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Press Release
20 November 2024
WHO and the World Bank launch new report assessing progress on health financing reforms implementation in Ukraine amid the war
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Speech
19 November 2024
1,000 days of suffering, fear and courage: UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine Matthias Schmale urges the international community to stand with the people of Ukraine
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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
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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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Speech
19 November 2024
1,000 days of suffering, fear and courage: UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine Matthias Schmale urges the international community to stand with the people of Ukraine
A decade after protracted hostilities began, Ukrainians continue to endure the horrors of war on this 1000th day of suffering, fear, and uncertainty.Since February 2022, over 39,000 civilians have been killed or injured, over 3,400 schools and hospitals have been damaged or destroyed, and 10 million people have fled their homes. These are not just numbers; each one of them represents countless stories of individual unimaginable pain for the people of Ukraine.During my trips to Dnipro, Kharkiv, Kherson, Odesa, Sumy and many other places, I have spoken to people whose loved ones were killed and whose homes were destroyed during attacks. I have met people in transit sites who had to leave their lives behind carrying whatever of their belongings they could salvage in one small bag. At the same time, I have been deeply touched by the extraordinary courage and strength that the Ukrainian people have shown every day for nearly three years as they stood up after devastating attacks and dealt with the constant disruptions of everyday life.We in the United Nations cannot erase the horrors of the war, but with considerable international support, we have worked with national and international organizations and the government to address the most acute needs of the most vulnerable, including people with limited mobility and older people. As Ukrainians brace for another winter of war, the UN's support and the solidarity of the international community must remain firm. I urge the international community to stand with Ukraine and to continue recognizing and supporting the heroic work of the many first responders, including volunteers.From assisting people close to the front line and enabling education in emergencies for children to supporting the demining and green recovery of the agricultural and energy sectors, the UN is committed to continuing to mobilize relevant expertise and resources to alleviate suffering and start rebuilding prosperous and dignified lives.
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Publication
15 November 2024
Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict — October 2024
Summary• At least 183 civilians were killed and 903 injured in Ukraine in October. Forty-five per cent of those killed were older than 60 years. Among the casualties, nine children were killed and 49 injured.• Russian armed forces intensified their long-range drone (loitering munitions) attacks across the country, with over 1900 strikes reported throughout the month. The strikes or falling debris from the munitions’ interception killed 6 civilians and injured 21, and damaged civilian property and infrastructure. Beyond the loss of life and injuries, the near-daily frequency of these attacks, paired with constant air raid sirens, significantly disrupted civilian life.• 80 per cent of casualties in October occurred near the frontline, particularly from aerial bombardments, artillery shelling, MLRS strikes and short-range drone attacks, with the highest numbers in Kherson, Kharkiv and Donetsk regions.• The vast majority of civilian casualties (94 per cent) and damage to educational and health facilities (96 per cent) in October occurred in territory controlled by Ukraine.• At least six attacks struck vessels and seaport infrastructure in territory controlled by Ukraine (Odesa region) in October. One attack struck a port in territory occupied by the Russian Federation (Zaporizhzhia region).
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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
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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Story
13 September 2024
Story of a School: Rebuilding for the Future
With the support of UNOPS and the European Union, the school is being restored, offering a beacon of hope amid the ongoing challenges.In the heart of Kharkiv, a school that once brimmed with life and energy has become a quiet monument to the challenges faced during war. The courtyard, where children used to joyfully ride their bikes, now lies mostly silent. Once, the playground was a hub of activity, hosting a unique cycling program that engaged students, teachers, and even the head teacher, Alla Zub. Some students became local champions, their victories celebrated by the entire school community.But today, two and half years after Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine, the scene has drastically changed. The playground stands mostly empty, with only a few local children who still live nearby occasionally visiting. It serves as a quiet testament to the devastating impacts the war has had on this school and the surrounding communities. In total, the school has been struck three times. The most devastating strike occurred in August 2022. Missiles hit the building – shattering windows, damaging walls and destroying the ceiling. Thankfully, the building was empty, sparing lives but leaving behind destruction and a deep sense of uncertainty. “This was about a month into the invasion – a terrible time for Kharkiv. We were scared and confused, not sure what to do,” recalls Alla Zub, the head teacher. This school once educated over 770 students, including children with disabilities. The facilities were equipped to ensure a comfortable learning environment for every student, including an accessible elevator. Today, many students are scattered across different parts of the world, while some now attend makeshift classrooms in the Kharkiv metro. Both the students and staff alike, including Alla, long for the day they can return to their beloved school.“I am in touch with many of the families, and I can tell how much they want to go back to normal,” says Alla.“Going to school and socializing with your peers is such an essential childhood experience. It pains me to see how kids are being deprived of it. Ever since the Covid[-19] pandemic four years ago, we’ve had to deal with constant disruption, and it takes a toll on everyone involved: children, parents and teachers.” Despite the destruction, and the disruption to many lives, hope has not been lost. Thanks to the School Repairs in Ukraine project, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNOPS, the school has been repaired. Damaged windows and doors have been replaced, classrooms renovated, and new modern furniture installed. The building, now restored, stands ready to welcome students once more, even if the day of their returns remains uncertain. The restoration of this school is part of a broader effort to repair educational facilities across Ukraine. The project has already completed work on 26 schools in four regions, with plans to restore over 75 schools in total. "Education is the cornerstone of development and prosperity, which is why the EU is committed to ensuring that Ukrainian children have access to quality learning, despite all the challenges posed by Russia's invasion," says Marianna Franco, Head of the European Union Humanitarian Aid Office in Ukraine. "We believe that schools need to be repaired as soon as possible. We are also supporting the establishment of appropriate shelters so that learning environments are as safe as possible and children in Ukraine can pursue their dreams and ambitions".For now, the school remains empty, maintained by a skeleton staff. The older students continue their education online, which has proven difficult due to unreliable technology and frequent power outages caused by ongoing attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Younger students face the choice between online learning or attending classes in the city’s metro stations – a solution that requires families to navigate logistical hurdles and anxieties related to travelling further distances in a war zone.Yet, in the silence, there is still hope. “The repairs give me, and I hope others too, a sense of hope for the future. We are one step closer to normality, closer to the way things used to be,” reflects Alla. This initiative, which represents a significant investment in Ukraine's future, aims to create safe, welcoming environments where children can continue their education without interruption.“Schools are often at the heart of their local communities, and so helping repair them is a great privilege for us. This project still has much work to do, but the team remains committed to completing our support to all our nominated schools to the highest degree of quality, as quickly as possible,” explains Paul Cruickshank, Senior Project Manager. “At all times, we remain keenly aware that the sites we work at are part of a critical social fabric," he adds.As the school looks forward to welcoming its students back, the community holds onto the hope that one day, the laughter and energy of the children will once again fill the courtyard. Until then, the building stands as a testament to the resilience of a community that refuses to let war extinguish its spirit.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 75 schools, the project will help restore facilities to a safe and welcoming environment where children can continue their education without interruption.
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Story
17 October 2024
Supporting justice and accountability in Ukraine
Shortly after a deadly attack hit a children’s hospital in Kyiv in July 2024, a team of UN Human Rights officers and experts were busy at the site, interviewing medical staff, parents and residents, meticulously monitoring and documenting the realities of war. As the team carried out its work, stunned-looking children sat in hospital beds set up in parks and streets, their bodies still connected to medical drips, while smoke rose from rubble.The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation is inflicting immense suffering on the people of Ukraine. Thousands of civilians have lost their lives. Relentless attacks continue to destroy homes, hospitals and schools. Entire neighbourhoods and villages have been erased. Millions were forced to flee their homes, tearing families apart. Summary executions, torture, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention and sexual violence have occurred with impunity.The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) was established in 2014 to monitor and report on the human rights situation in the country. Since 24 February 2022, the mission has intensified its work of documenting violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law committed by all parties to the conflict, aiming to protect human rights and promote accountability and justice.With the invasion well into its third year, Danielle Bell, the Head of Mission, believes that the continued monitoring and documentation of human rights violations will help ensure that accountability and justice become a reality one day.The mission’s 75 staff members meet daily with people who are directly affected by the conflict, said Bell, to offer a “firsthand, credible and reliable account of human rights violations and civilian protection trends in the entire country, including in occupied territory.” “We're the only UN organization with a monitoring presence near the front line, which means we meet daily with people who are directly affected by the conflict.“DANIELLE BELL, HEAD OF UN HUMAN RIGHTS MISSION IN UKRAINEThrough its diligent work of documenting and producing evidence-based reports on the human rights situation, the mission supports accountability mechanisms and facilitates victims' and survivors’ access to justice.Behind every report there are human stories, Bell points out. “I did not want to leave”Viktor, 83, was among the thousands of people evacuated from the northern Kharkiv region during an offensive by Russian armed forces in May 2024. Residents described having to shelter in basements with no electricity for days or even weeks on end amid intense artillery shelling and aerial bombardments.Viktor said his house, just 2 km from the border, was destroyed by a bomb, which also injured one of his sons. Some fled with little more than a few bags of clothes, some carrying their pets. Many women arrived at government displacement centres wearing sandals and light summer dresses.“I stayed because it was my house. I did not want to leave,” said Viktor at an aid centre in Kharkiv city.Older people and people with disabilities face special difficulties when forced to evacuate, but Viktor managed to reach safety with the help of his granddaughter. “Leaving was a difficult decision. I am old and I have a hard time walking. I don’t know where I am going to live now.”During the offensive, HRMMU teams travelled to the field to conduct extensive interviews with people who had been evacuated from frontline areas. “I only took a suitcase with me”Lina’s eyes well up when she reminisces about her old life. “We had everything: good salaries, apartments, nice weather,” she said.Lina fled the city of Enerhodar, in southeastern Ukraine, after it was occupied by Russian forces.“I only took a suitcase with me. I had to leave my bed-ridden mother with a nurse and my brother,” said Lina.Her mother died in March 2023, but Lina is determined to keep the last promise she made to her.“I promised her that I would come back,” she said. “We thought it was going to be some months, but it has been more than two years.”Lina, who works in the city of Zaporizhzhia helping other Ukrainians who have fled occupied areas of Ukraine, described how residents there were under increasing pressure to obtain Russian passports to facilitate daily life.“Health services are not being provided for people with Ukrainian passports, so people are being forced to obtain Russian passports,” she said, adding that older persons and people with disabilities are the most affected.A recent HRMMU report detailed measures taken by the Russian Federation to apply Russian language, citizenship, laws, and education curricula in occupied territories of Ukraine, while suppressing expressions of Ukrainian culture and identity. “We had a beautiful house”“We had a beautiful house, with a big garden and bees, and we made our own honey. We were respected in our communities. But we had to leave everything behind. Why did this happen to us?” asked Polina.Polina, 67, and her husband Oleksandr, 65, are Ukrainian refugees living in Moldova. Both Polina and Oleksandr have heart problems, and left their village in Mykolaiv region, in southern Ukraine, after hiding in their basement with their grandchildren for five days while the village was being shelled by Russian forces.“The sounds of the bombs were very scary. It was horrible. A lot of buildings were destroyed. A bomb fell 40 metres from our house. We could hear the bombs from the basement. We thought the house could become our grave if a bomb fell on top of us,” said Polina, a former teacher.Fearing for their health, the couple decided to flee in April 2024. They now live in a small apartment in the capital Chisinau with their oldest grandson, Andrii, 16, who does repair jobs to help pay rent.“We came with no clothes for summer. We don’t know what will happen to us. Our grandson is here to help us, but we cannot afford the rent,” said Oleksandr, a former electrician.Millions of civilians have had to leave everything behind. Many are traumatised and need support, particularly vulnerable populations. A referral program by the UN Human Rights Office in Moldova that assists vulnerable refugees from Ukraine ensured that Polina and Oleksandr received medicines supplied by a local NGO.Polina and Oleksandr, who will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this October, say there has not been a single day in which they didn't dream of returning to their orchard, where they grew apricots, apples, peaches and plums and raised cows.“We miss our sons and grandchildren,” said Polina, showing a picture on her mobile of her smiling 14-months granddaughter. “The fields are contaminated with explosives”Few places have been as devasted as Ternovi Pody and its surrounding villages. There used to be 150 residents in Ternovi Pody, but today there are only eight.This once-thriving farming settlement, in the southern region of Mykolaiv, became a fierce battleground during the first months of the full-scale invasion in 2022. Most of the villages are now ghost towns, their houses and schools turned to rubble.“When we came back six months ago everything was destroyed,” said Oleksandr, 55.Oleksandr and his wife, Larysa, recently rebuilt the roof and are busy replanting their garden despite hearing explosions almost every day from the front line, 30 km away. Missiles sometimes fly over the area, fired from the opposite bank of the Dnieper River, and the buzz of military drones is constant.“The fields are contaminated with explosives. Every day we find explosives and ammunitions near the house,” said Larysa, 58.One elderly neighbour said she missed the village’s children. "We had schools. Now the children are gone," she said.Despite not having electricity, Oleksandr and Larysa are determined to stay.“I was born in this house and I want to live again in it,” he said.UN Human Rights staff travel near the front lines and meet daily with people in communities directly affected by the conflict.
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Press Release
21 November 2024
WHO and the World Bank launch new report assessing progress on health financing reforms implementation in Ukraine amid the war
Ukraine has maintained universal population coverage under the Program of Medical Guarantees (PMG), ensuring that all citizens and permanent residents can access health services included in the PMG improving protection against financial hardship from cost of healthcare. Central pooling of funds and their management by the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU) enabled continued financial coverage in territories affected by war that had lost their own locally generated revenues.Launched at a joint event in Kyiv, the report highlights the impact of the war on Ukraine’s health system and the challenging context in which health financing reforms continue to be implemented. This report is the third in a series of reports, jointly produced by WHO and the World Bank, assessing progress in reforming Ukraine’s health financing system since the reforms were launched in 2017.“Ukraine has sustained the universal health coverage through the Program of Medical Guarantees, ensuring that all citizens can access essential health services while strengthening protection against financial burden,” said Dr Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in Ukraine. "Through regional consultations, joined by local stakeholders across 10 Ukrainian oblasts, we have gathered local perspectives on the implementation of health financing reforms in Ukraine and explored ways forward. These consultations are crucial for tailoring health financing to meet regional needs, especially in frontline areas affected by the war. By adapting reforms to local contexts, we ensure that health systems not only remain functional but also play a vital role in supporting recovery where it is most needed."“Improving people’s health should be the main objective of health systems everywhere. This also includes making sure that we are protecting people from the often severe financial burden of out-of-pocket payments for medicines or other health costs,” said Dr Natasha Azzopardi Muscat, WHO/Europe’s Director of Country Health Policies and Systems at the launch event. “This new report shows that effective health financing is key to achieving these goals—efficiency, transparency, accountability, and most importantly, equity when it comes to ensuring affordable access to health care. As Ukraine’s health system continues to face extraordinary challenges, resilience and equity in health financing are more important than ever to provide everyone, everywhere with the care they need it, whenever they need it.”“It is encouraging to see the Government’s commitment to the ongoing implementation of these ambitious health sector reforms to increase the efficiency of Ukraine’s healthcare system,” said Bob Saum, World Bank Country Director for Eastern Europe. “In the context of challenging budgetary restraints, improving the efficiency of public financing for health is the only way to ensure that Ukraine can look after its people, whose healthcare needs are growing as a direct result of Russia’s invasion. The continued rollout of these reforms will also prove critical for the modernization of the health system in line with Ukraine’s ambition to join the European Union.” “The task, which Ukraine's healthcare system has been for almost three years now, is to combine the priorities of peaceful life with the challenges of war, ensuring that Ukrainians have universal access to quality, affordable, and free medical care. And our healthcare system is managing this task. In particular, thanks to changes in financing approaches, which allow us to be adaptive and flexible in decision-making. Despite the war, we continue implementing reforms: last year, we completed the formation of a capable network of healthcare facilities, allowing for more efficient use of available resources. The state budget for 2025 envisages a significant increase in healthcare spending: an additional 6.3 billion UAH will be directed to expand the “Affordable Medicines” Program and modernize medical infrastructure. The total amount of expenditures will exceed 217 billion UAH, of which more than 175.5 billion UAH will be allocated to finance the Program of Medical Guarantees, which is 16.8 billion UAH more than last year. Regular progress reports on the implementation of health financing reforms in Ukraine by WHO and the World Bank serve as a kind of compass, helping us understand whether we are moving in the right direction. The positive assessments I heard today motivate us to work even harder to strengthen the resilience of the healthcare system,” said Viktor Liashko, Minister of Health of Ukraine.The report highlights that health financing reforms, initiated in Ukraine in 2017 are on the right track. These reforms have played a critical role in strengthening the resilience of the health system during the COVID-19 pandemic and the war. The report underscores the importance of safeguarding public financing and investment in health, particularly in the challenging war context. Preserving human capital is essential for Ukraine’s long-term economic recovery and social cohesion.However, the fiscal space for government health spending will remain limited due to the war’s economic impact and the need to prioritize defense and security spending. Moving forward, health financing reforms need to prioritize efficiency of spending, maximizing health for the money while also emphasizing equity in access, financial protection against catastrophic out-of-pocket payments, and improving quality of services. The review recommends several policies and actions from a health financing toolkit to help take reforms forward, and improve health system performance across these key health financing objectives.Strengthening primary health care (PHC)Strong PHC is important for efficiency and equity of health system. The review recommends actions to make it easier for the people to sign-up and change their PHC providers, to support sustainable financing of PHC, implement incentives for improved performance, update clinical guidelines to improve quality and cost-effectiveness of care, provide additional measures to support PHC in the areas of high IDP concentration as well in war-affected areas with very low population. As PHC is the gateway to the rest of the health system for the population, the report highlights that Ukraine needs to build on its success of 86% of population having signed declarations with PHC providers and achieve universal registration. Internally displaced people require special attention to ensure their access to PHC as less than 20% of IDPs had changed their registration to a provider at their new location.Ensuring transparent and accountable institutionsThe report suggest that the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU) can step up policies and actions as a more proactive purchaser of services based on oblast level health needs assessments, increasing NHSU capacity in regional offices, consolidating purchasing of complex services in higher volume and better quality facilities while maintaining geographical access for population, and improving financial incentives for efficiency and quality.Strong, transparent and accountable institutions are crucial for reform success. The review recommends establishing a governance body for strategic oversight over PMG processes and NHSU performance; and, to revise regulations and internal procedures to ensure transparent, evidence-informed, formal and timely processes for decision making concerning the PMG. To be able to execute its functions properly, the NHSU needs to be adequately resourced beyond the current 0.11% of total PMG expenditures, 10 times less than in comparable European countries.The report also outlines policy considerations for Ukraine to "build back better," with a focus on modernizing health service delivery, optimizing hospital networks, and strengthening institutions.Background information:While developing the report, multiple discussions were held between WHO and the World Bank experts, including meetings held in Barcelona in October 2023, Kyiv in January 2024 and Vienna in April 2024. Additional technical consultations were organized with national authorities including the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the National Health Service of Ukraine and the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine.Additionally, WHO and the World Bank held regional roundtables in Odesa, Dnipro, and Kyiv in July 2024 to gather local insights on the implementation of the health financing reform in Ukraine. These regional consultations brought national and local policy-makers, primary health care and specialized care providers, and health facility owners from ten Ukrainian regions, including Odesa, Mykolaiv, Kherson, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Lviv, Rivne, Vinnytsia, Poltava to discuss primary and specialized care financing, the implementation of the Affordable Medicines Programme, and the role of the NHSU. Feedback from these discussions has been incorporated into this third joint health financing review - a series of reports, jointly produced by WHO and the World Bank, assessing the progress in health financing reforms, since their launch in Ukraine in 2017.Key takeaways from the consultations:The ongoing war impacts regions differently.Health financing adjustments are needed for more affected areas.Sufficient and equitable financing for PHC, including affordable medicines, delivers the best value for money.Developing a capable provider network is an opportunity for better quality and efficiency.Stronger NHSU interregional presence would enable more effective regional communication on health needs and provider capacities.The report has been produced with the financial support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation through the “Sustaining Health Sector Reform in Ukraine” project; the Government of Canada, and the European Union as part of the project “Health System Development in Ukraine” and within the Universal Health Coverage Partnership.To access the report, please follow the link.
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Press Release
18 November 2024
Ukraine: Türk condemns Russian attacks on energy network, renews call for Russian withdrawal
“These latest attacks on energy installations are yet another cruel blow to civilians who have already endured so much,” said Türk, noting that on Tuesday, Ukraine marks the grim milestone of 1,000 days since the Russian Federation launched its full-scale invasion.“A winter power shortage will place the health and well-being of civilians, particularly older people, those with disabilities, low-income families, and the internally displaced, at grave risk,” he added.Nine previous waves of attacks against Ukraine’s energy facilities had left millions of Ukrainians without electricity over the summer, and the country grappling with a projected energy shortfall as winter approaches.The High Commissioner again called on the Russian Federation to meet its international obligations under the UN Charter, the order of the International Court of Justice and other applicable law, and to cease immediately its armed attack and withdraw all of its military forces from Ukraine.“It has been 1,000 days too many of senseless pain and suffering since Russia’s full-scale armed attack on Ukraine began. Violations of human rights have become the order of the day, both in the conduct of hostilities and in areas under occupation,” said Türk. “Russia’s ongoing armed attack, as well as intensified collective efforts to end it. must remain a central focus of the global agenda.”At least 12,162 civilians have been killed since the Russian full-scale armed attack began on 24 February 2022 – among them 659 children. At least another 26,919 civilians have been injured.Ninety-two per cent of civilian casualties have been the result of the use of explosive weapons with wide area effects. Ukraine is also now one of the most heavily mined countries globally. Explosive remnants of war pose ongoing dangers for civilians and are hindering recovery efforts.Numerous towns – including Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Vovchansk – have been almost entirely destroyed. Across the country more than 662 medical facilities have been damaged or destroyed, limiting access to healthcare.According to the latest figures from the UN Human Rights Office’s Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, civilian deaths and injuries in the three months to the end of September this year were the highest recorded since July 2022. Close to 2,000 drones were launched by Russian forces into Ukraine in October alone – an average of more than 60 per day.The High Commissioner also expressed concern at the human rights situation in occupied parts of Ukraine. Russian forces now occupy around one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory, including Crimea and parts of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia.“Repression, violence and impunity have become more deeply entrenched in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, with residents living in a pervasive state of fear, marked by surveillance and undue restrictions on their rights to freedom of expression and movement,” he said.Ukrainian administrative, justice, education and other public sector systems have been systematically dismantled and replaced with Russian systems. The Ukrainian curriculum has been banned and replaced with the Russian curriculum, while young Ukrainians have been enrolled in youth organizations promoting patriotism to Russia.
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Press Release
18 November 2024
STOP UNCONSCIONABLE ATTACKS ON CIVILIANS AND CIVILIAN INFRASTRUCTURE
Unconscionable attacks by the Russian Armed Forces yesterday evening and today in the cities of Sumy and Odesa have killed and injured scores of civilians, including children. Residential areas were hit, destroying thousands of windows as temperatures are quickly dropping. These strikes follow the massive attacks on the energy infrastructure over the weekend, leaving already vulnerable civilians across the country to cope with power cuts and limited access to essential services like water supply and heating. Civilians and civilian infrastructure are protected by International Humanitarian Law and must never be hit. As we near a grim milestone of 1,000 days since the escalation of the war, the unbearable suffering endured by the people of Ukraine deepens. In recognizing their unbreakable resolve to overcome severe hardship, the continuous support of the international community is crucial for providing life-saving aid.
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Press Release
18 November 2024
1,000 days into Ukraine war, winter poses critical challenge to aid effort
Speaking in Geneva, Matthias Schmale described the anguish felt by Ukrainians as the war grinds on: “As we are not only approaching winter but also the sad 1,000-day mark since the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion in 2022, we are of course thinking of the more than 12,000 people who have been killed.”“To date, civilian infrastructure has been decimated with over 2,000 attacks now on healthcare facilities and two million damaged homes.”Almost four in 10 people in Ukraine need humanitarian assistance but one of the most pressing concerns is for people living in high-rise buildings who face their third consecutive freezing winter, because of “systematic attacks” on energy infrastructure.Living without heat“I am told that by now, 65 per cent of Ukraine's own energy production capacity has been destroyed,” Mr. Schmale said. Where possible, UN aid teams and partners deliver solid fuel and warm clothing to vulnerable communities, but the situation is more precarious for the “huge number” of people living in apartment buildings.“You can evidently not deliver a tonne of solid fuel to a high-rise building,” Mr. Schmale explained, adding “points of invincibility” - collective shelters in cities and towns that provide warm meals, a shower and a hot drink were welcome, but “not enough”.One of the veteran humanitarian’s biggest concerns is if the Russian forces target the energy sector again, as the weather turns bitterly cold.Mass displacement threat looms“It could be a tipping point forcing further mass displacement both inside the country and outside the country,” Mr. Schmale warned. “So, this is not just about technical solutions, it’s about urging the international community to do its bit to stop this war.”To date, the UN, national and international NGOs and volunteer organizations have reached 7.2 million people in Ukraine with at least one type of aid, thanks to the $1.8 billion received for the humanitarian response.To prepare for winter and address the emergency needs of 1.8 million people until March by delivering solid fuel, ensuring water systems continue to work and by providing cash relief, the UN and partners require $500 million.But the situation is dangerous on the frontline for communities and aid workers, nine of whom have been killed in the line of duty this year. Humanitarian facilities have also been damaged.Drone terror“Many people have told me on my visits that they feel civilians and civilian infrastructure and civil society are increasingly targeted by drone attacks; and drone attacks are terrible, I don’t need to describe that to you,” Mr. Schmale said, citing the testimonies of people describing being followed by drones.“Some of this is also psychological terror, because…you never quite know, will they strike or are they just observing?”Asked to assess how the new US administration might work to alleviate suffering in Ukraine, the UN aid coordinator highlighted the Secretary-General’s wish that the “significant” humanitarian support of the United States would continue. “They have been by far our biggest individual country supporter,” Mr. Schmale said.“The hope is that they understand like the present administration that there are huge humanitarian needs that need to continue to be addressed.”Source: UN news
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Press Release
13 November 2024
EU and UNDP restore Serhiivskyi Lyceum in Odesa Oblast, enabling students from 12 communities to attend school in person
While schools in nearby villages were forced to close due to the security situation, Serhiivskyi Lyceum, equipped with a shelter, has been providing in-person learning during the whole period since the full-scale invasion. Currently, more than 40 children from 11 neighbouring communities, deprived of access to education, are enrolled at the Lyceum.Since 2022, the school has suffered several times from blast waves and shelling affecting the roof, walls and third-floor classrooms. As a result, the students were studying in half-destroyed premises.The work to reconstruct Serhiivskyi Lyceum has included partially replacing the roof, windows and doors, and retrofitting the porch and facade. Classrooms, cabinets and toilets in one wing of the third floor have been fully repaired. The heating system has been renovated and LED lighting has been installed all over the school.All these efforts were conducted following the Build Back Better principle. This approach pays close attention to safety, inclusivity, environmental sustainability and energy efficiency standards. In addition to the repairs, Serhiivskyi Lyceum was re-equipped with new desks, chairs, blackboards and bookcases.“The European Union is deeply committed to ensuring access to education for children, especially in countries affected by war. For Ukraine and its young people, ensuring children's access to education is crucial for a better future. That is why the EU is continuing its humanitarian support to rehabilitate schools damaged by Russian attacks, creating safe and supportive spaces where Ukrainian children can continue to learn and thrive,” Marianna Franco, Head of the EU Humanitarian Aid Office in Ukraine, stressed.Jaco Cilliers, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, has highlighted the core principle for UNDP of leaving no one behind and the project priority of ensuring that children in Ukraine have access to education. “Our joint efforts under the EU4UASchools project have already returned more than 14,000 students and teachers to school. It is always a great delight to see how happy children, parents and educators are when entering refurbished facilities,” he said.BackgroundThe school was renovated as part of the “EU4UASchools: Build Back Better” project, which is being implemented by UNDP in Ukraine, with financial support from the EU.The project is intended to facilitate light repairs of 66 and re-equip 112 educational facilities in 11 oblasts of Ukraine: Zhytomyr, Dnipro, Mykolaiv, Rivne, Odesa, Zakarpattia, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy, Lviv, Kirovohrad and Poltava.Specific repairs are being made to damaged buildings – selected in consultation with Ukraine’s Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development – including light and medium repair works at schools with damage rates of or below 60 percent. Renovations include installation of new windows, repairs of roofs and sanitary facilities, reconstruction of shelters, and other urgent and critical work.Media enquiries: Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org
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