Ukraine

Since the beginning of 2014, the Donbass region has been a battleground, leading to the division of the territory into areas controlled by the Ukrainian government and those not controlled. Before the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, about 55% of the population in the occupied territories, approximately 1.6 million people, required humanitarian assistance.

The Russian invasion triggered a humanitarian crisis of even more alarming proportions with mass displacements, severe human rights violations, irreparable damage to infrastructure, and leaving at least 24 million people in urgent need of aid and protection.

Over two years since the war began, the local population lives in precarious conditions, with ongoing civilian evacuations, especially in the regions most affected by bombings.

The conflict has caused a profound economic and social crisis due to limited access to basic services. According to the latest Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment by the World Bank (February 2022 – February 2023), direct damages in Ukraine have exceeded $135 billion, particularly affecting the housing, transport, energy, trade, and industry sectors. Interruptions in economic flows and production, as well as additional war-related expenses, amount to about $290 billion. Ukraine’s GDP decreased by 29.2 percent in 2022, and poverty increased from 5.5 percent to 24.1 percent in 2022. Employment dropped by 30%, with a drastic increase in inflation, further exacerbating humanitarian needs. Reconstruction and recovery needs are estimated at about $411 billion.

Systematic attacks on infrastructure have disrupted vital services such as water supply, electricity, healthcare, and education. Additionally, severe incidents like the destruction of the Kakhovka dam by Russian bombing in June 2023 caused floods, displacing thousands and leaving hundreds of thousands without access to drinking water.

The Climate Conference on June 7, 2023, highlighted the environmental and climatic damage caused by massive bombings, which increased water and soil pollution and aggravated risks due to the widespread presence of nuclear power plants.

According to OCHA’s 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan, nearly 18 million people in Ukraine need immediate assistance, over 4.3 million children have been forced to flee their homes, and internally displaced persons exceed 5 million.

The crisis has differentially impacted the population, with intersectional impacts based on gender, age, disability, and minority status. Women face increased professional and caregiving responsibilities and threats of gender-based violence. Marginalized groups, people with disabilities, and people with HIV/AIDS are particularly at risk of exclusion and exploitation.

The war has left invisible scars with millions of people suffering from acute stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and increased substance abuse.