THE SITUATION
In the weeks after the onset of conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, the country’s humanitarian situation surpassed even the direst predictions. Neighbouring countries are seeing huge refugee influxes, largely women and children.
Over the past two years, the escalation of the war in Ukraine has resulted in a devastating toll on the civilian population. Over 11,000 people have lost their lives while over 4.6 million registered as internally displaced. Another 6.3 million people had to flee Ukraine as refugees. Today, 14.6 million people in the country require humanitarian assistance, which represents 40% of the population. The war’s damage has cost the country nearly $155 billion.
For Ukrainian refugees and internally displaced people, the most urgent needs are clean water, hygiene products, shelter and protection from violence, including gender-based and conflict-related. Increasingly, people are in need of financial support to rent housing, repair damaged property or pay for medical services. In addition to the ongoing conflict, other major challenges for displaced families include cold weather, power outages and access to healthcare, especially for women, the elderly and people with disabilities.
HOW WE ARE RESPONDING
CARE is supporting the most at-risk Ukrainians, particularly women-headed households and the elderly.
CARE and our partners are working in Ukraine and regionally across Poland, Romania and Moldova to address the humanitarian needs of Ukranian people, including providing shelter, items such as mattresses and blankets, hygiene items, health and psychosocial support and protection, with a particular focus on women, girls, and the elderly. CARE works with internally displaced people in Ukraine and refugees and host communities in neighbouring countries.
In addition, CARE has spearheaded a cash-for-work program that employs Ukrainian teachers in Polish schools to keep Ukrainian children in school.
Over the past two years, CARE’s programs have reached nearly 1.3 million people in Ukraine.
