Latest
Press Release
17 May 2024
UN RESIDENT COORDINATOR IN UKRAINE, DENISE BROWN, MESSAGE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA, BIPHOBIA AND TRANSPHOBIA
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Press Release
16 May 2024
THE SAFETY OF CIVILIANS MUST BE ENSURED. THEY ARE NOT A TARGET.
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Speech
14 May 2024
Ukraine: Concern at plight of civilians and intensified Russian 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:
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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Press Release
07 March 2024
UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine, Denise Brown, message for the International Women’s Day
THEY INSPIRE ME
The women of Ukraine, their determination, have truly inspired and encouraged me since the day I arrived in this country. In each and every one of my many travels across Ukraine, whether it is to a war-torn community close to the front line or a town in the West where people fleeing the horrors of Russia’s invasion sought refuge, I see and hear stories of determination, hope and solidarity led by strong Ukrainian women. I am a witness to the fact that women in Ukraine – at all levels – refuse to give up and are relentless in their work to promote a better future for their country. I have been inspired by women in leadership positions, both at the national Government and local level, like the women representatives I met in front-line towns like Kherson, Mylove or Orikhiv, who spare no effort and overcome tremendous challenges to bring some relief to their communities torn apart by the war. It motivates me to see that women are the backbone of the humanitarian response and work non-stop to help their communities under extreme hardship, like the doctor I met in Siversk, in the Donetsk Region. Despite all the risks, she decided to stay there, fearing not the bombs and missiles but the fact that it would be, otherwise, almost impossible for people in her community to access health care. I met so many mothers who had to learn how to support their children who could no longer go to school, at the same time as, with compassion, caring for the sick, the disabled, the elderly and filling the gaps left by a social system massively disrupted by the war.I met in Kramatorsk, Kharkiv and Uzhhorod so many fierce and inspiring women leading organizations and movements advocating for the rights of the people of Ukraine, and striving to ensure no one is left behind, particularly the most vulnerable, including people with disabilities, the Roma or LGBTQIA+ community. And again, they are taking up these massive challenges at a time when they face higher levels of unemployment, a larger and persistent gender pay gap, heightened risk of gender-based violence and obstacles to accessing essential services.Women are as important at the decision-making tables as they are at the frontlines of their communities. For this reason, the UN is committed to continuing our efforts to support them and create platforms at different levels to ensure women have a leading role in Ukraine’s economic and social recovery.
The women of Ukraine, their determination, have truly inspired and encouraged me since the day I arrived in this country. In each and every one of my many travels across Ukraine, whether it is to a war-torn community close to the front line or a town in the West where people fleeing the horrors of Russia’s invasion sought refuge, I see and hear stories of determination, hope and solidarity led by strong Ukrainian women. I am a witness to the fact that women in Ukraine – at all levels – refuse to give up and are relentless in their work to promote a better future for their country. I have been inspired by women in leadership positions, both at the national Government and local level, like the women representatives I met in front-line towns like Kherson, Mylove or Orikhiv, who spare no effort and overcome tremendous challenges to bring some relief to their communities torn apart by the war. It motivates me to see that women are the backbone of the humanitarian response and work non-stop to help their communities under extreme hardship, like the doctor I met in Siversk, in the Donetsk Region. Despite all the risks, she decided to stay there, fearing not the bombs and missiles but the fact that it would be, otherwise, almost impossible for people in her community to access health care. I met so many mothers who had to learn how to support their children who could no longer go to school, at the same time as, with compassion, caring for the sick, the disabled, the elderly and filling the gaps left by a social system massively disrupted by the war.I met in Kramatorsk, Kharkiv and Uzhhorod so many fierce and inspiring women leading organizations and movements advocating for the rights of the people of Ukraine, and striving to ensure no one is left behind, particularly the most vulnerable, including people with disabilities, the Roma or LGBTQIA+ community. And again, they are taking up these massive challenges at a time when they face higher levels of unemployment, a larger and persistent gender pay gap, heightened risk of gender-based violence and obstacles to accessing essential services.Women are as important at the decision-making tables as they are at the frontlines of their communities. For this reason, the UN is committed to continuing our efforts to support them and create platforms at different levels to ensure women have a leading role in Ukraine’s economic and social recovery.
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Speech
15 February 2024
Remarks by the Head of the UN in Ukraine, Denise Brown, during the launch of the third Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment
I stood here in exact same spot last year when we launched the RDNA2, with the same actors, the Prime Minister of Ukraine, the European Union and the World Bank.
I was thinking this morning about what I said then, and I made the point that no one wants to live in a collective centre. People want to return home, be in their communities, send their kids to school, have easy access to health care, and walk down the street to the market. And mainly live without the fear and trauma that war creates.
What I said one year ago is still true and we see it every day: Ukrainians are determined to return to their lives pre-war with their eyes on the future.
That is a big challenge for the 4.5 million internally displaced persons in Ukraine and the 5.9 million people who fled across borders to seek safety and refuge in Europe.
Missile strikes in communities along the front line and beyond, as we saw this morning, including here in Kyiv, almost every day, make that recovery a challenge. The reality is, and I see it all the time, that displacement and collective centres remain an unfortunate reality for millions of Ukrainians. Hospitals, schools, and ports continue to be attacked, damaged and destroyed.
And, I think most horrifically, civilians killed, injured and maimed, including children, which is what we saw yesterday again in the Donetsk Region.
I know the RDNA3 reports it – the UN contributed, there is a great partnership with the Government, the European Union and the World Bank – and I also have what I know from my missions throughout the country that, for the moment – and it is in the report but hasn’t been mentioned yet – humanitarian assistance and recovery are going to have to co-exist for quite some time. And our challenge is linking one to the other.
Humanitarian assistance remains a lifeline for millions of Ukrainians who, because of the war, as I said many times already, can't yet go home or those who remain in their homes along the front-line communities because their life has no meaning anywhere else. And despite their daily struggles, what I heard so many times from those people is that their life has purpose and their life has dignity, no matter how difficult it is.
I really want to emphasize that the Government, the United Nations, the international and national NGOs, local volunteers, the regional and local authorities, we have created a vast network that allow us to respond when a missile strikes a community, for the displaced to provide them with daily support, for the disabled… And in the report you will heart that the number of disabled in the country has grown over 7 per cent since we launched the RDNA 2. And the support for the elderly. So that network provides this assistance.
In Bilozerka, where I was about 10 days ago, and in Kherson, where I was this past Monday, people continue to depend on that assistance. So, the reality is that, again, humanitarian assistance and recovery have to co-exist.
And I really want to thank the donors because your support allowed us collectively to provide 11 million people with assistance in 2023.
But what is that vital step beyond humanitarian assistance, where possible?
For the UN, and in the report this year, you will really see the focus is community recovery.
In Izium, in Mykolaiv, in Sumy, and outside of Kyiv in Ivankiv, the people and the authorities are now well positioned, the conditions are in place to move beyond humanitarian assistance, and take back their lives.
Based on the leadership of local authorities, based on community-determined priorities, civil society engagement, the inclusion of women – not just inclusion of women but inclusion as decision-makers –, the disabled – again whose numbers have grown – and minority communities such as the Roma – I was in Uzhhorod last week and spent some time with them – so when the conditions are there, including security, recovery is taking place.
Social services have been re-established; schools built with bunkers – we heard that 90 per cent of children are registered, not necessarily attending but registered for schools –; hospitals and clinics reconstructed; roads and bridges repaired; agricultural land and critical social infrastructure demined; and small businesses reopened, and many of those small ones are women-owned.
This will have to happen community by community. And the numbers in the report, as you will hear and see when we have the presentation, those are very big numbers, a little bit overwhelming.
But the restoring back is really going to take place in the communities.
I was thinking about Mykolaiv. When I first was there in September 2022, there was no electricity, the water tasted like salt, and most of the people had left. I was there this past weekend, and it is a city that can be lived in now and people have returned.
The RDNA 3 is the documentation of the damage and needs that drives national prioritization and the financial mechanisms. But this year, in that report, we are also focusing on recovery and the human capital.
Behind the numbers is the critical need to ensure that Ukraine has the people with the right skills and capacity to take back their lives, and recover – across the country, not just in part of the country – what was lost.
I just want to finish by saying that the war is fought by the people of Ukraine.
The impact of the war is felt every single day by the people of Ukraine.
And the recovery of the country will depend on the people of Ukraine, with our support. And while we are not pleased that we have to have another RDNA, as Gevorg said, at least we have a document that will drive the priorities, determine the financial requirements, and allow us, all the partners, to align behind the common objectives.
Thank you very much.
***
For more information, refer to the Press Release.
***
For more information, refer to the Press Release.
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Press Release
28 February 2024
Russian Federation’s decade-long occupation of Crimea marked by widespread violations
In a report issued today, HRMMU said the Russian Federation has unlawfully imposed its citizenship, laws, and institutions on Crimea’s population across all spheres of life, suppressing opposition and dissent. The report cites examples of steps taken by the Russian Federation to restrict the civic space and limit fundamental freedoms. Crimean Tatar leaders, perceived as opposing the occupation of Crimea or the Russian Federation policies, were among those particularly affected by the measures. While Crimean Tatars, who fled the peninsula in the wake of the illegal annexation, have been barred from returning to their homeland, many Russians have been resettled in Crimea, in an apparent attempt to change the peninsula’s demographic structure. Large-scale expropriations of public and private property have been implemented without compensation or regard for international law.“Over the past decade, we have documented efforts by the Russian Federation to impose the Russian language, culture, and institutional framework on Crimea while at the same time taking actions to erase the peninsula’s rich cultural, linguistic, and religious heritage,” said the head of HRMMU, Danielle Bell.The report says opposition to the efforts by the Russian Federation to consolidate its hold on Crimea has been met with harsh reprisals. Individuals who opposed or challenged the occupation were subjected to human rights violations, including enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment. HRMMU says it documented 104 cases of enforced disappearance and 55 cases of torture affecting pro-Ukrainian activists, journalists and Crimean Tatars.The occupying authorities in Crimea have suppressed freedom of expression, including the expressions of minority cultures and identities, and severely curtailed the freedom of religion of minority groups, particularly those opposing official narratives, the report said.“Our findings on the human rights situation in Crimea, which has endured Russian occupation for more than a decade now, are not only alarming but they are also a grim harbinger of the devastating and lasting impact Russian occupation may have on other occupied regions of Ukraine,” said Bell.
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Story
19 February 2024
Aid workers go the extra mile for Oleksandr
"I desperately needed simple things – to do shopping, to cook food, to maintain hygiene. I also needed surgery that couldn't be performed in our town." In October 2023, Oleksandr suffered an injury unrelated to the war that rendered him almost immobile and in need of urgent hip replacement surgery. However, the ongoing war in Ukraine, particularly fierce in the south and east, had disrupted local service providers, including health facilities and public transport. Residents with a disability, trauma or illness were in a dire situation, unable to access essential services.
"The relentless hostilities in areas close to the front lines, particularly in the east and the south of the country, have severely affected civilian infrastructure and disrupted public transportation," says Yevhen Kaplin, Head of Humanitarian Mission Proliska. “Social transport is a lifeline.”
Humanitarian Mission Proliska is just one of the many humanitarian organizations that stepped in after recognizing the urgent need for assistance in regions devastated by the war. It offers social transportation services – a lifeline for people stranded in front-line towns.
"I was referred to the humanitarian organization [Humanitarian Mission Proliska],” Oleksandr explains, a glimmer of hope in his voice.
This referral marked a turning point in his quest for aid. Within a few days, he was on his way to Uzhhorod, located 1,200 km to the west of Ukraine, to receive proper medical care and support.
Proliska has offered social transport services since 2022, with support from the OCHA-managed Humanitarian Fund for Ukraine. It helped Oleksandr in every way possible.
For example, when he needed blood during surgery, the organization’s staff donated their blood without hesitation. "The blood was urgently needed for an older person, so I made the decision to contribute. If one can easily help, why not?” explains Proliska staff member Artem Bakalo. “Moreover, I have experience as a blood donor and frequently donate, especially given the ongoing war and the high demand for surgeries." Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, protection partners have provided evacuation and social transportation support to about 1.2 million people. In 2023, they assisted more than 170,000 people – 60 per cent of whom were older people and people with disabilities.
For example, when he needed blood during surgery, the organization’s staff donated their blood without hesitation. "The blood was urgently needed for an older person, so I made the decision to contribute. If one can easily help, why not?” explains Proliska staff member Artem Bakalo. “Moreover, I have experience as a blood donor and frequently donate, especially given the ongoing war and the high demand for surgeries." Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, protection partners have provided evacuation and social transportation support to about 1.2 million people. In 2023, they assisted more than 170,000 people – 60 per cent of whom were older people and people with disabilities.
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Story
01 May 2024
Winter aid brings warmth to war-affected people
As spring brings warm temperatures to Ukraine, Olha, a mother of three, reflects on the past winter with gratitude for the support received. Last year, the family was forced to flee their hometown in eastern Ukraine due to intense hostilities that devastated residential areas and caused civilian casualties. Fortunately, Olha found a new home and refuge in Kozylivka Village, Chernihiv Region, in the north of the country, through an online advertisement of a family willing to donate their homes to displaced people. But recalling the state of their new home, Olha describes it as dismal: "The building had been uninhabited for some time and was in poor condition. Cracks appeared in the old wooden window frames, letting the wind and rain inside. I worried that we wouldn't be able to keep the house warm during the cold." However, their situation improved when they received assistance through OCHA's implementing partner agency ZOA, funded by the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund, as part of a winter response project. "The aid workers installed new windows and provided us with firewood," Olha says with a smile. "So, we could enjoy the comfort and safety of our new home this winter." The onset of Ukraine’s winter conditions – which usually start around October and last until late March – added another layer of vulnerability in a country where nearly 14.6 million people need aid, according to the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2024. “Freezing winter months are already extremely challenging for people to survive, let alone when their homes and critical civilian infrastructure constantly come under fire,” explains Sarah Hilding der Weduwen, Head of OCHA Ukraine. More than 110 aid organizations developed a joint Winter Response Plan to alleviate people’s hardships, ensuring they were not left to endure the harsh winter alone. Six months since the plan’s inception, it has aided more than 2 million Ukrainians, one of whom is Olha. The regions nearest to the front line received the most assistance, as they are bearing the brunt of relentless hostilities, widespread destruction, job losses and restricted access to essential services. This aid was particularly directed towards regions accommodating the largest number of displaced people, notably the Dnipro, Donetsk and Kharkiv Regions. More than 900,000 people received cash and in-kind support, including fuel; more than 400,000 people received winter supplies, such as blankets and sleeping bags; and some 300,000 people received winter clothes. Over 400,000 people benefited from humanitarians’ support for district heating systems, and around 60,000 people received feed or livestock to ensure food security. Sites hosting people fleeing violence were supported with insulation and other refurbishments. The Winter Response Plan complements the Government’s efforts, and requests for assistance are already pouring in for the coming winter. Ms. Hilding der Weduwen added: “Attacks on energy infrastructure weakened the already plummeted energy system of Ukraine, which may lead to dire consequences for people when temperatures drop below -20°C next year. To help Ukrainians survive the next harsh winter, we must act now.”
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Story
02 May 2024
Ukraine partners with UNODC in implementing the PACE.UA Programme to support Prison Services
In April 2024, UNODC in close collaboration with the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine and with the generous support of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, initiated a new programme aimed at enhancing the effectiveness, crisis preparedness and response capacity of the State Penitentiary Service while ensuring compliance with international and European prison standards.This initiative, named the Penitentiary Assistance in Response to the Armed Conflict and Emergency Needs in Ukraine (PACE.UA), will operate from April 2024 to December 2025 in partnership with the state counterparts, civil society organizations and various international and national partners. The official launch of the PACE.UA took place on 24 April 2024 during a joint meeting involving the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, the Department for the Execution of Criminal Punishment and the Penitentiary Academy of Ukraine. Derived from assessments conducted during 2023 and feedback gathered from government officials, civil society organizations, and subject matter experts, UNODC conducted a series of engagements in 2023 to provide support to the Ukrainian government, shaping the foundation of the PACE.UA Programme. Navigating challenges and managing emergencies in prisonsThe negative impact of the ongoing war severely deteriorates prison conditions and hinders the State Penitentiary Service’s ability to ensure continued security, safety and essential provision, aggravated by the critical shortages of energy, heating, water supplies and essential items such as generators, clothing, bedding, sanitary items and medical supplies. During the launch ceremony, national counterparts reaffirmed the urgent need to mitigate the war’s severe effects on prisons, their management and the treatment of prisoners and probation clients. They highlighted the imperative for institutional capacity-building in the Penitentiary and Probation Services to support the Ministry of Justice in harmonising its practices with international and European standards, ensuring effective implementation of the emergency relief measures and crisis preparedness.In response to these pressing national, the PACE.UA Programme is dedicated to strengthening the operational capacity, crisis responsiveness and compliance of the State Penitentiary Service with the Nelson Mandela Rules. A Joint Action Plan for the implementation of the programme was signed, outlining the following objectives:Aligning the State Penitentiary Service operations with international and European standards for the treatment of prisoners, and Strengthening the institutional resilience of the State Penitentiary Service to proactively address and swiftly respond to existing and potential future disruptions and other emergency requirements in prisons Ms. Olena Vysotska, Deputy Minister of Justice of Ukraine, embraced the new initiative designed to support Ukraine’s penitentiary system during armed conflict and commented:“The penitentiary system of Ukraine has been significantly affected over the past two years and requires immediate action for restoration and future development. We urgently need highly specialized expertise to assist us in achieving our shared goal of ensuring the protection of human rights. We greatly appreciate the support of UNODC and the Government of Germany, and we extend our best wishes for the success of the future programme.”Ms. Harsheth Virk, Head of the UNODC Programme Office for Ukraine acknowledged the Ministry of Justice's commendable efforts in the penitentiary sphere, underscoring the significance of addressing the unique challenges and security threats in the context of armed conflict and emergencies. Emphasizing the program's comprehensive approach to addressing these obstacles through capacity-building activities, rehabilitation efforts, and infrastructure improvements, she noted:“This new program represents the culmination of our collaborative efforts over the past year, and UNODC is delighted to have this opportunity to support the Ukrainian government in the area of penitentiary reform.”Ms. Virk thanked the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany for their support and expressed confidence that the programme will enhance the institutional capacity of Ukraine's penitentiary system to go through the challenging times and effectively address emergency requirements in prisons."In the face of unexpected circumstances, the implementation of the Nelson Mandela Rules demands resilience. However, with the collective support and collaboration of our national and international partners, we hold steadfast confidence in achieving success and making a positive change," Yevhen Silic and Galyna Zhytnyk (Prison Service of Ukraine).
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Story
30 April 2024
UN Ukraine Annual Recovery Results Report 2023
In 2023, the UN in Ukraine scaled up its support to recovery efforts across the country, implementing over US$500 million worth of initiatives and programmes ranging from supporting small businesses, repairing homes, schools, and hospitals to building new energy infrastructure and beyond. This is more than twice the previous year’s amount and brings the total expenditure to nearly $703 million since the UN started the implementation of the Transitional Framework in September 2022.Throughout the year, the UN and partners ensured the installation of new heating, water, and energy infrastructure that served 6 million people; supported more than 2,100 small and medium businesses; repaired nearly 1,000 schools; trained almost 320,000 people with skills to help them find new jobs; cleared almost 200,000 metres2 of land of mines, explosives and debris; in addition to providing essential services, including primary health care to over 5.1 million women and children. To support long-term recovery, the UN further provided integrated policy advice and technical assistance to the Government, local authorities, communities and civil society organizations, including women-led groups on issues such as environment, agriculture, access to justice, human rights and gender equality.The work was possible thanks to donors who contributed, between 2022 and 2023, nearly $1.1 billion of the total $1.9 billion the UN requested for our recovery programmes in Ukraine. In 2024, more support is required to enable the UN to continue implementing activities to promote inclusive community recovery and investments in human capital, ensuring that all people in Ukraine can contribute to and benefit from recovery efforts.
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Story
04 April 2024
War in Ukraine: How a demining project is bringing hope to farmers two years on
By Niema Abdelmageed, Antoine Vallas and Elizabeth BryantWinter has cast an icy grip over the eastern Ukrainian village of Kamianka. But not so long ago, residents Volodymyr Korniich and his wife Liudmyla would have been looking ahead to spring planting. Over nearly a quarter century, the couple has slowly expanded their farming business, growing a mix of grains, vegetables and watermelon, and raising chickens, cows and pigs. But today, their work has ground to a halt. Not because of the harsh weather, but because of landmines. “In this village, we can only feel safe in our own yard,” says Korniich. “When you go outside, there is danger waiting for you.”As Ukraine enters its third year of war, the country has outstripped Afghanistan and Syria to become the most heavily mined in the world. Roughly 25,000 sq km of agricultural land are potentially strewn with mines and other dangerous debris from the conflict, which have so far killed and maimed hundreds of people. Beyond the risk to human lives, landmines are threatening this agricultural powerhouse that has long been a top grain exporter, contributing to pushing up global grain prices – and poverty. Smallholder farmers like Korniich – responsible for the vast majority of milk, cattle, fruit and vegetable production in the country and accounting for three-quarters of its food-producing labour force – are especially threatened. Many have halted or reduced their production, and almost all are surviving on dwindling revenues. But today, a small section of Korniich’s land has been cleared, thanks to a joint demining project run by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with support from the Geneva-based NGO Fondation Suisse de Déminage. Focusing on smallholders like Korniich who cultivate less than 300 hectares of land – along with rural families growing crops for their own consumption – the programme is initially being rolled out in the eastern Kharkiv region, with plans to expand to two of Ukraine’s other top farming regions, Mykolaiv and Kherson. “By restoring mined land to productive use, we can help restore agricultural livelihoods – and, in doing so, phase out the need for humanitarian assistance for thousands of rural families,” says Marianne Ward, WFP Ukraine Country Director ad interim. More jobs, new hopesThe WFP-FAO demining project is being carried out in close cooperation with rural communities and the Ukrainian authorities, as part of a broader government effort to clear vast swathes of contaminated land. The goal and the price tag are daunting: the World Bank estimates the cost could exceed $US37 billion. But demining also brings major financial returns. The smallholder-focused project alone could potentially save up to US$60 million in direct food assistance to rural communities – like those living in Kamianka – who struggle to afford food and other basic necessities. “Demining will ensure access to land for many families who cultivate crops for their own consumption, but also for farmers who sell their produce for a living,” says Maselskiy Ivanovych, who heads the Izium local administration that includes Kamianka. “This can provide jobs, but also increase the budget of territorial communities in the district.”The WFP-FAO project uses satellite imagery to map out potentially mined land, then dispatches specialized teams to survey and clear it – prioritizing productive areas that can be quickly and safely restored. FAO also assesses specific needs of households and offers financial assistance to participants left destitute by the war.“This is an opportunity to save those villages in Ukraine that are devastated and destroyed and return a breath of life to them,” says Nina Yarosh, WFP Programme Policy Officer in Kharkiv. In Kamianka, many of Korniich’s neighbours have left the village for safer places. Others have become war casualties. “We have people who were wounded,” he says, “people without hope. And people who already lost hope that it would ever be safe to walk here.”Those who remain are living with dwindling resources. Korniich’s family lives without heat, electricity or gas. One of his three farm labourers left. Yet today, friends and neighbours displaced by the war are calling him to ask about the progress of the demining, eager to return. “They told me, ‘Volodia, I will be cultivating, I will rebuild here. I don’t want to leave anymore',” he says. Another local farmer, Tetiiana Lukianko, was evacuated from Kamianka early into the war. She returned home last March. “I found two grenades in my cellar, one in the yard, and one more in the flower garden,” she says. Lukianko is also on the list for the WFP-FAO demining project. Despite the ongoing conflict, she is hopeful about the future. “I believe the village will revive,” she says. “It’s a very beautiful village.” WFP’s mine action project to restore rural livelihoods in Ukraine is funded by Croatia, the Czech Republic, the European Union, Finland, France, Norway, Poland, Private donors and the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund (UHF).
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Story
14 March 2024
Hot meals and bomb shelters: In Ukraine, wartime school meals offer nourishment and security
It’s 10:15 am at Velyka Mykhailivka’s primary school, in Ukraine’s southern Odesa region, where around 100 young faces aged six to ten are lining up at the canteen to receive their daily meal. The smell of pea soup wafting from the kitchen makes it hard to stay still and respect teachers’ orders to wash hands before sitting down. Over the past week, this village has witnessed seven air raid alarms lasting nearly eight hours in total. The surrounding area borders the sea, which is constantly contested. Port infrastructure has been repeatedly targeted by missiles, while attacks on cities and villages are also very common. Residents take the air raid alerts seriously. Each time they sound means rockets or drones carrying explosive charges are approaching. Despite the danger, approximately 6,000 people reside in the village. This lyceum is one of 700 schools supported by the World Food Programme’s (WFP) school feeding programme, which helps provide daily nutritious meals to 100,000 children in Ukraine. Besides the pea soup, today’s school menu offers pasta with meat. The children also receive compote (a drink made from fresh or frozen fruits or berries) and bananas. One meal at this school this year would have cost $1.29 (50 hryvnias) per day. Accordingly, a month of meals for one child would have cost approximately $26. That’s a hefty sum for struggling families in Ukraine, where the minimum salary is the equivalent of $US185. “It’s hard to explain to little children why someone goes to lunch and someone doesn’t,” says maths teacher Natalia Kravchenko, the school’s principal. “This especially applies to children from disadvantaged or poor families … whose parents cannot afford to pay for meals.“So we’re very glad,” she adds, “that our school participates in the World Food Programme’s school feeding initiative.”Kravchenko has been managing this school for 18 years. She has known it for much longer. She started as a first grade pupil in 1977, when the school first opened. Her main goal during the war has been to maintain as normal a life as possible for the children. During air alarms, the students are taken to a shelter in the school’s basement. But the basement cannot accommodate all students at once, so Kravchenko decided to split classes into two shifts to keep everyone safe: elementary school pupils start at 8 a.m.; their high school peers begin at 11:30 a.m. The latter are divided into two groups, alternating between in-person and remote learning every week. Maria, a first grader, has already finished her pea soup – her favorite dish – while Dasha, her classmate, tells us she prefers the pasta. Roman, Maria’s father, works as a sports coach at the school. Finding jobs in the village is tough. There are few businesses – or plans for any new ones– because of the uncertainty of the war and regular air raids. So most job opportunities are found in public institutions like schools, hospitals, and the village council. “Both my wife and I have jobs,” he says – Maria’s mum, Yaroslava, works at another school.“But we are the lucky ones,” adds Roman. “There are children whose parents cannot afford to buy them a banana, an orange, or an apple.” Managing children’s school schedules is a complicated juggling act for parents - made more complicated by the conflict. Six-year-old Dasha wakes up at 6:30 a.m, her mother Oksana says, leaving little time to give her breakfast. “One child is in elementary school, the other in high school, and I also have a job,” Oksana adds. “Sometimes, I come home, and I ask her, ‘Dasha, will you eat?’ and she says, ‘No, I already ate at school, they have such delicious cutlets and fish there!’ And I understand that my child is eating healthy food at school, while I’m saving a significant portion of the family budget.” The WFP school meals programme covers 30 percent of the cost of daily hot meals for children in grades 1-4. This helps to ease the financial burden on parents, especially those who are barely scraping by.In February, thanks to WFP support, a hot meal at this school costs students’ families only 16 kopiykas — far less than a single US penny. With cheaper lunches, 125 pupils are now eating at the canteen, compared to 90 at the start of the year.The daily meals also bring a much-needed sense of routine, stability, and normalcy in this time of war. Many of the school’s pupils and their families were displaced by the fighting. They are rebuilding lives here that could again fall apart at a moment’s notice.“If it weren't for the war, we would already be planning for a second child,” says Maria's father, Roman. “But the situation here is complex. With Transnistria just 30km away, fighting could erupt at any moment. So, my car is always fueled, and our belongings are packed, just in case we need to flee.” Funding for WFP school feeding in Ukraine was provided by the French government, and Mastercard, WFP’s longstanding partner of 12 years. Mastercard has supported WFP’s efforts to provide school meals to vulnerable communities worldwide, and their early funding for school feeding in Ukraine has helped ensure that children like Maria and Dasha can receive a daily hot meal.
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Press Release
17 May 2024
UN RESIDENT COORDINATOR IN UKRAINE, DENISE BROWN, MESSAGE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA, BIPHOBIA AND TRANSPHOBIA
On this International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, the UN in Ukraine celebrates the Ukrainian LGBTIQ+ community and human rights defenders who are working tirelessly to promote and build a future where equality, freedom and respect for the human rights and dignity of all members of society are a reality.The theme of this international day ‘Leave No One Behind: Equality, Freedom and Justice for All’ is a strong reminder to all of us that all Ukrainians, in all their diversities, including the LGBTIQ+ community must have equal rights in civil, political, social, and cultural aspects of life. LGBTIQ+ people are also volunteers, teachers, doctors, activists, fundraisers, and aid workers who are taking upon themselves the huge task of supporting the people of Ukraine whose lives have been upended by Russia’s invasion.Despite undeniable progress, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer people still face persistent discrimination, violence, and marginalization here and across the world. Russia’s invasion has heightened the challenges, particularly for those living in occupied territories. LGBTQI+ people were forced into displacement, faced more obstacles in accessing essential services and were exposed to increased risk of violence, including conflict-related sexual violence. Even during these difficult times, Ukraine has taken necessary steps to strengthen the legal framework to recognize and protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, including legislative initiatives to address discrimination and hate crimes and to recognize same-sex partnerships. On behalf of the UN in Ukraine, I commend these initiatives and strongly encourage Ukrainian lawmakers to make every effort to approve these national laws that recognize same-sex relationships and diverse gender identities. Ukrainian prosperous and peaceful future must be one where discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity has no place.The UN is also determined to also continue ensuring that our programmes in Ukraine, either humanitarian aid or projects to promote recovery from the devastation caused by the war, take into consideration the specific needs of all Ukrainian people, including the LGBTIQ+ community. We are working to ensure no one is left behind in Ukraine’s journey towards recovery.But breaking all barriers to ending marginalization, injustice, discrimination, and violence requires a collective effort. We will continue working shoulder-to-shoulder with the Ukrainian people, civil society organizations, and the Government to build a world of peace, respect, dignity, and human rights.****Statement issued by Denise Brown, UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine, on behalf of all UN agencies and entities in Ukraine.
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Press Release
16 May 2024
THE SAFETY OF CIVILIANS MUST BE ENSURED. THEY ARE NOT A TARGET.
Today, additional devastating news, this time in Kherson City, where dozens of civilians, including two children, suffered injuries from strikes. Homes and an education facility were hit yet again in this war-ravaged city. This comes a day after I came back from Kharkiv, where I saw the appalling consequences of the intensified attacks by the Russian Federation's Armed Forces on thousands of people who had to flee for their lives, leaving everything they own behind. Many are older people who fear they will never be able to go back. The humanitarian community is working tirelessly to support people amid this human tragedy.International humanitarian law must be respected. The safety of civilians, homes, schools and hospitals must be ensured. They are not a target.
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Press Release
10 May 2024
FORUM TO FOSTER AN INCLUSIVE AND COMMUNITY-DRIVEN RECOVERY OF UKRAINE BRINGS TOGETHER NEARLY 500 PEOPLE IN KYIV TODAY
Organized by the Government of Ukraine, the Government of Germany, and the United Nations, the forum marked an important milestone towards the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin, scheduled for June 2024, offering communities across Ukraine the opportunity to identify recommendations for the upcoming discussions. Although Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to cause immense human suffering, death and widespread destruction, the Ukrainian people have taken upon themselves the colossal task of ensuring their communities can get back on their feet and recover from the massive impact of the war. The Government of Ukraine is leading this process. Throughout the day, the forum discussed ways to enhance collaboration between government, civil society, and development partners, as well as promoting social inclusion and cohesion within communities. From rebuilding infrastructure to promoting gender equality, combating discrimination, and advancing economic recovery, participants showcased their remarkable commitment to building a brighter future for Ukraine. Amongst other discussions, the group stressed the need for and presented examples of initiatives to ensure that the voices of women, people with disabilities, and marginalized groups – including the Roma and LGBTQI+ community are heard, and their specific needs are taken into consideration.UN's support to recovery in UkraineIn 2023, the UN in Ukraine scaled up its support to recovery efforts across the country, implementing over US$500 million worth of initiatives and programmes ranging from supporting small businesses, repairing homes, schools, and hospitals to building new energy infrastructure and beyond. This is more than twice the previous year’s amount and brings the total expenditure to nearly $703 million since the UN started the implementation of the Transitional Framework in September 2022.Throughout the year, the UN and partners ensured the installation of new heating, water, and energy infrastructure that served 6 million people; supported more than 2,100 small and medium businesses; repaired nearly 1,000 schools; trained almost 320,000 people with skills to help them find new jobs; cleared almost 200,000 square metres of land of mines, explosives and debris; in addition to providing essential services, including primary health care to over 5.1 million women and children. To support long-term recovery, the UN further provided integrated policy advice and technical assistance to the Government, local authorities, communities and civil society organizations, including women-led groups on issues such as environment, agriculture, access to justice, human rights and gender equality.The work was possible thanks to donors who contributed, between 2022 and 2023, nearly $1.1 billion of the total $1.9 billion the UN requested for our recovery programmes in Ukraine.
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Press Release
10 May 2024
FORUM TO FOSTER AN INCLUSIVE AND COMMUNITY-DRIVEN RECOVERY OF UKRAINE BRINGS TOGETHER NEARLY 500 PEOPLE IN KYIV TODAY
Organized by the Government of Ukraine, the Government of Germany, and the United Nations, the forum marked an important milestone towards the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin, scheduled for June 2024, offering communities across Ukraine the opportunity to identify recommendations for the upcoming discussions. Although Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to cause immense human suffering, death and widespread destruction, the Ukrainian people have taken upon themselves the colossal task of ensuring their communities can get back on their feet and recover from the massive impact of the war. The Government of Ukraine is leading this process. Throughout the day, the forum discussed ways to enhance collaboration between government, civil society, and development partners, as well as promoting social inclusion and cohesion within communities. From rebuilding infrastructure to promoting gender equality, combating discrimination, and advancing economic recovery, participants showcased their remarkable commitment to building a brighter future for Ukraine. Amongst other discussions, the group stressed the need for and presented examples of initiatives to ensure that the voices of women, people with disabilities, and marginalized groups – including the Roma and LGBTQI+ community are heard, and their specific needs are taken into consideration.UN's support to recovery in UkraineIn 2023, the UN in Ukraine scaled up its support to recovery efforts across the country, implementing over US$500 million worth of initiatives and programmes ranging from supporting small businesses, repairing homes, schools, and hospitals to building new energy infrastructure and beyond. This is more than twice the previous year’s amount and brings the total expenditure to nearly $703 million since the UN started the implementation of the Transitional Framework in September 2022.Throughout the year, the UN and partners ensured the installation of new heating, water, and energy infrastructure that served 6 million people; supported more than 2,100 small and medium businesses; repaired nearly 1,000 schools; trained almost 320,000 people with skills to help them find new jobs; cleared almost 200,000 metres2 of land of mines, explosives and debris; in addition to providing essential services, including primary health care to over 5.1 million women and children. To support long-term recovery, the UN further provided integrated policy advice and technical assistance to the Government, local authorities, communities and civil society organizations, including women-led groups on issues such as environment, agriculture, access to justice, human rights and gender equality.The work was possible thanks to donors who contributed, between 2022 and 2023, nearly $1.1 billion of the total $1.9 billion the UN requested for our recovery programmes in Ukraine.
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Press Release
09 May 2024
UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine remarks to the Second Annual International Summit of Cities & Regions
"The humanitarian situation in Ukraine is deteriorating because of the heavy and escalating hostilities that are ravaging front-line communities. This new intensification of Russian attacks has a direct and immediate impact on the people of Ukraine. People have to flee, their homes are destroyed, their communities are bombed.As we provide emergency assistance in front-line areas, we are also moving towards recovery in some of the regions of Ukraine where the situation allows. It means we go beyond bringing supplies to provide services. And we are working closely with the Government to ensure that the national systems, which were already strong but suffered the impact of the war, become stronger to help communities recover from the devastation caused by Russia’s invasion."Denise Brown
UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine / Humanitarian Coordinator
UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine / Humanitarian Coordinator
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