This is a summary of what was said by Kelly T. Clements, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
© UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Kelly T. Clements visits North Saltivka in Kharkiv © UNHCR/Iryna Tymchyshyn
GENEVA – As we approach next week’s grim mark of 1,000 days since the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the needs of civilians are growing amid intense attacks and as another gruelling winter season sets in.
Russia’s destruction of energy infrastructure has led to an overall loss of 65 per cent of energy generation capacity in recent months, and the attacks continue, disrupting electricity, heating and water supplies.
The deepening emotional toll on innocent people became clear during my visit to the country last week; the intense attacks on critical infrastructure and civilian sites – and constant air-raid warnings – are exacting a grave toll on physical and mental health.
Since August, some 170,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in the east, with many evacuated from areas experiencing hostilities, joining the nearly 4 million who remain displaced within Ukraine and 6.7 million more who have sought refuge outside the country. This includes 400,000 new refugees who crossed into Europe from the beginning of 2024 to August 2024 to seek safety from the war and bombs.
In Kharkiv, one of the most war-affected regions of the country, explosions sounded in the background as we visited a collective centre supported by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. There, I met Svitlana, a 65-year-old woman whose apartment was destroyed by a glide bomb weeks before. Her quiet determination was a powerful reminder of Ukraine’s spirit, even as the trauma of war permeates daily life.
Uzhhorod, near the borders with Hungary and Slovakia, has been spared direct attacks so far, but the area hosts hundreds of thousands of displaced people, and its capacity to host more, particularly those with specific needs, is increasingly strained.
Countless children continue their studies online, missing out on social interaction and classroom experiences. In places like Kharkiv, children study in underground shelters to avoid frequent, disruptive air raids. These “metro” schools lack natural light and playgrounds.
The visit coincided with the season’s first snow, a stark reminder of the looming hardships as the full-scale war enters its third winter. So much more needs to be done to help civilians survive the months ahead as energy facilities and other civil structures continue to be hit. Now is not the time for partners to turn away.
UNHCR’s appeal responding to the humanitarian needs of war-affected and displaced people in Ukraine and refugees from Ukraine in the region seeks $1 billion for 2024 and is just over half funded.
Amid the ruins of war, there are some signs of hope.
Our work with the Government of Ukraine is strong at all levels, enabling us to support the humanitarian response as well as rebuilding efforts across the country. The Government has been leading humanitarian and recovery efforts with impressive speed. Local responders quickly clear rubble and board up strike sites, symbolizing Ukraine’s strength and determination.
Working closely with UN and NGO partners, UNHCR has adapted swiftly to Ukraine’s volatile environment – and the scale and pace of the emergency – blending emergency aid and long-term recovery efforts. From the very start, we have worked with a focus on solutions, and we have piloted new approaches like emergency cash assistance, housing interventions and micro-grants to help people regain independence and contribute even as the war continues.
For some, resilience has turned into new ventures. Olena, a mother from Kharkiv, started a car wash business with UNHCR’s support, providing stability for her family. Inna, another displaced woman, began a tailoring business in Zakarpattia, training local Roma women, creating community ties and sharing her skills. In the Kyiv region, Liudmyla had rebuilt her home with UNHCR’s help after it was destroyed. She is rebuilding her life – and now raises geese – smiling through the pain.
The humanitarian workers in Ukraine are exemplary. Many of our national colleagues are displaced themselves, balancing personal struggles with their commitment to help others. They are affected by anxiety, depression and secondary trauma, yet they remain resilient, courageous and dedicated.
None of the progress made would be possible without the generous support of UNHCR’s public and private donors. The partnerships we have built over three decades in Ukraine are essential. Together, we are making a difference.
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