specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability, serves its 173 Member States, aiming to support developing and emerging countries on a path towards inclusive and sustainable industrial development by creating shared prosperity, advancing economic competitiveness, safeguarding the environment and strengthening knowledge and institutions.The Government of Ukraine and UNIDO jointly developed and launched the UNIDO green industrial recovery programme for Ukraine (2024-2028), which serves as the overarching framework for UNIDO’s support to Ukraine’s industrial recovery. Under this programme, UNIDO promotes a strategic and integrated approach to rebuilding industry, focusing on creating opportunities for people, fostering a green economy, supporting businesses and attracting investment.About UNDP:United Nations Development Programme works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to reduce poverty, tackle inequalities, and build resilience for sustainable progress. As the UN’s development agency, it supports countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.In Ukraine, UNDP focuses on sustainable recovery and long-term development while addressing the urgent challenges caused by the ongoing war. Its debris management initiatives have already helped remove and sort over 1 million tonnes of debris — enabling safe reconstruction and the return of communities.About Tagawa Shikkui Labs:Tagawa Shikkui Labs has developed LIMIX technology, a patented, low-carbon, non-fired lime-based process that could convert construction and demolition debris into high-performance tiles and building materials, supporting circular economy principles and low-carbon reconstruction.For further information, please contact:Irma Juskenaite-Asmus, UNIDO Communications Expert, i.juskenaite@unido.orgMizuho Yokoi, UNDP Programme Manager, mizuho.yokoi@undp.orgBenji Cheng, Manager, Overseas Business Section, yunchi@shirokabe.co.jp
Eco-friendly tiles for sustainable reconstruction | UNIDO About UNIDO:UNIDO, as a specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability, serves its 173 Member States, aiming to support developing and emerging countries on a path towards inclusive and sustainable industrial development by creating shared prosperity, advancing economic competitiveness, safeguarding the environment and strengthening knowledge and institutions.The Government of Ukraine and UNIDO jointly developed and launched the UNIDO green industrial recovery programme for Ukraine (2024-2028), which serves as the overarching framework for UNIDO’s support to Ukraine’s industrial recovery. Under this programme, UNIDO promotes a strategic and integrated approach to rebuilding industry, focusing on creating opportunities for people, fostering a green economy, supporting businesses and attracting investment.About UNDP:United Nations Development Programme works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to reduce poverty, tackle inequalities, and build resilience for sustainable progress. As the UN’s development agency, it supports countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.In Ukraine, UNDP focuses on sustainable recovery and long-term development while addressing the urgent challenges caused by the ongoing war. Its debris management initiatives have already helped remove and sort over 1 million tonnes of debris — enabling safe reconstruction and the return of communities.About Tagawa Shikkui Labs:Tagawa Shikkui Labs has developed LIMIX technology, a patented, low-carbon, non-fired lime-based process that could convert construction and demolition debris into high-performance tiles and building materials, supporting circular economy principles and low-carbon reconstruction.For further information, please contact:Irma Juskenaite-Asmus, UNIDO Communications Expert, i.juskenaite@unido.orgMizuho Yokoi, UNDP Programme Manager, mizuho.yokoi@undp.orgBenji Cheng, Manager, Overseas Business Section, yunchi@shirokabe.co.jp
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Press Release
05 May 2026
Digital risks: New report maps critical vulnerabilities in the world’s interconnected systems
Geneva, 05 May 2026 - Are we ready for solar storms, submarine cable cuts, satellite disruptions, and extreme weather to disrupt communication networks and potentially trigger a “digital pandemic"?A new report When digital systems fail: The hidden risks of our digital world outlines risk scenarios on Earth, at sea, and in space, analysing the fragility of interconnected digital systems and offering a roadmap for preparedness.Experts brought together by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), and Sciences Po, call for coordinated action between countries to improve digital resilience and protect essential services like healthcare, finance, and emergency response.“Resilience must be built into the DNA of the technologies we depend on," said Doreen Bogdan-Martin, ITU Secretary-General. “This report urges us to consider the systemic nature of risks and rethink how we protect the systems that connect and empower humanity."“As our societies become more reliant on digital technologies, disruptions caused by disasters can cascade across systems and borders, triggering far‑reaching and potentially catastrophic failures," said Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head of UNDRR. “We must plan, build and maintain digital infrastructure with systemic risk in mind - now and for the future. Digital infrastructure must be resilient infrastructure".The risks of digital dependencyDigital technologies have revolutionized how we live, connect, and work, yet our growing reliance on these systems has created risks that often go unnoticed.A severe solar storm could disable satellites, disrupt navigation systems, and destabilize energy grids, with recovery times measured in months. Extreme temperatures could overwhelm data centers, leading to mobile service outages, as well as failures in healthcare systems and financial transactions. In the meantime, earthquakes or other natural hazards can sever vital Internet connections, slowing business operations and leaving entire nations offline for weeks.Any specific scenario may seem isolated and unlikely, not alarming enough to prompt a timely global response. Yet digital vulnerabilities are real, and unexpected incidents are bound to happen.The report highlights another vulnerability: societies have grown dependent on digital systems without maintaining analogue skills and ensuring adequate fallback options. When big systems fail, offline alternatives are not always available anymore.“Facing systemic risks means looking beyond data and working across disciplines," said Arancha González, Dean of the Paris School of International Affairs at Sciences Po. “This report shows how evidence-based policymaking can help us build resilience in an increasingly interconnected world."Turning knowledge into actionThe report calls on policymakers, the private sector, and civil society to act now to prevent these risks from becoming a “digital pandemic", urging for global commitment and coordinated action.Authors suggest considering six priorities for safeguarding critical digital infrastructure:Deepen knowledge: Identify vulnerabilities, map cross-sector dependencies, develop models for potential chain reactions, and maintain analogue skills.Modernize risk management: Treat non‑intentional digital disruptions as a core risk by updating legal and disaster‑risk frameworks and incentives.Strengthen standards and planning: Establish robust fallback systems and conduct joint multi‑sector scenario planning.Improve coordination on critical risks: Proactively coordinate on high‑impact risks affecting space weather, submarine cables, satellites, and data centres.Build societal resilience: Equip communities and organizations to withstand and recover from digital disruptions by fostering adaptive capacities.Foster trust and collaboration: Build capacity, convene stakeholders, and promote shared awareness and accountability across sectors and borders.The findings are the result of a collaborative process involving experts from 12 countries, representing national authorities, the private sector, academia and international organizations.About ITU:The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations agency for digital technologies, driving innovation for people and the planet with 194 Member States and a membership of over 1,000 companies, universities, civil society, and international and regional organizations. Established in 1865, ITU coordinates the global use of the radio spectrum and satellite orbits, establishes international technology standards, drives universal connectivity and digital services, and is helping to make sure everyone benefits from sustainable digital transformation, including the most remote communities. From artificial intelligence (AI) to quantum, from satellites and submarine cables to advanced mobile and wireless broadband networks, ITU is committed to connecting the world and beyond. Learn more: www.itu.int About UNDRR:The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the lead agency in the United Nations on disaster risk reduction. It provides leadership, expertise and tools to enable countries to understand and act on disaster risks before they become disasters. UNDRR's work is guided by the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, which aims to achieve a substantial reduction in disaster risk and losses by 2030.About Sciences Po Paris School of International Affairs:The Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA) at Sciences Po is a leading global school of international affairs, dedicated to training future leaders to understand and shape complex global challenges. With a diverse community of students from over 110 nationalities and programmes combining academic excellence with practical experience, PSIA equips graduates for careers across diplomacy, government, international organizations, and the private sector. Within PSIA, the Technology and Global Affairs Innovation Hub serves as a platform to advance interdisciplinary collaboration at the intersection of technology and global affairs. The Hub accelerates innovative projects and fosters dialogue among policymakers, industry, academia, and civil society to address major global challenges—ranging from democracy and security to economic development—while promoting responsible and inclusive governance of emerging technologies. Media Contacts:Aurore Bourdin, Media Relations Officer, International Telecommunication Union, Press line: +41 22 730 5192, E-mail: pressinfo@itu.int
Omar Amach, Public Information Officer, UNDRR, E-mail: undrrcomms@un.org
Constance Bommelaer de Leusse, Technology and Global Affairs Innovation Hub, Sciences Po Paris School of International Affairs, Phone: +33 6 62 17 31 86, Email: constance.deleusse@sciencespo.fr
Omar Amach, Public Information Officer, UNDRR, E-mail: undrrcomms@un.org
Constance Bommelaer de Leusse, Technology and Global Affairs Innovation Hub, Sciences Po Paris School of International Affairs, Phone: +33 6 62 17 31 86, Email: constance.deleusse@sciencespo.fr
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Press Release
30 April 2026
Work commences at Vasylkiv college site under Korean-funded project managed by UNOPS
In Vasylkiv, Kyiv region, physical work has started at the site of the local professional college, which is being rebuilt by UNOPS with funding from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).To mark the occasion, an event took place, with the participation of Ukraine’s Minister of Education, Oksen Lisovyi, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Ukraine, H.E. Park Ki-chang, as well as regional and local officials.The college’s original building was destroyed in a missile strike in February 2022. UNOPS and KOICA partnered to build a new four-storey facility to replace the original structure.“Vocational training plays a key role in the country’s recovery, as it is here that experts are trained for critical industries. I thank the Republic of Korea and our international partners for supporting this work. For the first time in 30 years, Ukraine is implementing a systemic reform of vocational training and investing in its revitalisation. Work is underway to modernise around 200 vocational training schools, another 100 colleges are being selected for renovation in 2026. Partner support is crucial for this process, allowing for the change to be broader and systemic,” noted Oksen Lisovyi, Minister of Education of Ukraine.A contractor managed by UNOPS is now undertaking enabling work, the first step towards the college’s recovery. This involves moving underground services, including heating, water supply, and sewage pipes, as well as organising the site. This package of work will prepare the location for the main construction effort, planned for 2027. The project aligns with the Ukrainian National Recovery Plan and the National Economic Strategy 2030, emphasizing vocational training as a key component of economic recovery.“The construction of the new vocational training building at Vasylkiv Vocational College symbolizes the enduring friendship and solidarity between Korea and Ukraine. Drawing on its own experience of post-war reconstruction, Korea believes that skilled workers are essential for rebuilding and developing an economy, and remains committed to supporting the development of Ukraine’s future workforce,” stated Park Ki-chang, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Ukraine.
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