About the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine
In the weeks after the onset of conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, the country’s humanitarian situation surpassed even the direst predictions. Neighboring countries are seeing huge refugee influxes, largely women and children.
Over the past two years, the escalation 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.
Even prior to the invasion, years of conflict in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine had left 2.9 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and displaced 1.5 million people from their homes.
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.
Where have Ukrainians fled the conflict?
Poland is a primary destination for people fleeing conflict in Ukraine, and the Polish government has set up reception centers and hospitals near crossing points on the 300-mile border. Romania has nearly 2 million refugees. Other neighboring countries receiving refugees include Moldova, Hungary, Slovakia, and Belarus.
