In 2024, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs of the United Nations (OCHA) requested $4.2 billion in humanitarian assistance for Ukraine.
As the conflict in Ukraine, instigated by Russia’s invasion, approaches its second anniversary, the United Nations agency urged donors on Monday to furnish the necessary funds to aid Ukrainian communities and refugees.
UN humanitarian operations chief Martin Griffiths said, “Hundreds of thousands of youngsters live in combat zones. They are terrified, traumatized, and deprived of their most fundamental needs.”
“By this fact, we ought to be obligated to make every effort to deliver additional humanitarian aid to Ukraine.”
“Residences, schools, hospitals, water, gas, and power systems are all repeatedly struck,” he added. “At its core, society is threatened with catastrophic results.”
OCHA proposes $3.1 billion to help 8.5 million people in urgent humanitarian need this year. The United Nations agency also requests $1.1 billion to aid the 2.3 million Ukrainian refugees and their host communities.
OCHA was awarded only 67% of the $3.9 billion requested via appeal in the previous year. It has stated that its appeal for Ukraine in 2024 has been reduced in light of other urgently funding-required humanitarian crises worldwide, including those in Gaza and Sudan.
“There is no doubt that competition for funding is intensifying,” Griffiths stated. “The competition for funding will become more intense in 2024 compared to 2023.”
Millions torn apart
Due to Russia’s invasion and attacks, OCHA estimates that more than 14.6 million people will require humanitarian assistance this year. This represents 40 percent of Ukraine’s population.
Since the beginning of the conflict, OCHA humanitarian convoys have been unable to access front-line communities in the east and south of the country, including territories occupied by Russia, where more than 3.3 million of these people reside.
Griffiths stated, “We maintain dialogue with the Russian government regarding how we can gain access to those individuals who are arguably in the greatest peril, given that it has been two years since any genuine, dependable, consistent, and efficient humanitarian assistance has been delivered to them.”
Ukrainian refugees in neighboring countries, according to the United Nations, “also require increased and sustained support.”
40% to 60% are employed, but “many continue to be vulnerable without the means to support themselves,” the research says. Additionally, only 50% of school-aged refugee children are enrolled in school.
Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, 6.3 million people have fled abroad. According to OCHA, four million individuals, including roughly one million children, are still displaced within the country.
“Host nations continue to provide protection and integrate vulnerable refugees into society, but many continue to require assistance,” said Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for migrants.
“Lack of financial means in exile should not pressure them to return.”
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