Humanitarian situation in Ukraine
Key Points:
- 14.6 million people in need
- 3.6 million internally displaced persons
- 6 million refugees in European countries
- Over 122,000 cases of war crimes
- 2,000 children injured or deceased
Displacement and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine
Ukraine has been experiencing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis since the full-scale invasion began in 2022. The conflict has triggered an unprecedented mass displacement in recent European history. By the end of 2023, approximately 3.7 million Ukrainians were internally displaced within their own country, while over 6 million had fled to neighboring European countries, creating one of the fastest-growing refugee crises in recent decades.
The destructive force of the war has inflicted significant damage on Ukraine’s vital infrastructure. Essential services such as healthcare, education, and water supply have been severely compromised, leaving millions without access to basic needs. The agricultural sector, a crucial economic pillar, has been devastated. Vast areas of fertile land are contaminated with mines, threatening food security on both a national and global level.
Civilians have borne the brunt of the conflict. Those living near the front lines face constant threats of violence, exposed to indiscriminate shelling and targeted attacks. Even those who have managed to escape the immediate war zone remain vulnerable to ongoing Russian airstrikes. The psychological toll of such prolonged exposure to violence is immeasurable.
The cumulative impact of these factors has created a humanitarian catastrophe. Millions of Ukrainians are in a state of extreme vulnerability, their lives upended and their futures uncertain. Humanitarian aid has become a lifeline for countless individuals and families, but the scale of the crisis far exceeds the available resources.
Obstacles to humanitarian aid
Delivering humanitarian aid in Ukraine has proven to be an immense challenge. The United Nations reported a severe funding crisis in late May 2024, with only 25% of the required funds secured for the year. This critical shortage of funding has significantly hampered the ability of humanitarian organizations to address the growing needs of the Ukrainian population.
Humanitarian workers operating in Ukraine face perilous conditions. Intense fighting, particularly concentrated in the regions of Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Kherson, has greatly restricted access to affected populations. The dangerous conditions are underscored by the 19 security incidents reported in 2024 alone, resulting in the tragic deaths of two humanitarian workers and injuries to others.
Attacks on humanitarian assets and facilities have further complicated the situation. Essential infrastructure, such as warehouses, offices, and transportation, has been damaged or destroyed, disrupting supply chains and hindering the delivery of aid. These attacks have occurred throughout the country, from frontline areas to relatively safer regions, highlighting the pervasive threat to humanitarian operations.
Bureaucratic obstacles have also hindered the effectiveness of aid delivery. Complex permit requirements and movement restrictions have slowed down convoys and limited access to vulnerable populations. These administrative barriers have added to the immense challenges faced by humanitarian organizations striving to reach those in need.
Impact on Children
Ukrainian children have become tragic symbols of the war’s brutality. Since the escalation of the conflict in 2022, nearly 2,000 children have been killed or injured, according to the United Nations. These heartbreaking numbers highlight the devastating impact of the war on the most vulnerable members of society.
Beyond the immediate physical harm, the psychological trauma inflicted on children has been profound. Exposure to violence, the loss of loved ones, and displacement have led to a mental health crisis among the young. Numerous cases of sleep disorders, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) underscore the urgent need for specialized psychological support services. UNICEF has warned of a “lost generation” if urgent measures are not taken to improve the psychological well-being of Ukrainian children.
The conflict has also created an orphan crisis. More than 5,000 children have lost both parents, leaving them without the essential protection of a family. These children face a particularly bleak future, with increased risks of exploitation, trafficking, and homelessness.
Education, a fundamental right for every child, has been severely disrupted. The closure of schools for safety reasons has forced millions of students to rely on online learning. Although commendable efforts have been made to provide distance education, it cannot fully replace the benefits of in-person learning, particularly social interaction and access to essential support services. The long-term consequences of this disruption to education for Ukrainian children remain to be seen, but they are likely to be significant.
Public health crisis
The Ukrainian healthcare system is on the verge of collapse due to the relentless assault on the country. Since the large-scale invasion began in 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) has verified over 1,000 attacks on healthcare facilities, making Ukraine the most targeted country for such attacks in recorded history. These assaults have resulted in deaths and injuries among medical staff and patients and the destruction of essential medical infrastructure.
The deliberate targeting of healthcare facilities is a grave violation of international humanitarian law. It has forced countless healthcare centers to shut their doors, disrupting essential services for millions of Ukrainians. The combination of physical destruction and the displacement of healthcare professionals has led to a severe shortage of healthcare workers, exacerbating the crisis.
Beyond physical damage, the war has taken a heavy psychological toll on the population. Millions of Ukrainians are grappling with mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression. The constant fear of violence, the loss of loved ones, and uncertainty about the future have created a widespread mental health crisis. The WHO has emphasized the urgent need to strengthen mental health services to address this growing problem.
The situation worsened in the first quarter of 2024 with a series of attacks on critical infrastructure, including power plants. These attacks plunged the country into darkness, severely affecting healthcare facilities that rely on electricity for essential medical equipment. The lack of power disrupted surgeries, hindered patient monitoring, and compromised the storage of vital medications.
Economic collapse and refugee crisis
The war in Ukraine has triggered a catastrophic economic collapse with dramatic consequences for the civilian population. The World Bank estimates that Ukraine’s GDP fell by 30% in 2022, and the situation continues to deteriorate. The destruction of essential infrastructure, including factories, transportation networks, and energy facilities, has paralyzed the economy, leading to massive unemployment and widespread poverty.
Due to the conflict, millions of Ukrainians have been forced to flee their homes, either within the country or to neighboring countries. While more than 4.7 million internally displaced people have returned home, 3.7 million remain displaced within Ukraine, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). These individuals often face limited access to essential services, employment opportunities, and social support networks, exacerbating their vulnerability and dependence on humanitarian aid.
The exodus of over 6 million Ukrainian refugees, primarily women and children, to neighboring countries has placed enormous pressure on host nations. Poland, Romania, and Moldova have been the most affected by this refugee crisis. These refugees face multiple challenges, including housing, access to healthcare, education, and employment.
Quick Donation
Since 2014, AMCFU has been tirelessly providing medical and humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian population, particularly in regions heavily affected by the war. We strive to improve living conditions and deliver essential assistance to the most vulnerable groups.
AMCFU sends ambulances, specialized medical equipment, and emergency care supplies, as well as European-standard medications, in collaboration with paramedics and doctors from France and Ukraine. The aid is distributed to hospitals with the most urgent needs.
