©UNHCR/Iryna Tymchyshyn
16 August 2024 – The Government of the Republic of Korea has contributed $14.1 million to critical humanitarian, protection and recovery programmes by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in Ukraine, Poland and Hungary. This funding will help UNHCR provide crucial assistance and services to people forced to flee and affected by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Support for displaced and war-affected people in Ukraine
An important contribution of $8 million from the Republic of Korea will support UNHCR’s humanitarian and recovery programmes inside Ukraine. These funds are extremely timely in light of the growing needs and concerns about people’s ability to stay warm in the coming winter, due to extensive destruction of civilian and energy infrastructure across Ukraine.
With the support from the Government of the Republic of Korea, UNHCR will be able to assist those made most vulnerable by the full-scale war with cash assistance and repairs of damaged homes. UNHCR will also support the rehabilitation of collective sites hosting those displaced, basic infrastructure and public services severely disrupted by the ongoing war. Furthermore, UNHCR will help pursue sustainable solutions for internally displaced and war-affected people and returnees by, for example, providing micro-business grants, access to vocational skills, and re-qualification training to help them achieve self-reliance.
‘’Russia’s full-scale invasion has forced almost one-third of Ukraine’s population to flee from their homes, in what is currently one of the world’s largest human displacement crises. Korea’s contribution is vital for UNHCR to continue supporting the most vulnerable of them with house repairs, cash assistance, and improvement of living conditions in collective sites hosting internally displaced people. Most of them are people with disabilities and older people, who often lack the capacity to find private accommodation’’ emphasized Karolina Lindholm Billing, UNHCR Representative in Ukraine.
Support for refugees in Poland
The Republic of Korea has also contributed $5 million to support UNHCR’s efforts to assist refugees from Ukraine in Poland. This funding will help enhance the socio-economic inclusion of refugees, supporting them to gain access to employment, financial services, affordable housing, and childcare.
‘’More than two years since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, Korea remains one of our key donors in supporting refugees. Now focusing on building human capital, this funding will assist refugees to develop the skills and knowledge needed to rebuild their lives, whether in Poland or back home once conditions allow’’ said Kevin J. Allen, UNHCR Representative in Poland.
At the onset of the crisis in February 2022, Korea was amongst the first donors to support UNHCR’s emergency response, enabling a rapid and effective cash programme for newly arrived refugees from Ukraine.
Referring to Korea’s continuous support, Hoon-min Lim, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Poland, emphasized that “Korean people understand very well the importance of protection and investment in human capital in the times of crisis, which are crucial and necessary for long-term development”. He also appreciated the Polish Government and Polish people for their solidarity and support towards refugees from Ukraine, as well as humanitarian organizations, such as UNHCR, for all the activities they have carried out and will carry out in the future.
Support for refugees in Hungary
Korea has also contributed $1.1 million to sustain UNHCR’s response to refugees from Ukraine in Hungary. This funding allows UNHCR and its partners to address the increasingly complex needs of refugees, including those with disabilities and Romani people.
Nicole Epting, UNHCR Representative for Central Europe, highlighted Korea’s firm support, noting that “this funding will help provide essential services such as child protection and help create a safe environment for survivors of gender-based violence, while also enhancing community cohesion, and overall socio-economic inclusion of refugees’’. UNHCR’s efforts in Hungary include networking with private sector actors, promoting good practices for refugee employment, and with other local partners to provide complex case management, psychosocial support, and language courses.
‘’The Korean government is committed to supporting Ukrainians suffering from the war. The Korean government has increased the official development assistance budget to its largest ever, to cooperate with global partners, and to fulfill its roles and responsibilities as a global pivotal state’’, said Kyu Dok Hong, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Hungary.
Global impact of Korean support
The Republic of Korea is a vital global supporter of UNHCR, with significant contributions from both government and private sources. In 2024 alone, Korea has substantially increased its support, with over $39 million contributed as of July 2024. This funding helps UNHCR respond rapidly to growing humanitarian needs worldwide, both in underfunded crises and when new emergencies arise. This is crucial at a time when over 120 million people have been forced to flee their homes due to war, violence, and persecution globally – the highest number recorded in history.
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