The United Nations has issued a compelling appeal, seeking $4.2 billion in funds to provide crucial assistance to individuals in Ukraine and those displaced beyond its borders in 2024. Highlighting the dire circumstances faced by those on the front lines, the United Nations emphasizes the exhaustion of meager resources and the vulnerability of many refugees affected by the ongoing conflict.
Out of the total appeal, approximately $3.1 billion is earmarked to support 8.5 million individuals within Ukraine, where the devastating civilian cost of the war has become increasingly apparent. The remaining $1.1 billion is urgently sought to aid refugees and host communities located outside Ukraine, emphasizing the widespread impact of the conflict on displaced populations.
The recent surge in attacks has underscored the severe toll on civilians caught in the crossfire of the conflict. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the U.N. refugee agency, in a joint statement from Geneva, emphasized the urgent requirement for humanitarian aid, especially in light of the harsh winter conditions exacerbating the situation.
Amidst reports of massive Russian barrages, which included over 500 drones and missiles fired between December 29 and January 2, the consequences of the Ukrainian conflict nearly two years ago are evident. The U.N. reports that 14.6 million people within Ukraine require humanitarian assistance, while approximately 6.3 million have fled the country, becoming refugees.
The humanitarian chief of the U.N., Martin Griffiths, expressed deep concern for the hundreds of thousands of children living in frontline communities. These children, terrified, traumatized, and deprived of basic needs, highlight the urgency of increased humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. Homes, schools, and hospitals are consistently targeted, further exacerbating the already dire situation.
The appeal recognizes the challenges faced by Ukrainian refugees in neighboring countries, stressing the need for enhanced and sustained support. A concerning statistic reveals that only half of school-age refugee children are enrolled in schools, with employment rates ranging between 40-60%, leaving many vulnerable with no means to support themselves.
While donors covered 67% of the previous year’s appeal for $3.9 billion for people within Ukraine, the humanitarian chief acknowledged the intensifying competition for funding due to crises in other parts of the world. Despite the challenges, Griffiths emphasized the importance of maintaining focus on the people of Ukraine and ensuring that they receive the necessary attention and support amidst the global humanitarian landscape.
