UNHCR has declared Ukraine a Level 3 emergency – the highest level we have.
In light of the rapidly evolving humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, UNHCR is working with authorities, UN agencies, internally displaced community groups and partners to provide humanitarian assistance wherever we can.
We are on the ground in Ukraine, and we will stay and deliver for those who need us for as long as we can.
Over 6 million
Refugees estimated to have fled to neighbouring countries since 24 February and rising
2.9 Million
People identified as in need of assistance in Ukraine before the recent events (source: 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan)
More than 8 Million
People estimated to be internally displaced in Ukraine
Last updated 17 May 2022 – Visit the Data Portal for more statistics
Hundreds of thousands of displaced people in Ukraine and across the region have received your support. Watch this Thank You video from Lviv and check the latest operational updates.
UNHCR’s response to the needs of refugees from Ukraine
The war against Ukraine has triggered one of the fastest-growing displacement and humanitarian crises on record. The intensity of the fighting continues to trigger fear and large-scale displacement inside Ukraine and to neighbouring countries, while simultaneously exacerbating the humanitarian needs of those who are internally displaced or remain in heavily affected areas. Since the launch of the military offensive on 24 February 2022, more than 8 million people have been internally displaced (IDPs) inside Ukraine while an estimated 13 million people remain in difficult to access areas.
We are helping and can do more in areas like protection and registration, organizing reception capacity, providing emergency relief and cash assistance, and in identifying and responding to the needs of the most vulnerable, many of them women and children, including a growing number of unaccompanied and separated children.
– Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees
As the number of refugees from Ukraine is rapidly increasing, we call for the support of the international community to ensure protection and assistance reach the most vulnerable population in their dire need. Please donate what you can.
What is happening in Ukraine?
An escalation of the situation and military offensive in February 2022 has turned an already volatile situation into a full-scale emergency. People are leaving their homes to try to find safety elsewhere within the country and are crossing borders into neighbouring countries. The situation remains extremely dangerous for anyone inside Ukraine.
🔵 For latest data, please visit our Data Portal
Even before recent events, Ukraine has been impacted by years of conflict and uncertainty. At the end of 2021, almost three million people in Ukraine needed humanitarian support, including more than 850,000 people were displaced by conflict.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has been working in Ukraine since 1994, alongside local authorities, partners and community organizations to deliver protection and humanitarian assistance to people in need and remains on the ground to help now.
What is UNHCR doing to help?
We have stockpiles of aid, cash and other means to help people forced to flee and provided that humanitarian access and safety is granted, our staff are ready to deliver. More core relief items such as blankets, sleeping mats and emergency shelters are on their way and we are ready to provide cash assistance so that displaced people can purchase necessary items such as food and medicine. We are also scaling up our specialist protection services to identify people in need of particular assistance, such as children travelling alone and people with disabilities.
We have reinforced our operations in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries, sending more resources, staff and stockpiles. We are working with the authorities in countries that are welcoming refugees from Ukraine and stand ready to support reception facilities and reinforce additional capacity and supplies to find solutions for those forced to flee.
We remain firmly committed to protect and help all affected populations in Ukraine and countries in the region — but we need urgent support to scale up our response.
UNHCR is accepting Expressions of Interest for the provision of standard and non-standard core relief items. Interested parties may view the general conditions for contracts on the provision of goods here.