United Nations in Ukraine

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12 November 2025

UNDP, partners empower Ukraine with first cross-agency national cadre of underwater demining instructors for underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles

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Press Release

12 November 2025

Over a Million of Displaced Ukrainians Forced to Exhaust Their Savings to Cover Rent

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Press Release

12 November 2025

Ukraine faces intensified attacks on energy infrastructure amid continued high civilian casualties, UN monitors say

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Latest

Press Release

12 November 2025

UNDP, partners empower Ukraine with first cross-agency national cadre of underwater demining instructors for underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles

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Press Release

12 November 2025

Over a Million of Displaced Ukrainians Forced to Exhaust Their Savings to Cover Rent

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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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Publication

01 May 2025

United Nations in Ukraine Annual Results Report 2024

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

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Press Release

02 October 2025

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

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

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Story

28 August 2025

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

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

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Publication

23 September 2025

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

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

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

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Story

10 November 2025

Bringing support and social connection to isolated war-affected people in Ukraine

The full-scale war in Ukraine, claiming lives, uprooting millions and causing mass destruction, has also left many vulnerable people in very difficult and isolated situations, without social support, in hardship and loneliness.
Whether it is an 80-year-old woman living alone on the 10th floor without electricity, a newly evacuated person with limited mobility arriving in a new community not knowing anyone, or an elderly couple that have returned to a remote area devastated by war. This is where social facilitators, trained community volunteers, step in to provide neighbourly basic social support.
Social facilitation - a new community-based protection model complements state social services and provides basic, tangible assistance that makes daily life more manageable. This could include carrying firewood, delivering water, accompanying someone to the medical clinic or grocery store, or simply spending time in conversation.
The facilitators act like a bridge between the people and the state social protection system: While on the one hand, the state’s social services can refer people to the programme, on the other hand, social facilitators help people access social services. “When someone comes to visit me, it means a lot” In the village of Chervona Dolyna in the Mykolaiv region, social facilitators have become a vital part of daily life for many residents. 77-year-old Lyudmyla Buts is one of them.
She never left home. Even during months of shelling and hostilities right at her doorstep in the beginning of the full-scale invasion, and now as the war is ongoing. Her son serves in the military, and her daughter, who lives in Kherson, cannot be by her side. With chronic health issues and a pension of just 4,000 UAH (approx. USD 96) a month, she was not able to evacuate. When explosions damaged her home, UNHCR and its NGO partner the Tenth of April stepped in with emergency repairs, and mobile brigades fixed the roof and replaced shattered windows. But the greatest change in Lyudmyla’s life came with the weekly visits from a social facilitator, also called Lyudmyla (Komyrets), who supports her around the house.
“Imagine, I am 77 years old. It is no longer easy for me to carry buckets. Once a week, Lyudmyla comes, and I am so glad about this. She helps me to carry coal and firewood, bring water, or pick up my medicine. When someone comes to visit me, it means a lot,” says Lyudmyla Buts.Support that makes a differenceThe social facilitators are trained volunteers from the same communities who act as “good neighbors,” ensuring that the most vulnerable people impacted by the war—including older people, persons with disabilities, internally displaced people and returnees living alone—are not isolated or forgotten.
“I take care of six people in our village—mostly elderly, and two of them have disabilities. Of course, they need practical help with everyday things,” explains Lyudmyla Komyrets, 41, the social facilitator in Chervona Dolyna.
But according to her, the role of a social facilitator goes far beyond helping around the household.
“I officially dedicate one day a week, but I often try to do more. Sometimes I come at noon, sometimes in the evening, just to be there for them. I give as much as I can,” she says.
“People need someone to talk to, someone who listens. Communication is vital. It helps people, and it gives them the connection they are missing. There are no social workers in our village, so I step in to fill this gap,” highlights Lyudmyla. “It is not only the help—it is the conversation” A few houses away lives Mariia Kovtunyuk, 83. At the start of the full-scale invasion, Mariia and her husband, who had a serious physical disability, sheltered in their basement for three days under heavy bombardment, before fleeing to Odesa to stay with relatives. When they returned in March 2023, they found their home damaged by shelling and shrapnel.
They repaired what they could themselves, but not long after, Mariia’s husband passed away, leaving her to cope with grief and daily survival alone. It was then that the social facilitator program became an anchor in her life. Through regular visits, Lydmila Komyrets, her facilitator, supported Mariia not only with access to essentials but also with companionship and small acts of kindness.
“Lyudmyla comes whenever I need her. She helps me get to the medical point, brings what is necessary, and always checks in. Sometimes she even helps with things that are not her job,” says Mariia.
“It is not only the help—it is also the conversation. To sit together, to talk, to not feel alone. For me, that is the most important support,” she adds. What started as a pilot initiative launched in late 2024 with UNHCR’s partner Tenth of April with 10 social facilitators in Mykolaiv Region, has grown into a community of over 100 facilitators active in over 90 communities in 13 regions. In the first nine months of 2025, facilitators have already supported over 5,000 people, providing tangible help to people that makes their daily life a little easier, more hopeful and less lonely.
The social facilitators programme not only supports people, but it also supports the state social protection system by complementing and reinforcing it.By Tetiana Kuras and Denys Kovalskyi

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Story

06 November 2025

Youth Shaping Ukraine’s Future Together with the UN in Kharkiv

Two days ahead of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, on 22 October, more than 75 students and young leaders from Kharkiv and the region came together at a joint event organized by the United Nations jointly with Karazin National University Kharkiv to discuss how young people can contribute to positive change in their communities. Check out the photo story from the event: The young people were welcomed by the representatives of the University and UN agencies at the underground modern art space – Yermilov Centre that has become a symbol of Kharkiv’s creativity and unbreakable spirit. The UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, and Vice-Rector of Karazin University, Anatoliy Babichev, opened event. The representatives from UNICEF Ukraine and UNFPA interacted with participants encouraging them to describe their experience in participating in youth engagement initiatives, including Youth Councils. UN Head in Ukraine busted some of the most prevailing myths about the UN while challenging youth to think about solutions to a range of issues. The second part of the event was devoted to the young people working in the groups. They were tasked to determine the most pressing issues in their community and develop innovative solutions and suggest concrete project for the UN to implement. Surrounded by exhibitions and installations, young participants shared their visions for Ukraine’s recovery, exchanging experiences. They focused on such a challenging topics like mental health support, gender-based violence, lack of the employment opportunities for young people who just finished the university. Also, they touched upon the questions of demining and need for restoration of social infrastructure and services. As part of the event, participants also attended the opening of the photo exhibition “Shared Lives, Shared Future,” marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. The exhibition highlights how UN projects transform people’s lives helping communities recover, unlock new opportunities, and build a future where no one is left behind. “Events like this show that Kharkiv is not only a city that stands strong, but a city that thinks about the future,” underlined Head of the UN in Ukraine Matthias Schmale during the closing discussion.

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03 November 2025

From Destruction to Restoration: The Story of a College in Katyuzhanka

After extensive fires and the loss of equipment, the college has reopened its doors to 450 students, who can now acquire practical skills in the renovated facilities — taking a step toward rebuilding their own future and the country.The village of Katyuzhanka in the Kyiv region has always been a vibrant community. Since 1953, the Katyuzhanka Vocational College has been operating continuously, renowned for training skilled professionals across a range of fields — from agriculture and transport to food technology and service industries. The college has become a hub of opportunities for young people seeking practical knowledge and professional skills. Under these conditions, continuing education was impossible and unsafe. Only later was the learning process resumed online. However, remote learning can never fully replace in-person education, especially when it comes to practical training. This is particularly important for the college, as it prepares future chefs, tractor operators, drivers, and other tradespeople that the country urgently needs.Over the years, the Katyuzhanka Vocational College has trained around 25,000 skilled professionals across 15 vocational specialties. They successfully work in key areas of the agro-industrial sector, manage enterprises and educational institutions, and continue their studies at higher education institutions.
The destruction caused by the war was extensive. Some of the college’s facilities were restored through the efforts of the local community, while others were repaired with the support of international partners, including UNOPS.The college was included in the scope of the “School Repairs in Ukraine” project, implemented by UNOPS with financial support from the European Union. The renovation work focused on several rooms that had suffered the most from the fires.Now, repair works at the college have been completed, and the facilities are ready for practical lessons in the new academic year. Looking at the photos after the restoration, it is hard to believe that a major fire once occurred here. On 1 September this year, the college reopened its doors to students. They can now continue their studies in the renovated facilities. “The restored college provides continuous education, retraining, and skills development for members of the community, which is key to adapting to change and successfully rebuilding the country. This year, we started the academic year with 450 students, and the renovated facilities are already being used to train skilled workers in agriculture, mechanization and transport, food technology, and the service sector,” said Ruslan Nedashkivskyi, the college director. 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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03 November 2025

Clearing the Way to Safety: How Mine Action Saves Lives Today and Builds a Better Tomorrow

Yet, with the ongoing large-scale invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine, the Convention must now prove its resilience under the strain and focus on ensuring safety for civilians living under the constant threats of explosive remnants of war, such as mines, parts of drones and missiles. Protecting civilians at the heart of mine action Mines continue to threaten lives in dozens of countries, restrict freedom of movement, and limit access to land, education, and healthcare. For this reason, clearing contaminated areas and supporting survivors remain key priorities in mine action worldwide, particularly in Ukraine. Since entering into force in 1999, the Convention has delivered tangible results: more than 53 million landmines have been destroyed, millions of hectares of land have been cleared and made safe for people to live and work, and landmine survivors have become active participants in recovery and decision-making processes that affect their lives. Behind these figures are real human stories. Paul Heslop, Senior Mine Action Advisor at the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Ukraine, notes that each mine cleared allows another family to return to safety. Mine action – a path to peace, recovery and partnership Clearing mines is only the first step. Mine action creates the foundations for peace, development, and a life of dignity. In Ukraine, demining farmland enables farmers to restore their harvests and contribute to global food security. Mine action contributes directly to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, including eradicating poverty, hunger, and inequality, while strengthening peace, justice, and strong institutions. Without it, other recovery efforts remain impossible. Paul Heslop recalls seeing the partnerships in action - humanitarian organizations, national authorities, and United Nations partners are clearing contaminated land, educating communities on risk and building national mine action systems. In the Kharkiv Oblast, mine action teams are racing to make farmland safe in a compensation programme funded by the government. The United Nations in Ukraine continues to work with national and international partners to support mine action that protects civilians and lays the foundation for peace and sustainable recovery. New technologies are also transforming the field. Drones, artificial intelligence, digital mapping, and advanced mechanical systems are accelerating survey and clearance, while enhancing both effectiveness and safety for deminers. But beyond technology, it’s about people: training local experts, including women and veterans, improving facilities so teams can work year-round, and raising awareness in communities to prevent new tragedies. Last, not least, supporting survivors on their journey to recovery has become an integral part of the mine action in Ukraine, including their voices on how to address the consequences of mines are heard. As the Ukrainian experience clearly shows, the way forward lies in sustained partnership and practical mine action, combining concrete actions with a tangible commitment to protect civilians who are still living under threat. For them, demining is a hope for returning home and restoring livelihoods. And it could be the only hope. The article is based on the blog by Paul Heslop and Sonia Pabley, originally published in the UN Chronicle.

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30 October 2025

Colour returns to Iryna’s life as humanitarians reach Ukraine’s most vulnerable people

Iryna faced an impossible choice when the war in Ukraine reached her hometown, Berdiansk, in 2022. Her mother urgently needed medicine that was no longer available in the city under occupation. “There was only one option: I had to leave, to walk, to deliver the medicines needed,” Iryna recalled. She and another woman walked for two days, trying to escape the war-torn city. They both reached Zaporizhzhia City and ensured that Iryna’s mother received the necessary treatment. But Iryna’s health soon deteriorated. Her leg was amputated due to a serious illness, and weakness in her arms left her unable to move independently. For more than three years, she has lived in a collective centre for displaced people, dependent on a wheelchair. Restoring dignity through supportTo support Iryna, non-governmental organization Rokada Charitable Foundation, with funding from the OCHA-managed Ukraine Humanitarian Fund, arranged transport to doctors, and access to specialists and psychosocial care. “For me, Rokada’s work has been extremely valuable, especially the psychologist,” Iryna said. “At first it was hard to open up, to speak about what hurt. It took time. Now, with other residents in the collective site, we are more than neighbours – we have become family.” Rokada installed two ramps and adapted the centre’s bathrooms, meaning Iryna and other residents with disabilities can now move around more freely. “Now I can go to the hospital or the shop by myself,” she said. “Without Rokada’s help, I would just sit and stare out the window – my life would have ended there.” Iryna is one of thousands of Ukrainians with disabilities living in collective centres after fleeing front-line areas or losing their homes. According to the latest situation overview on population profiling in collective centres, about 72,000 vulnerable displaced people – including older people, people with disabilities and households with limited resources – live in some 1,500 collective sites across the country. Supporting these groups is one of four priorities under the Ukraine 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan. By the end of August more than 130,000 displaced people with disabilities had received at least one type of humanitarian assistance in 2025. Across Ukraine, organizations such as Rokada – supported by pooled funds – are providing vital care and restoring dignity for thousands of displaced people. Iryna still does not know what tomorrow will bring. But thanks to the support she has received, she says her world is no longer black and white. Colour has returned to her life. By Olena Danylyshyn, Rokada Charitable Foundation and Viktoriia Andriievska, OCHA

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Press Release

12 November 2025

Ukraine faces intensified attacks on energy infrastructure amid continued high civilian casualties, UN monitors say

Three large-scale attacks last month on 10, 22 and 30 October targeted energy infrastructure, causing emergency power outages across most regions of the country. November has brought no respite as new attacks on Ukraine’s power grid triggered more power outages across the country. At least 148 civilians were killed and 929 injured in October, mirroring the high numbers in the previous two months. “As civilians in Ukraine head into another winter, the increase in attacks on energy infrastructure and resulting power outages heightens risks for the population,” said Danielle Bell, head of HRMMU. “Any prolonged disruptions to heating, electricity or water supplies would create extreme hardships, particularly for older persons, persons with disabilities, families with young children, and women who often bear the primary responsibility for caregiving and ensuring access to essential needs for their families.”In October, two-thirds of civilian casualties occurred in areas adjacent to the frontline, while one-third occurred deeper in Ukraine’s territory, including in Kyiv, as a result of long-range missile and drone strikes. Civilian casualties from January to October 2025 were 27 per cent higher than during the same period last year, and the toll of casualties for the first ten months of 2025 has already exceeded the total for all of 2024.The Ukrainian armed forces also reportedly attacked energy and industrial facilities in the Russian Federation. However, HRMMU has not been able to independently verify the impact of those attacks on civilians.

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Press Release

12 November 2025

Over a Million of Displaced Ukrainians Forced to Exhaust Their Savings to Cover Rent

According to recent data gathered by IOM, more than half of all 3.7 million IDPs (54%) live in rented accommodation, compared to just six per cent of non-displaced Ukrainians. Around 2.5 million people own homes that remain largely inaccessible. More than half (60%) of these housing units owned by IDPs in their area of origin were reported as damaged.The financial burden of rent continues to weigh heavily on displaced households. Two-thirds of IDPs renting accommodation (over 1.3 million people) rely on their savings to cover the costs, according to IOM survey findings. One in four displaced people spending 50 per cent or more of their income on rent have already exhausted their savings. Worsening the situation, the median monthly income of IDPs seeking rental housing—UAH 16,000 (USD 380)—is significantly lower than roughly UAH 30,000 (USD 700) reported by returnee and non-displaced renters. As the war in Ukraine continues, addressing the housing needs of displaced Ukrainians remains a critical priority.“IOM is dedicated to helping internally displaced people, and the communities hosting them, build lasting futures. This includes training for new skills, connecting people with jobs, and securing stable homes,” said Robert Turner, IOM Ukraine’s Chief of Mission.IOM has been conducting regular surveys on the situation of war-affected people in Ukraine. The latest round has been conducted between July and October 2025 through phone interviews with over 40,000 randomly selected respondents across Ukraine, excluding Crimea and occupied areas. The survey included follow-up interviews with IDPs, returnees, and non-displaced people.

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Press Release

12 November 2025

UNDP, partners empower Ukraine with first cross-agency national cadre of underwater demining instructors for underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles

Kyiv, 12 November 2025 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine today announced the graduation of 15 specialists who have completed a pioneering Training of Trainers (ToT) course for underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) operations – a critical milestone in scaling Ukraine’s capacity to clear explosive hazards from its vast waterways.The newly certified instructors, representing the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU), the Special State Transportation Service of Ukraine (SSTS), the National Police of Ukraine (NPU), the National Mine Action Centre (NMAC), and the National Mine Action Authority, now form Ukraine’s first unified national training team. They are equipped to train all future operators of Deep Trekker Revolution ROVs, exponentially expanding the country’s ability to clear vital water bodies such as canals and rivers.An estimated 13,500 square kilometers of Ukraine’s aquatic areas – including the Dnipro River, lakes, and Black Sea coastlines – are potentially contaminated with explosive remnants of war. While SESU divers have cleared 190 square kilometers and removed over 2,800 explosive devices since the start of the full-scale invasion, this represents just 1.41% of the total estimated contamination.Serhiy Reva, Head of the Department for Organizational Work on Humanitarian Demining at Ukraine’s State Emergency Service, said modern humanitarian demining would be impossible without innovation. “The use of remotely operated underwater vehicles is not just a technical upgrade; it's a change in the philosophy of security,” Reva said. “These technologies allow us to perform complex underwater tasks with minimal risk to our specialists and maximum efficiency."“We are grateful to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and international partners for their systematic support — for not just transferring equipment, but for helping to form an expert community capable of training others and scaling this knowledge across all regions of Ukraine,” Reva added.“This is an investment in the safe future of our people and in the recovery of the country after the war.”The Deep Trekker Revolution ROV systems enable safe location and identification of ordnance at depths up to 300 meters, overcoming severe operational challenges including zero visibility, strong currents, and heavy siltation – conditions that make traditional diving operations exceptionally dangerous.“ROV technology fundamentally transforms how we approach underwater demining,” said Yevhen Radchenko, an underwater deminer and instructor with SESU who participated in the course. “In near-zero visibility and strong currents, we can now deploy these robots to safely locate and identify explosive devices before any diver enters the water. This isn’t just about efficiency – it’s about bringing our people home safely every day.” Deputy Economy Minister of Ukraine Ihor Bezkaravainyi emphasized that clearing waterways is essential to both national recovery and global food security.“The Black Sea coastline and the Ukrainian part of the Danube Delta are vital waterways for Ukraine’s grain exports, and when we clear them, we’re tackling global food insecurity,” Bezkaravainyi said. “This training boosts the sophisticated capacity needed to protect critical infrastructure, restore our export logistics, and return waters to safe use – in particular for irrigating the fields of southern Ukraine.”The training and equipment supply were made possible through financial support from the governments of the Netherlands, Sweden, Spain, and Luxembourg.“The Netherlands is proud to stand with Ukraine and our fellow donor partners in supporting the Mine Action Programme,” said Robert Dekker, Head Political Department, Counsellor, Embassy of the Netherlands. “Clearing these waterways is a humanitarian necessity and a prerequisite for lasting peace and recovery. This initiative exemplifies how targeted technical support from international and national actors can directly enhance the safety and resilience of the Ukrainian people.”Rana El-Houjeiri, Senior Advisor and Head of Policy and Programme Coherence at UNDP in Ukraine, highlighted the program's focus on long-term sustainability.“This ToT is a game-changer because it moves beyond simply providing equipment or technical know-how – it’s about institutional building, self-sufficiency, and national ownership,” El-Houjeiri said. “By establishing a a coordinated national action, Ukraine can ensure coherent implementation and long-term sustainability across all key state entities. This is a strategic investment in Ukraine's future, enabling the country to manage the long-term clearance effort efficiently and safely.”As part of its Mine Action Programme (MAP) commitment to clear mines and unexploded ordnance, UNDP is developing national standards, providing specialized equipment, and building capacity across Ukraine’s demining sector. The organization plans to complete supply of a total of 60 Deep Trekker Revolution ROVs to national operators by the end of 2026, further accelerating the country’s clearance capabilities.

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Press Release

07 November 2025

The Independent International Commission of Inquiry visits Kyiv, reiterating its findings

The visit follows shortly after the Commission's report of 27 October 2025 to the United Nations General Assembly, in which it found that Russian authorities have systematically coordinated actions to drive out Ukrainian civilians from their place of residence as well as deportations and transfers. In this report, the Commission concluded that attacks with short-range drones affecting numerous localities on the right bank of the Dnipro River constitute the crimes against humanity of murder and of forcible transfer of population, whereas actions to deport or transfer civilians from the occupied areas of Zaporizhzhia Oblast amount to war crimes. Since its establishment in 2022, the Commission has visited Ukraine 26 times, and also travelled to Georgia, Estonia, the Netherlands and Poland. It has published nine written reports, including two conference room papers, one of them a comprehensive 170-page document, as well as several oral statements. Not having had the opportunity to visit Ukraine for more than a year now, because of the liquidity crisis at the United Nations, the Commissioners consider it useful to recapitulate the main findings of the Commission since its creation. In its investigations, it applies the common standard employed by investigative bodies, “reasonable grounds to believe”. The conclusions reached by the Commission are based on its own investigations and corroborated by other sources. It has documented a wide range of violations of international human rights, international humanitarian law, as well as international crimes, predominantly committed by Russian authorities in the context of Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion against Ukraine on 24 February 2022. These violations have affected men, women, boys and girls, older people, and both civilians and members of the armed forces. Starting with violations of international human rights and humanitarian law perpetrated by Russian authorities, they include indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks with explosive weapons, causing civilian casualties and destruction. Such attacks notably affected civilian objects with special protection, such as medical facilities. The Russian armed forced often failed to take precautions to avoid harming civilians. The Commission also found that Russian authorities violated international human rights and humanitarian law by spreading terror among civilians, using short-range drones. The Commission has also determined that Russian armed forces and authorities have committed a wide range of war crimes against civilians, civilian objects, as well as members of armed forces: the transfer and deportation of children and adult civilians; attacking civilians and civilian objects; the wilful killing of civilians; killing or wounding prisoners of war or persons hors de combat; torture, rape and sexual violence, including as a form of torture, and excessive incidental death, injury, or damage, linked to attacks targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.Moreover, the Commission has determined that Russian authorities have committed crimes against humanity of torture, enforced disappearances, murder and forcible transfer of population. These most serious crimes have crossed the necessary threshold for such determination since they have been committed as part of widespread and systematic attacks against the civilian population, pursuant to a state policy. As a consequence of these violations and crimes, thousands of lives have been lost, people have been injured and maimed, loved ones murdered, property destroyed, life projects ruined, families separated, cultural objects wrecked. The pain and trauma that has been caused by a conflict of this magnitude will leave multigenerational traces. The Commission, as an independent and objective body, has also investigated violations perpetrated by Ukrainian authorities. It has determined that they are responsible for some violations of human rights and humanitarian law, including indiscriminate attacks. In some cases, they have violated human rights of persons they accused of “collaborative activity” by subjecting them to arbitrary arrest and detention, torture, ill-treatment and enforced disappearance. It has also examined other alleged violations committed by Ukrainian authorities but was unable to conclude the investigation due to lack of access to the territory, concerns relating to the safety of witnesses, and in the absence of response by the Russian authorities. The Commission is committed to contributing to accountability for these crimes and violations in order to break cycles of impunity and strengthen respect for international law. The evidence collected, including identification of individuals and entities, will be of use in ongoing and future accountability proceedings. Justice is also due as a mark of respect in the memory of victims whose lives were interrupted, not by natural causes, but by deliberate acts. The Members of the Commission have always promoted a broad notion of accountability including criminal justice, as well as other rights of victims. Therefore, measures of rehabilitation, including mental health and psychosocial support, are essential. The Commission strongly endorses comprehensive reparations programs for victims, distinct from national reconstruction projects, which in the case of an international conflict should be paid for by the aggressor state; the satisfaction of the right to truth, including the resolution of cases of missing persons; and also guarantees of non-recurrence. This is a complex and large-scale armed conflict and much more remains to be investigated. The Commission will, to the extent of its capacity, and in accordance with its mandate, continue to do its utmost to contribute to this broad notion of accountability towards the satisfaction of all victims’ rights.ENDSBackground: 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.For media requests and queries, please contact: Saule Mukhametrakhimova, Media Adviser, Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, saule.mukhametrakhimova@un.org, or (+43-1) 26060-83450 or (+43-676) 3493464; or Todd Pitman, Media Adviser for the UN Human Rights Council’s Investigative Bodies, todd.pitman@un.org or (+41) 766911761.

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Press Release

31 October 2025

Russian Attacks on Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure Deepen Civilian Hardship Ahead of Winter

Last night’s attack marked the third large-scale combined strike in October targeting energy infrastructure, which damaged civilian facilities and led to emergency power cuts across multiple regions of the country. Preliminary reports indicate that at least 2 civilians were killed and 23 injured, including 6 children, in Zaporizhzhia, which was reportedly hit by over 8 ballistic missiles and 20 Shahed drones. Civilian casualties were also reported in Kyiv and Vinnytsia regions, with a 7-year-old girl killed and five civilians injured. The attack was one of the largest on Ukraine since February 2022, with 705 munitions reportedly deployed. Explosions occurred in multiple regions, including Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Vinnytsia. “If attacks of this scale and frequency continue, there is a significant risk of dangerous consequences for civilians this winter, including prolonged disruptions to heating, electricity, and water supplies,” said Danielle Bell, Head of the HRMMU. “These disruptions would disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, including older persons, persons with disabilities, and families with young children, who are least able to cope with the loss of essential services in harsh winter conditions.” Yesterday, Bell visited Chernihiv region to meet with regional authorities and civil society representatives to discuss the situation in the area, where conditions remain difficult amid ongoing attacks on critical infrastructure on the eve of winter. Despite the persistent strikes, local authorities and energy workers across Ukraine are making significant efforts to restore damaged infrastructure, often working under hazardous conditions. In 2025, at least 11 energy workers have been killed or injured while performing their duties to maintain essential services for the civilian population. At the same time, the Ukrainian armed forces reportedly responded to Russian long-range attacks with its own drone and missile strikes, impacting Russian energy and industrial facilities, but the impact on civilians of these reported attacks cannot be independently verified by HRMMU. “With winter approaching, strikes on energy infrastructure increase the risk of prolonged disruptions to heating, electricity, and other essential services in Ukraine. This will have significant implications for civilians across the country, especially in regions already facing challenges to critical infrastructure,” said Bell.

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Where we work: The UN’s programmatic interventions

The UN is implementing 0 programmatic interventions during the ongoing programme cycle. The map below displays the number of programmatic interventions per location (note that a programmatic intervention may be linked to more than one location). Click on the number on the map to get a summary description of the programmatic interventions. Programmatic interventions may be linked to the national level or specific locations/sub-national level. Note that some interventions linked to specific locations might also have components at the national level, even if they are not categorized as country-level interventions. Click on “Show location details” in the bottom right corner to view a summary table with locations, the number of programmatic interventions, and the UN entities working in those locations. For definitions of programmatic interventions, please refer to the Glossary section.

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