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Press Release
18 December 2024
‘We must not normalise the war in Ukraine,’ warns country coordinator.
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Story
16 December 2024
Women in Ukraine persevere amid blackouts after attacks on power infrastructure
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Speech
16 December 2024
Briefing to the Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine by Lisa Doughten, Director, Financing and Partnerships Division for OCHA, on behalf of Tom Fletcher,Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator
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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:
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22 November 2024
16 DAYS AGAINST VIOLENCE: THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW
Every year, on November 25, the global campaign “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” begins. Its goal is to draw attention to the issue and call for action to eliminate all forms of gender-based violence.
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Press Release
04 December 2024
‘In a world on fire, we must reset our relationship with people in crises’
(Geneva, 4 December 2024) An estimated 305 million people around the world will require humanitarian assistance in the coming year, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said today, launching the Global Humanitarian Overview (GHO) for 2025.The appeal seeks $47 billion to provide life-saving aid in 32 countries and nine refugee-hosting regions.“In a world on fire, the most vulnerable – children, women, people with disabilities and the poor – are paying the heaviest price,” said Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.“We must reset the world’s relationship with people in direst need,” Mr. Fletcher urged. “Their voices and agency must be at the heart of our response. We need a new level of global solidarity to fully fund these appeals, and bold political action to uphold international law. The humanitarian community is ready to deliver – for the war-weary survivor, the displaced family, the hungry child. We must make and win afresh the argument for humanity.”Armed conflicts are intensifying in frequency and brutality, forcing nearly 123 million people to flee their homes. Climate-induced disasters are ravaging communities, devastating food systems and driving mass displacement. Meanwhile, older crises remain unresolved, with the average humanitarian appeal now spanning a decade.The GHO for 2025 outlines carefully prioritized response plans, uniting over 1,500 humanitarian partners to provide critical assistance to 190 million people. Despite donors’ longstanding generosity, funding shortfalls persist. By November 2024, only 43 per cent of the $50 billion appeal for that year had been met.The consequences of underfunding are stark. 2024 saw an 80 per cent reduction in food assistance in Syria; cuts to protection services in Myanmar; diminished water and sanitation aid in cholera-prone Yemen; and escalating hunger in Chad.However, the single most important barrier for assisting and protecting people in armed conflicts is widespread violation of international humanitarian law. 2024 is already the deadliest year for humanitarian workers, surpassing last year’s death toll of 280. The vast majority of casualties are national aid workers.Yet, despite these challenges, humanitarian agencies reached nearly 116 million people in 2024, delivering vital food, shelter, healthcare, education and protection services.For further information, please contact:Jens Laerke (Geneva): +41 79 472 9750, laerke@un.orgEri Kaneko (New York): +1 917 208 8910, kaneko@un.org
Note for editors:Remarks on Ukraine from UN Emergency Relief CoordinatorGeneva, 4 December 2024During the launch of the Global Humanitarian Overview 2025, Mr. Tom Fletcher, the newly appointed Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, addressed critical humanitarian needs worldwide, including in Ukraine.While outlining the scale of global humanitarian challenges, Fletcher identified Ukraine as one of the 14 crises requiring over $1 billion in aid in 2025. "Ukraine, DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo], Yemen, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Chad, Somalia, Venezuela, and Myanmar" require support alongside other critical emergencies.Reflecting on the disregard for international humanitarian law, Fletcher said, "It’s not just the ferocity of these conflicts—Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Syria—it’s about the wilful neglect of international humanitarian law." He noted the erosion of global norms and structures designed to protect civilians, saying, "That scaffolding is shaky at the moment."Tom Fletcher pointed out operational difficulties faced by humanitarian actors, saying, "We reckon 123 million people have been displaced forcibly by conflict. And among that group, violations against children are also at record levels." Parts of Ukraine, like other conflict zones, face significant obstacles in ensuring people in need can access aid.The ERC announced plans to visit Ukraine in early 2025 as part of his efforts to advocate for increased support and assess the situation first-hand "In the new year, I will be visiting Ukraine early on—it’s very high on the list."As he outlined the humanitarian system’s broader goals, he stressed the importance of renewed solidarity from traditional and emerging donors: "We’ve got to show them that responding to these crises in a practical, resourced way is the most effective way to deal with these crises."
Note for editors:Remarks on Ukraine from UN Emergency Relief CoordinatorGeneva, 4 December 2024During the launch of the Global Humanitarian Overview 2025, Mr. Tom Fletcher, the newly appointed Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, addressed critical humanitarian needs worldwide, including in Ukraine.While outlining the scale of global humanitarian challenges, Fletcher identified Ukraine as one of the 14 crises requiring over $1 billion in aid in 2025. "Ukraine, DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo], Yemen, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Chad, Somalia, Venezuela, and Myanmar" require support alongside other critical emergencies.Reflecting on the disregard for international humanitarian law, Fletcher said, "It’s not just the ferocity of these conflicts—Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Syria—it’s about the wilful neglect of international humanitarian law." He noted the erosion of global norms and structures designed to protect civilians, saying, "That scaffolding is shaky at the moment."Tom Fletcher pointed out operational difficulties faced by humanitarian actors, saying, "We reckon 123 million people have been displaced forcibly by conflict. And among that group, violations against children are also at record levels." Parts of Ukraine, like other conflict zones, face significant obstacles in ensuring people in need can access aid.The ERC announced plans to visit Ukraine in early 2025 as part of his efforts to advocate for increased support and assess the situation first-hand "In the new year, I will be visiting Ukraine early on—it’s very high on the list."As he outlined the humanitarian system’s broader goals, he stressed the importance of renewed solidarity from traditional and emerging donors: "We’ve got to show them that responding to these crises in a practical, resourced way is the most effective way to deal with these crises."
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Publication
11 December 2024
Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict — November 2024
At least 165 civilians were killed and 887 injured in Ukraine in November. Eight of the killed and 57 of the injured were children. While the November casualty number was lower than in October, it was significantly higher than in November 2023 (113 killed; 363 injured).The vast majority of civilian casualties (93 per cent) and damage to educational and health facilities (97.5 per cent) occurred in territory controlled by Ukraine.42 per cent of the casualties (65 killed; 372 injured) resulted from the use of long-range weapons (missiles and loitering munitions) launched by Russian armed forces, a significant increase from previous months. Civilian casualties from missiles and loitering munitions were recorded in 11 regions of Ukraine.Russian armed forces resumed large-scale, coordinated attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. The most recent attack before November occurred in August. Two attacks in November damaged 24 electricity generation and distribution facilities in 13 regions, including facilities involved in the conversion and transmission of electricity from nuclear power plants, resulting in emergency power outages in many regions and the resumption of daily scheduled power outages across the country.Around 57 per cent of casualties in November occurred near the frontline, mostly from aerial bombardments, artillery shelling, MLRS strikes and short-range drone attacks, with the highest numbers in Kherson and Donetsk regions. In Kherson region, attacks with short-range unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) killed and injured civilians on a near-daily basis, accounting for nearly half of the civilian casualties in the region in November.
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Publication
28 August 2024
Ukraine Recovery Snapshot, June – July 2024
In June-July 2024, the UN in Ukraine was active in restoring civilian infrastructure – water supply, residential buildings, and educational facilities. Multiple mine action initiatives have been launched, including innovative AI technologies for explosive remnants of war detection in the Kharkiv region. The UN agencies conducted various workshops and training sessions for the community representatives, students, and medical professionals to equip them with knowledge and skills to face the immediate challenges of war and work towards sustainable recovery where possible. A new nearly $5 million project under the Community Recovery Fund was launched in the Mykolaiv and Kherson regions to implement an integrated approach to community recovery. This includes debris removal, civilian infrastructure and residential building rehabilitation, as well as legal and social assistance to people affected by the war. Download the document for more details.
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Publication
15 April 2024
Annual Recovery Results Report 2023 - United Nations in Ukraine
- Foreword by the Resident Coordinator - In the third year of the full-scale Russia’s invasion, the
scourge of war is still bringing untold suffering and sorrow
to the people of Ukraine. The invasion, launched in violation
of the UN Charter and international law, has left thousands
of civilians killed and injured, caused massive destruction of
infrastructure, including hundreds of thousands of homes,
hospitals and schools, and deeply traumatized people regardless
of proximity to the front line. The war has shattered
the Ukrainian economy; rolling back development gains
made over the past years and plunging nearly 25 per cent
of people into poverty.The people of Ukraine are taking upon themselves the
monumental task to recover from the devastation caused
by the invasion. With remarkable and inspiring determination,
and no matter if they are close to the front line or in
communities where they have found safety and security,
Ukrainians are supporting one another to ensure their
communities are functioning, small shops are running,
schools are repaired and rebuilt with shelters so children
can attend in-person, hospitals and clinics reconstructed,
roads and bridges repaired and agricultural land and critical
and social infrastructure demined.The UN, the humanitarian community and our development
partners continue to work non-stop to ensure people enduring
the horrors of the war receive the support they need to
address their most immediate needs and also create the
conditions for their recovery. In 2023, more than 11 million
people received life-saving humanitarian assistance. This
achievement was made possible thanks to the efforts
of over 500 organizations – nearly 70 per cent of them
Ukrainian NGOs - our close collaboration with the authorities,
and the timely support of our donors.We have also scaled up our efforts to support recovery, with
more and more activities that provide people with durable
solutions and ensure they can get back on their feet. The UN
made significant contributions to Ukraine’s journey towards
a prosperous future: supporting strong data collection and
analysis to inform recovery priorities – including the third
Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) and the
Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) of the Kakhovka
Dam’s destruction; creating platforms to engage communities
in the decision-making and forums to bring together
Government, donors and civil society; supporting small
businesses; repairing vital infrastructure; and contributing
to demining efforts and beyond.The UN –our 3,000 employees and 24 agencies – is determined
to continue supporting the Government’s recovery
priorities with investments in Ukraine’s communities, human
capital and national systems, and ensure recovery takes
into consideration the specific needs of women, people
with disabilities and marginalized groups.
Despite the progress, these efforts are not enough to stop
the suffering and devastating consequences of Russia’s
invasion of Ukraine. The world – and the international
community – cannot accept war as the new reality. Living
under constant bombardment, constant fear, is not normal.
For this reason, war as a state of existence for people in
Ukraine, must not be normalized. Every effort must continue
towards a just peace in line with the UN Charter.
Denise Brown
Resident Coordinator
United Nations in Ukraine
scourge of war is still bringing untold suffering and sorrow
to the people of Ukraine. The invasion, launched in violation
of the UN Charter and international law, has left thousands
of civilians killed and injured, caused massive destruction of
infrastructure, including hundreds of thousands of homes,
hospitals and schools, and deeply traumatized people regardless
of proximity to the front line. The war has shattered
the Ukrainian economy; rolling back development gains
made over the past years and plunging nearly 25 per cent
of people into poverty.The people of Ukraine are taking upon themselves the
monumental task to recover from the devastation caused
by the invasion. With remarkable and inspiring determination,
and no matter if they are close to the front line or in
communities where they have found safety and security,
Ukrainians are supporting one another to ensure their
communities are functioning, small shops are running,
schools are repaired and rebuilt with shelters so children
can attend in-person, hospitals and clinics reconstructed,
roads and bridges repaired and agricultural land and critical
and social infrastructure demined.The UN, the humanitarian community and our development
partners continue to work non-stop to ensure people enduring
the horrors of the war receive the support they need to
address their most immediate needs and also create the
conditions for their recovery. In 2023, more than 11 million
people received life-saving humanitarian assistance. This
achievement was made possible thanks to the efforts
of over 500 organizations – nearly 70 per cent of them
Ukrainian NGOs - our close collaboration with the authorities,
and the timely support of our donors.We have also scaled up our efforts to support recovery, with
more and more activities that provide people with durable
solutions and ensure they can get back on their feet. The UN
made significant contributions to Ukraine’s journey towards
a prosperous future: supporting strong data collection and
analysis to inform recovery priorities – including the third
Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) and the
Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) of the Kakhovka
Dam’s destruction; creating platforms to engage communities
in the decision-making and forums to bring together
Government, donors and civil society; supporting small
businesses; repairing vital infrastructure; and contributing
to demining efforts and beyond.The UN –our 3,000 employees and 24 agencies – is determined
to continue supporting the Government’s recovery
priorities with investments in Ukraine’s communities, human
capital and national systems, and ensure recovery takes
into consideration the specific needs of women, people
with disabilities and marginalized groups.
Despite the progress, these efforts are not enough to stop
the suffering and devastating consequences of Russia’s
invasion of Ukraine. The world – and the international
community – cannot accept war as the new reality. Living
under constant bombardment, constant fear, is not normal.
For this reason, war as a state of existence for people in
Ukraine, must not be normalized. Every effort must continue
towards a just peace in line with the UN Charter.
Denise Brown
Resident Coordinator
United Nations in Ukraine
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Story
18 December 2024
Women in Ukraine persevere amid blackouts after attacks on power infrastructure
Fishchuk runs a small bakery and café in Ivano-Frankivsk, a city in western Ukraine, where she employs women who have been displaced by Russia’s full-scale invasion. But ongoing attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure have made it increasingly challenging for Fishchuk to keep her business operational and her employees paid.“Blackouts also create moral pressure,” she said, describing how her generators are not capable of running the bakery’s ovens during extended power outages—and how she therefore has difficulty paying her staff, who rely on their work for their basic living needs.“Every winter is a matter of survival for the business and the employees you hire,” said Fishchuk, who also heads the Road of Taste of Prykarpattia, a network of local restaurants and food producers. Since the full-scale war began in 2022, Russian forces have repeatedly attacked Ukrainian power plants and other energy infrastructure.President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on 29 November 2024 that there had been at least 1,120 attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure since 2022. This year, nine waves of attacks in just more than five months—from 22 March to 31 August 2024—damaged or destroyed power generation, transmission, and distribution facilities, according to a report by the UN Human Rights Office.The attacks on power infrastructure impact all Ukrainians, especially as the winter arrives—when cold weather and shorter daylight hours mean that demand for electricity increases by 20 to 25 per cent. These attacks have specific consequences for women and girls.“Power outages affect the ability of women to work and support their families,” said Liliia Kislitsyna, President of SMARTA, a women’s rights group based in the Donetsk Region, on the frontlines of the war.Kislitsyna, who also works as a coordinator for Coalition1325, a network of organizations in Donetsk seeking to protect women in the war, also noted that many displaced women work for small businesses that are forced to close or restrict their working hours due to blackouts. “The further one goes into remote towns and villages, the worse the electricity situation becomes,” she said. “As a result, women often work fewer hours and do not receive full wages.”Even when businesses have generators, the costs of running them can be prohibitive, as noted by Sofia Burtak, president of the Rural Women Business Network, an organization that provides aid to women farmers and women-owned agricultural businesses. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2014, the network has also supported internally displaced women and helped women-owned businesses develop strategies for dealing with power cuts.“Blackouts significantly increase production costs,” she said. “The cost of one kilowatt of energy produced by a generator is 20 Ukrainian hryvnia higher than the cost of one kilowatt from the central grid. Even with an alternative power source, the impact on costs, pricing, and production is substantial.” In a 2024 survey of 800 women-owned rural businesses, Burtak said that the Rural Women Business Network found only 35 per cent of respondents said they had backup power sources capable of maintaining their operations.“As a result, the risk of power loss translates into an income loss for the entire family,” she said.UN Women works closely with women's rights organizations in Ukraine, including SMARTA and the Rural Women Business Network. With the support of the United Nations Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund, UN Women has been able to provide over USD 20 million in grants to 54 women-led organizations since the start of the large-scale invasion by the Russian Federation in February 2022, such as institutional grants to organizations in need, including for items such as generators.The power cuts are also felt by women who work within the home. Electricity cuts have a major impact on food preparation and storage, and women—who already shoulder disproportionate care burdens—are forced to spend more time on domestic tasks and are therefore less likely to participate in the labour force.A lack of electricity “affects basic needs, such as cooking food and going in and out of the apartment, especially when you live on the upper floors of a high-rise building. Having to climb up and down several times a day is a real challenge,” said Nataliia Chermoshentseva, a gender expert and activist who coordinates volunteer efforts with the Dignity organization, which works to help communities formerly occupied by Russian forces. She described how many tasks disproportionately done by women—such as cooking, purchasing supplies and groceries, and cleaning—are dependent on electricity. Schools operate fully remote due to the war in many places around the country, and children cannot attend classes without power and internet.“Ukraine ranks among the top countries in digitalization, and we have many electronic services, including those related to social welfare, work, and education,” Chermoshentseva said. “Many of our survival strategies — such as receiving alarm notifications through mobile apps, deciding when to move to shelters, monitoring the situation, etcetera — depend directly on internet access.”“When we talk about the various impacts of the war, there is a specific gender group— women—who are affected much more,” Chermoshentseva said. “Power outages are not a gender-neutral problem.”
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Story
03 December 2024
“Cash support came as a lifeline in the hardest of times”
Every day brings fear and uncertainty to the people of Ukraine, especially those residing in cities, where attacks have intensified. For the residents of Sumy, in north-eastern Ukraine, this reality is all too familiar. The region continues to endure frequent strikes, causing significant destruction, loss of life and injuries. In this context, humanitarian needs have exacerbated, leaving communities in urgent need of protection and essential services.November 17 was an uneventful Sunday, until a strike hit a densely populated residential area in the city. People were killed and injured, also many homes suffered extensive damage, and forced families to leave their apartments.
"The strike came so fast, with such a roar and bang," says Lyudmyla, a retired woman living alone in an apartment in one of the affected residential buildings. "I jumped out of my bed. I grabbed my documents and ran to a safe place. I’ve never been so scared in my entire life."
The explosion severely damaged Lyudmyla’s apartment. The blast wave bent her front door, and her balcony was partially destroyed.
"I felt cold air coming into my apartment through the damaged door. I’m just grateful the balcony glass didn’t shatter on me," she says. Lyudmyla believes her cat saved her life. "He went out to the balcony just before the blast, and the open door might have absorbed some of the impact."Living alone on a small pension allowance, she felt overwhelmed by the challenge of repairing her damaged apartment and staying warm as winter temperatures began to drop—all while having to buy medicines, hygiene items and food.
Immediate humanitarian response after the attack
In the wake of the attack, humanitarian organizations quickly mobilized to support the affected people. They provided food and water, immediate temporary window insulation, and psychological and legal assistance, helping residents like Lyudmyla navigate the immediate aftermath.
To help those affected cope with the hardships following the attack, several humanitarian organizations began registering the affected people for multi-purpose cash assistance (MPCA). The humanitarian response was meant to support people who had lost their apartments and meet their basic needs such as food, medicines, clothing and other necessities. Eligible families received financial support amounting to 10,800 UAH (around US$250) per person over three months to cover essential expenses during this challenging time.
When Lyudmyla learned about the programme from her neighbours, she instantly reached out to the humanitarians. She was among the first to apply for emergency assistance. Aid workers registered vulnerable people like Lyudmyla, including people with disabilities, older people and others facing severe hardship. In Sumy City, three NGOs registered over 1000 applications after the attack that damaged Lyudmyla’s apartment.
“Our specialists tirelessly provided consultations on emergency aid,” says Olha Koreneva, Regional Program Coordinator at Right to Protection NGO. “Many were too shaken to seek help right away, but we made sure support was available when they were ready.”
Millions of war-affected people have received multi-purpose cash support in Ukraine since 2022Across Ukraine, over 100 humanitarian organizations are working to provide war-affected people with multi-purpose cash assistance. Since the war escalated in 2022, over 10.5 million people have been supported with a total amount of US$2.1 billion. Between 2022 and 2024, Ukraine's humanitarian response has heavily relied on MPCA to support those affected by the war. At the onset of the escalation of the war, multi-purpose cash was the most preferred and efficient modality of aid. In 2022 alone, nearly 6 million people were supported with MPSA assistance and over 4 million people in 2023, which constituted almost 40 per cent of the total humanitarian assistance at the time. An inter-agency Cash Working Group (CWG) in Ukraine has been instrumental in coordinating these efforts and developing guidelines and standard operating procedures to harmonize MPCA delivery across various regions, avoiding duplication and ensuring that the most vulnerable people receive aid. Today, MPCA remains a vital component of Ukraine's humanitarian response, providing flexible support that enables recipients to address their diverse needs amid the crisis.Meanwhile, Lyudmyla is preparing to return home: “During the first several days, I couldn’t bring myself to go back—it was too painful to face the destruction. I stayed with friends,” Lyudmyla shares. “But the support I’ve received from aid organizations and friends gives me hope to restore a sense of normalcy and eventually return home.”
"The strike came so fast, with such a roar and bang," says Lyudmyla, a retired woman living alone in an apartment in one of the affected residential buildings. "I jumped out of my bed. I grabbed my documents and ran to a safe place. I’ve never been so scared in my entire life."
The explosion severely damaged Lyudmyla’s apartment. The blast wave bent her front door, and her balcony was partially destroyed.
"I felt cold air coming into my apartment through the damaged door. I’m just grateful the balcony glass didn’t shatter on me," she says. Lyudmyla believes her cat saved her life. "He went out to the balcony just before the blast, and the open door might have absorbed some of the impact."Living alone on a small pension allowance, she felt overwhelmed by the challenge of repairing her damaged apartment and staying warm as winter temperatures began to drop—all while having to buy medicines, hygiene items and food.
Immediate humanitarian response after the attack
In the wake of the attack, humanitarian organizations quickly mobilized to support the affected people. They provided food and water, immediate temporary window insulation, and psychological and legal assistance, helping residents like Lyudmyla navigate the immediate aftermath.
To help those affected cope with the hardships following the attack, several humanitarian organizations began registering the affected people for multi-purpose cash assistance (MPCA). The humanitarian response was meant to support people who had lost their apartments and meet their basic needs such as food, medicines, clothing and other necessities. Eligible families received financial support amounting to 10,800 UAH (around US$250) per person over three months to cover essential expenses during this challenging time.
When Lyudmyla learned about the programme from her neighbours, she instantly reached out to the humanitarians. She was among the first to apply for emergency assistance. Aid workers registered vulnerable people like Lyudmyla, including people with disabilities, older people and others facing severe hardship. In Sumy City, three NGOs registered over 1000 applications after the attack that damaged Lyudmyla’s apartment.
“Our specialists tirelessly provided consultations on emergency aid,” says Olha Koreneva, Regional Program Coordinator at Right to Protection NGO. “Many were too shaken to seek help right away, but we made sure support was available when they were ready.”
Millions of war-affected people have received multi-purpose cash support in Ukraine since 2022Across Ukraine, over 100 humanitarian organizations are working to provide war-affected people with multi-purpose cash assistance. Since the war escalated in 2022, over 10.5 million people have been supported with a total amount of US$2.1 billion. Between 2022 and 2024, Ukraine's humanitarian response has heavily relied on MPCA to support those affected by the war. At the onset of the escalation of the war, multi-purpose cash was the most preferred and efficient modality of aid. In 2022 alone, nearly 6 million people were supported with MPSA assistance and over 4 million people in 2023, which constituted almost 40 per cent of the total humanitarian assistance at the time. An inter-agency Cash Working Group (CWG) in Ukraine has been instrumental in coordinating these efforts and developing guidelines and standard operating procedures to harmonize MPCA delivery across various regions, avoiding duplication and ensuring that the most vulnerable people receive aid. Today, MPCA remains a vital component of Ukraine's humanitarian response, providing flexible support that enables recipients to address their diverse needs amid the crisis.Meanwhile, Lyudmyla is preparing to return home: “During the first several days, I couldn’t bring myself to go back—it was too painful to face the destruction. I stayed with friends,” Lyudmyla shares. “But the support I’ve received from aid organizations and friends gives me hope to restore a sense of normalcy and eventually return home.”
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Story
19 November 2024
1,000 days of full-scale war in Ukraine: A call for sustained humanitarian aid amid escalating attacks
At the site of the recent attack in Dnipro City, in the east of Ukraine, Anastasiia, a mother of two, stands beside the ruins of a residential building, a haunting reminder of her loss.. Three of her neighbours lost their lives that day. The explosion’s blast damaged multiple homes, including her apartment. Anastasiia expresses her deep concern for her children’s safety. With winter rapidly approaching, she worries about keeping her family warm amidst relentless hostilities that disrupt basic services and affect daily lives.“Every day of the past 1,000 days has been a struggle to protect my children,” Anastasiia says. “I simply want them to feel safe and warm and have a place to call home.” As the full-scale war marks 1,000 days, hostilities across Ukraine continue to escalate, exacerbating humanitarian needs. Civilian infrastructure has been severely impacted, with those living in damaged or destroyed homes facing growing risks as temperatures plummet.The Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, who arrived in Ukraine 100 days ago, regularly visits front-line regions and communities. Most recently, in Dnipro, Nikopol, and Zaporizhzhia, he once again witnessed firsthand the stark realities faced by people affected by the war. Amidst the rubble of residential buildings and the despair of those who have lost their homes, Schmale called for continued support of the people of Ukraine: “We must not normalize the war in Ukraine. We must continue to support this country to the best of our abilities.Unrelenting strain on lives and civilian infrastructure Since the escalation of hostilities on 24 February 2022, the people of Ukraine have endured immense hardships. Between February 2022 and September 2024, at least 12,000 civilians have lost their lives, and nearly 26,000 have been injured, including many children, according to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU).Relentless attacks have caused extensive damage to homes, hospitals, schools, and critical civilian infrastructure, including energy and water systems, hampering essential services across the country.In early November, a geriatric nursing home in Sumy city in the north of Ukraine was damaged by an attack on the city. Andrii Lohvyn, the Head of the Sumy branch of the Proliska Humanitarian Mission and his team immediately arrived at the site of the attack, carefully following safety protocols to mitigate the risk of a double-tap strike threatening local residents, rescue workers, and aid teams providing assistance to those affected."There were 221 older people in the centre, most of them with limited mobility. The local authorities needed to evacuate them, so we, together with state services and other organizations, organized the transportation," says Andrii. "Hospitals, schools, apartment buildings, and private homes here are frequently targeted, which has a devastating impact on those who need protection the most. This is unacceptable." Over 3,400 schools and hospitals, and 2 million homes in Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed. As winter approaches, with temperatures expected to drop to minus 20 degrees Celsius, many residents remain in homes with leaking roofs, broken windows, and damaged walls, struggling to stay warm and safe. This situation is particularly dire for front-line communities, where conditions are far from suitable for living due to hostilities, with winter bringing a new layer of hardship. Large-scale systematic strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have significantly reduced electricity capacity, leaving millions of people nationwide facing frequent power outages.Meeting urgent needs: A humanitarian perspectiveHumanitarian organizations have intensified their efforts to address the urgent needs of people affected by the war, assisting 7.2 million people this year, including 1.7 million of those who had to flee their homes and over 850,000 people with disabilities. Their support includes providing food, clean water, shelter repair materials, as well as psychological and medical care, all aimed at alleviating the suffering caused by ongoing attacks.Amidst continuous disruption of essential services, humanitarian actors are working with local authorities to support hospitals, schools, and collective sites for displaced people. Aid workers are making concerted efforts to protect vulnerable groups, including women, children, and older people. They provide psychosocial support and legal assistance to help affected people navigate the war’s devastating impacts. A Call for Continued Solidarity and SupportThe Humanitarian Coordinator urged the international community to maintain its support for Ukraine. “As long as the war continues, humanitarian needs will persist. Winter brings new challenges, and it is critical that we work closely with the government to support affected communities,” Schmale stated.“The humanitarian community is determined to deliver, complementing the vital public services provided by local and state actors,” he added, emphasizing the importance of sustained international solidarity and resources to alleviate the suffering of Ukraine’s people.Meanwhile, Anastasiia hopes that with the support of local authorities and aid workers, her building will soon be repaired, allowing her and her family to stay in their home and regain a sense of stability.
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Story
17 October 2024
World Food Day 2024: FAO’s support to Ukrainian farmers amidst the war
This year’s theme “Right to foods for a better life and a better future” holds special significance for Ukraine, where the ongoing war continues to threaten food security and devastate the environment. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is playing a vital role in supporting the Ukrainian agricultural sector, providing critical assistance to farmers and rural communities affected by the war.“FAO is committed to ensuring food security in Ukraine, supporting the brave farmers and rural families who continue to cultivate their land under incredibly challenging circumstances. On this World Food Day, we acknowledge the resilience and dedication of Ukrainian farmers. Their strength motivates us to help them rebuild and create better conditions for a sustainable future,” said Mohammed Azouqa, Acting Head of the FAO office in Ukraine.In 2024 alone, FAO has assisted over 45,000 rural families in frontline areas with young poultry, irrigation kits, cash, and vouchers for essential agricultural inputs. Around 3,300 farmers and agricultural producers received wheat, soybean, and sunflower seeds, along with vital supplies such as fish feed, vouchers, generators, and storage support — critical resources that help sustain production amid ongoing challenges. Oleksandr from Kharkivska oblast is one of the farmers who received assistance from FAO this year. Before the war, Oleksandr’s farm was thriving, with produce grown for export. But the war left his fields littered with mines and unexploded ordnance, and his storage and work facilities completely destroyed. “The farm was the strongest in the area, and now everything is destroyed,” said Oleksandr, though he refuses to give up. Despite all the difficulties, he continues working to rebuild his farm. In spring, he sowed sunflowers and harvested crops, which will be safely stored in a modular grain storage unit provided by FAO. Preparing for winter, Oleksandr plans to sow his fields with wheat and rapeseed.“The current yield of sunflower is almost three times less than before the war, as we have no resources to apply fertilizer,” the farmer explains. “But we are grateful FAO for having the opportunity to store the seeds safely and sell them later at a good price”.This year’s World Food Day serves as a reminder that, even in the most difficult times, collective efforts can overcome global challenges and promote sustainable development. FAO remains a steadfast partner for Ukraine, committed to restoring food security and supporting the country's agricultural sector.
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Story
19 September 2024
"I forgot to close the door." An evacuee’s rush to safety in Ukraine
Home to some 14,000 people, Mezhova is already hosting 5,000 internally displaced people. Angelina, 87, recently arrived at a transit centre in Mezhova. She fled her hometown, Myrnohrad, following a mandatory evacuation order due to intense fighting. “I had to leave my home in a hurry, but I forgot to close the door,” she confided, her voice trembling. She is worried about her cat and two dogs that she left behind, hoping her neighbour can care for them. “She’s not well herself, but I pray she won’t abandon my pets,” Angelina added. Despite her circumstances, Angelina is determined to return home. “I need to go back soon; my entire library is there,” she said, not fully grasping that it may be some time before she can return. The war escalated near Myrnohrad in early August, with no end in sight.
Local authorities in the neighbouring Dnipropetrovsk Region have established transit centres, including the one in Mezhova. These centres offer evacuees temporary refuge as they wait to be transported to safer areas of Ukraine. They receive food, hygiene kits, psychological support, legal aid and other essential services from local authorities and humanitarian organizations. Some evacuees, like Angelina, will eventually be hosted at collective sites; or they will find their own accommodation. During a recent visit to the region, the Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, visited the Mezhova transit centre and a former transit centre in Pokrovsk Town, located about 30 km away in the Donetsk Region. Two nights before his visit, an attack by the Russian Armed Forces severely damaged the Pokrovsk Town transit centre, rending it functional. “This is unacceptable,” said Mr. Schmale. “People must be safe in places like this.” In meetings with the regional authorities of the Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk Regions, Mr. Schmale reiterated that the humanitarian community would continue assisting people affected by the war, complementing the Government’s response.
Local authorities in the neighbouring Dnipropetrovsk Region have established transit centres, including the one in Mezhova. These centres offer evacuees temporary refuge as they wait to be transported to safer areas of Ukraine. They receive food, hygiene kits, psychological support, legal aid and other essential services from local authorities and humanitarian organizations. Some evacuees, like Angelina, will eventually be hosted at collective sites; or they will find their own accommodation. During a recent visit to the region, the Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, visited the Mezhova transit centre and a former transit centre in Pokrovsk Town, located about 30 km away in the Donetsk Region. Two nights before his visit, an attack by the Russian Armed Forces severely damaged the Pokrovsk Town transit centre, rending it functional. “This is unacceptable,” said Mr. Schmale. “People must be safe in places like this.” In meetings with the regional authorities of the Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk Regions, Mr. Schmale reiterated that the humanitarian community would continue assisting people affected by the war, complementing the Government’s response.
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Press Release
19 December 2024
‘We must not normalise the war in Ukraine,’ warns country coordinator.
The UN’s top official in the country – who also coordinates all the organization’s humanitarian work there – emphasised the urgent need for peace, justice, and sustained international support.In October and November alone, over 2,180 civilian deaths and injuries were verified.The intense fighting has also led to a stream of evacuations, with nearly 40,000 people displaced from frontline areas in the past two months.Mr. Schmale highlighted the heightened vulnerability of marginalised groups while recounting meeting two elderly evacuees in Dnipro, who shared their despair after losing everything to the war.“Understandably, they expressed a pessimistic outlook for a better future,” he noted.He voiced concerns for people with disabilities as he observed firsthand their plight during a visit to a transit centre.“I observed how incredibly challenging it is for people with disabilities to cope with the traumas and disruptions caused by the ongoing war,” he underscored.Amid the devastation, frontline humanitarian workers have continued to serve communities in crisis.In Donetsk region, doctors and health staff, supported by the World Health Organization, provide essential healthcare in extremely harsh conditions.However, as Ukraine enters its third winter since the full-scale invasion, below-zero temperatures and systematic attacks on energy infrastructure pose significant risks.Recent strikes in late November and mid-December caused widespread blackouts, affecting millions and leaving vulnerable populations in high-rise buildings without heating, clean water, or functioning sewage systems.“The attacks have already severely worsened the dire situation for the most vulnerable populations,” the coordinator warned.The UN’s humanitarian winter response plan aims to address emergency needs, including providing solid fuel, cash assistance, and water system repairs.However, $500 million is required to fully implement these efforts by March 2025.Additionally, a broader humanitarian appeal for $2.2 billion is being prepared for 2025 to assist an estimated 12.7 million people.This includes sustaining early recovery programmes, such as education, while addressing critical emergency needs.Concluding his statement, the Resident Coordinator delivered a powerful message: “We must not normalise the war in Ukraine.”“The guns must fall silent and there must be peace with accountability and justice served in full respect of the UN Charter and the territorial integrity of Ukraine,” he emphasised.Source: UN news
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Press Release
13 December 2024
Ukraine: Attack Strikes Medical Facilities in Zaporizhzhia, Kills 11, Including Medical Staff
In the afternoon on 10 December, what Ukrainian authorities have reported to be a missile launched by the Russian Federation struck a commercial building in Zaporizhzhia city, killing 11 civilians and injuring 22. An HRMMU team visited the site after the attack and confirmed that there were two medical facilities in the building complex that was struck. Several of those killed and injured were employees of one of the medical facilities.In another recent attack, aerial glide bombs killed 10 civilians, including two girls, and injured 27, including two girls and a boy in Zaporizhzhia city on 6 December. HRMMU says the latest attacks fall into a pattern of significantly increasing civilian casualties in Zaporizhzhia. Aerial attacks in the city have intensified since 22 September 2024 when so-called aerial glide bombs launched by Russian armed forces struck the city for the first time. Since then, aerial attacks have killed at least 44 civilians and injured 268 in the city, compared with 16 killed and 84 injured in the nearly 10 months in 2024 before 22 September. “In the last three months, attacks have struck residential buildings, shops, and now two medical facilities,” said Danielle Bell, Head of HRMMU. “These attacks in populated areas have resulted in twice the number of civilian casualties in three months than in the entire year of 2023.”
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Press Release
09 December 2024
Deadly attack in Zaporizhzia highlights risk to civilians from “glide bombs”, say UN Human Rights monitors
On 6 December, aerial glide bombs struck a car repair shop in Zaporizhzhia city, reportedly killing ten civilians and injuring 24, including three children. The blast wave and debris also damaged high-rise buildings, private homes, and shops. Aerial bombs usually carry large amounts of explosive material, making them highly destructive.“Yesterday’s attack in Zaporizhzhia is a clear example of why weapons with large amounts of explosive material should not be used in populated areas,” said Danielle Bell, Head of HRMMU. “When they are, they will cause civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure.”From September to November, aerial bombs killed 108 civilians and injured 755 in Ukraine, accounting for 25 per cent of all civilian casualties in the period. For example, on 7 November, aerial glide bombs struck several residential areas in Zaporizhzhia city, killing at least nine civilians and injuring 42. One bomb struck an apartment building. Another bomb hit an oncology center where cancer patients were undergoing chemotherapy at the time, causing severe damage to the facility and injuries to staff and patients. The number of civilian casualties from aerial bombs has significantly increased compared with last year.According to HRMMU’s verified data, aerial bombs killed 341 civilians and injured 1,803 from 1 January through 30 November 2024, a threefold increase in fatalities and a sixfold increase in injuries from aerial bombs compared to 2023. The increase in the number of civilian casualties from such weapons in 2024 is the result of modifications that make aerial bombs glide instead of falling which extends their range. As a result, aerial bombs have struck cities further from the frontline. HRMMU documented civilian casualties from such bombs for the first time in Kharkiv city in early 2024, in Sumy city and region in August 2024, and in Zaporizhzhia city in September 2024.“The glider modifications have allowed Russian armed forces to use powerful aerial bombs in cities previously unreachable with such weapons”, said Bell. “As a result, civilians in major Ukrainian cities, such as Kharkiv, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia, now face unprecedented threats, with highly destructive consequences”.
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Press Release
04 December 2024
Call for submissions by UN Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine
The Commission is interested to hear directly from survivors, their relatives and witnesses who can share information about:Situations in which power outages resulting from attacks on energy-related infrastructure have caused great suffering or serious injury to the body or to mental health of civilians.Cases of torture and sexual and gender-based violence, with a focus on those who committed, ordered, or aided in the commission of these crimes.Situations concerning: Persons deported or transferred to the Russian Federation or territories under Russian control or occupation; Enforced disappearances and missing persons.Execution of persons hors de combat and prisoners of war.The Commission takes all possible measures to ensure protection of information, including through the use of appropriate information communication technologies. It attaches the utmost importance to the protection of sources, notably concerning the respect for confidentiality and the ‘do no harm’ principle, so as 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 an informed consent from them and will use the information provided in accordance with their stated wishes.Not all information sent to the Commission will necessarily be reflected in the reports.In order to preserve the security and confidentiality of the information submitted, it is recommended to submit through the specific email address created by the Commission for this purpose: ohchr-submission-coiukraine@un.org Should you have any questions, including on how to submit information in a different way, please contact the Commission at: coi-ukraine@un.orgYou are invited to submit your information before 31 December 2024.The Commission will submit a comprehensive report to the Human Rights Council at its 58th session in March 2025. Background: The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine is an independent body mandated by the UN Human Rights Council to, among other things, investigate all alleged violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law, and related crimes in the context of the aggression against Ukraine by the Russian Federation. The Commission comprises Erik Møse (Chair), Pablo de Greiff and Vrinda Grover.More information on the work of the Commission can be found here.For queries please contact: Saule Mukhametrakhimova, Media Adviser, Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine; at saule.mukhametrakhimova@un.org or +43-676 3493464.
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Press Release
29 November 2024
Plight of civilians as result of attacks on energy network
Thursday’s missile and long-range drone strikes reportedly caused damage in at least 13 regions, in addition to Kyiv City, and resulted in blackouts affecting more than one million consumers across the country. In some regions, essential services, including water and transportation, were disrupted.Since March, Ukraine’s energy production capacity has been targeted in waves of attacks, causing foreseeable and wide-ranging harm to civilians. As ever, the most vulnerable - older people, low-income households, people with disabilities and those who are internally displaced – have been particularly put at risk.As temperatures drop below freezing, and are likely to fall further, electricity and electricity-dependent services are even more critical for the survival of the civilian population.While the full impact of the latest strikes will only become clearer in due course, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has consistently followed up in the wake of such attacks, documenting the effects on electricity production, water distribution, heating and hot water, public health and education. In essence, the basics of daily life for millions of civilians, across the entire country.The High Commissioner reiterates that multiple aspects of the military campaign to damage or destroy Ukraine’s civilian energy infrastructure, including objects essential for civilian survival – such as heating facilities during the winter months – raise serious concerns regarding Russian forces’ respect of cardinal principles of international humanitarian law of distinction, precaution and proportionality in the conduct of hostilities. These recurring, systematic attacks must be investigated and anyone found responsible for serious violations should be held to account.We call again on the Russian Federation to immediately cease all attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure critical to the civilian population, for accountability for all unlawful attacks, and for the international community to prioritize support to Ukraine to repair and restore its energy systems.
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