3.7 million people remained displaced within Ukraine and 6.3 million Ukrainians remained abroad, having fled the war as refugees and asylum-seekers.
The war disrupted basic services and livelihoods, damaged infrastructure, and contaminated a vast agricultural region with mines. Civilians living close to the frontlines were exposed to daily hostilities. Even after fleeing, they remained at risk from indiscriminate air strikes. The hostilities, large-scale destruction, disruption of the economy and social services have left millions dependent on humanitarian aid.
In Ukraine, UNHCR is working in complementarity with Government programmes, providing urgent humanitarian assistance to 2.6 million people. 1.5 million people are receiving protection support such as legal assistance, information on rights and entitlements, psychosocial support, child protection services and support in relation to gender-based violence.
UNHCR is delivering cash assistance to nearly 900,000 vulnerable newly displaced people and returnees in 22 regions. People in frontline and hard-to-reach areas urgently need basic items for cooking, bedding, warmth and hygiene, and UNHCR is contributing to 95 inter-agency humanitarian convoys to supply such items to over 575,000 people while shifting towards providing cash assistance rather than goods wherever possible.
UNHCR also provided winterization assistance to over 900,000 people, including cash top-ups, relief items, and care in collective sites. Emergency shelter and sustainable housing support was provided to over 247,000 war-affected people, returnees and internally displaced people (IDPs), helping to repair damaged homes and infrastructure. The need for winter items will be renewed in 2024, with harsh winter conditions making situations even more challenging.
We are inspired by the resilience and determination of the people from Ukraine. They have endured years of living in constant fear of air strikes and missiles; years of dreadful uncertainty about their and their loved ones' safety; years of terrible deprivation as the economic impact of the conflict has intensified.
We rely on your generosity to continue providing essential, life-saving relief to people whose lives have been shattered by the war.
Your support continues to make a huge difference to those who have been forced to flee and from all of us at UNHCR, thank you for your solidarity and support.