The rapidly deteriorating situation in Ukraine is forcing an increasing number of people to flee their homes.
As of today, more than 6.9 million refugees have fled Ukraine, making this the fastest growing refugee crisis since World War II.
A further 7 million people have been displaced internally within Ukraine. Some 13 million people are estimated to be stranded in affected areas or unable to leave due to heightened security risks, destruction of bridges and roads, as well as lack of resources or information on where to find safety and accommodation.
UNHCR is working with the authorities, UN and other partners in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries to scale up assistance as needed and to respond to any situation of forced displacement.
UNHCR staff are on the ground in Ukraine and are committed to stay and deliver assistance when and where access and security allow. Our teams have scaled up their presence and operations in central and western Ukraine, where conditions enable more humanitarian access, and where needs are also growing.
We are delivering aid and support to people forced to flee. Inside Ukraine, UNHCR has been delivering core relief items such as blankets, sleeping mats and emergency shelters, and more supplies are on their way. We also have specialist protection services set up to identify people in need of particular assistance, such as children travelling alone and people with disabilities.
In neighbouring countries, UNHCR has been sending emergency experts and stockpiles of essential supplies such as thermal blankets and sleeping mats, for distribution to refugees as well as convoys into Ukraine for distribution to those internally displaced. UNHCR is present at border areas and reception centres to help identify and provide dedicated care to the most vulnerable refugees and set up helplines and information materials.
UNHCR with partners is setting up the ‘Blue Dots’, safe spaces providing protection services for children, families and others with specific needs, in support of existing services and government efforts. We are also working closely with the authorities to support reception facilities for newly arriving refugees, as well as rolling out emergency cash assistance in some neighbouring countries.
We remain firmly committed to protect and help all affected populations in Ukraine and countries in the region. The response of donors from both the private and public sectors, as well as the welcome that refugees have received from neighbouring countries is outstanding - but even more support is needed to provide the growing number of people forced to flee with the assistance they need to recover from their trauma and start to rebuild their lives.
