Ukraine

When the conflict between Ukraine and Russia intensified in February 2022, HI deployed a multi-sector emergency response in several regions of western and eastern Ukraine. Today, more than 40% of the Ukrainian population is in need of humanitarian aid.

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09/03/2022. Przemysl, Poland. Galaina Mama Gala, 87 years old, crosses the border from Ukraine to Poland at the Medyka crossing. | © T. Nicholson / HI

In Ukraine, HI has identified the principal humanitarian needs and launched projects in several sectors to meet the needs of people affected by the war, particularly the wounded and displaced and people with disabilities.

HI responds to the most urgent needs of populations affected by the conflict by providing direct physical and functional rehabilitation services, together with cash transfers, while advocating for a humanitarian response that incorporates the specific needs of people with disabilities.

This conflict will have a lasting effect on the population. HI is already providing psychosocial and mental health support to vulnerable people, but an estimated 10 million people are likely to need psychosocial support as a result of conflict-related trauma.

HI is also training and supervising medical staff to strengthen the capacity of several Ukrainian hospitals.

HI is providing risk education activities to community representatives and local populations to raise awareness of the risks posed by explosive devices and the dangers of shelling. This is the case, for example, in eastern Ukraine, one of the most contaminated regions in the country.

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Background

In 2014, the conflict between government forces and pro-independence movements in Ukraine led to chronic insecurity in several regions of the country.

The conflict was triggered by mass protests in Kiev and other Ukrainian cities at the end of 2013, leading to the fall of President Yanukovych in February 2014. Today, Ukraine is still the most mine-contaminated country in the world.

Since 24 February 2022, when the conflict between Ukraine and Russia intensified, cities across the country have been the target of devastating weapons strikes.

In the current conflict, civilians remain the hardest hit by the daily air strikes and bombings, with more than 22,000 civilian casualties so far: almost 9,000 dead and more than 14,000 wounded. Almost 18 million people will need multi-sector humanitarian aid in 2023, including more than 6 million internally displaced people, 5 million returnees and the 7 million people who stayed at home throughout the war.

Civil infrastructure has been severely damaged, limiting access to electricity, telecommunications, food, water, heating and medical care. People are more vulnerable because of reduced access to essential services. An estimated 10 million people will need psychosocial support as a result of conflict-related trauma.