ICRC Update: Armed conflict in Ukraine, after two years

Ukraine remains the largest ICRC operation in 2024. The ICRC's main priority has been to assist and to protect people affected by the devastating effects of the international armed conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, with a focus on the most vulnerable communities, including on both sides of front-line areas.
The ICRC has been providing critical emergency relief in some of the most affected or hard-to-reach areas, to both resident communities and internally displaced persons (IDP). It has been working with central and local authorities, as well as with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS), to ensure the provision of essential services such as cash, livelihood, or healthcare. At the same time, the ICRC has been supporting the functioning and repair of essential infrastructure, in particular the production and delivery of water, heating, and electricity. Living and housing conditions of civilians have been improved, while communities, Red Cross volunteers and civil servants have been made aware of risk-mitigation measures linked to weapon contamination. Respect of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) has been a constant concern for the ICRC, in order to preserve the safety, physical integrity and dignity of those affected by the armed conflict, including civilians, prisoners of war (PoW), separated families and deceased or missing persons.
Thanks to the collaboration between the Geneva-based Central Tracing Agency Bureau (CTA B) and the National Information Bureau (NIB) in Russia and Ukraine, thousands of families have received information about their detained or missing relatives. Meanwhile, in spite of persistent challenges in terms of access, the ICRC has been the only international organization allowed to visit POWs held by the two parties to the armed conflict. In coordination with the Commissioner for Missing Persons in Special Circumstances, the ICRC has also facilitated the repatriation of hundreds of fallen Ukrainian servicemen. The ICRC does not only closely cooperate with the URCS, but also with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the 17 National Societies present in the country to respond to the needs of affected communities and support the capacity-building and independent humanitarian action of the URCS.
Between January and December 2023:
- 4,800,000+ have access to or improved access to essential services (water, heating and electricity) through the support that the ICRC provided to utility service providers.
- 350,000+ people received a total of UAH 2.7 billion (CHF 69 million) in cash assistance to cover their varying needs.
- 260,000 were donated to help the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) in improving the food security and living conditions of people affected by the international armed conflict.
- 20 educational facilities were provided with first-aid kits and teachers also received first-aid training conducted by URCS.
- 5,700 first aid kits were donated to the National Police, essential services providers, educational institutions, and the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS). The ICRC also provide them with first aid training.
- 762 items i.e generators, transformers and motor pumps were donated to various institutions including hospitals, places of detention and utility providers.
- 296,000+ were reached through the ICRC’s online channels about the risks of explosive remnants of war and tips to practice safe behaviour.
- 72,000+ medical consultations were provided by the URCS to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and people living in areas heavily impacted by the armed conflict through the 29 mobile health units supported by the ICRC.

Whilst the needs are immense, we can address them by acting together. We will continue to do our utmost to help protect and assist people affected by the international armed conflict and beyond.