UNHCR calls for international aid for refugees and displaced persons from Ukraine

Nearly 50 days after the start of the invasion of Ukraine, the world is witnessing one of the fastest growing refugee emergencies in recent times. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, continues to work in the territory and in neighbouring countries to provide emergency aid, assistance, protection and attention to the needs of the most vulnerable people, mostly women, girls and boys, including an increasing proportion of unaccompanied and separated children.

Today, more than 10 million people in Ukraine have been forced to flee for their lives. This includes about 4.6 million refugees and 7.1 million who are internally displaced. However, hour after hour the numbers are growing exponentially, and this situation could become the biggest refugee crisis in Europe so far this century. From Argentina, it is possible to send direct aid to refugees from Ukraine through the UNHCR Argentina Foundation.

Within Ukraine, UNHCR is delivering essential supplies, monitoring and responding to protection risks. It also has specialized protective services to identify people in need of special assistance, such as children traveling alone and people with disabilities. At the same time, in neighbouring countries, UNHCR is supporting the authorities to expand reception capacity, targeted care for the most vulnerable and cash assistance for refugees to meet their most immediate needs. It has sent emergency experts and stocks of aid supplies to be distributed to refugees, and trucks with humanitarian aid for internally displaced persons.

In Ukraine, more than 150,000 people received food, winter clothing and shelter materials; more than 35,000 were assisted at border crossings, reception centers and emergency lines; more than 15,000 people received assistance through trucks with humanitarian aid and more than 4,000 were beneficiaries of cash assistance. In addition, more than 70 shelters and collective centres were equipped with essential items to increase reception capacity. UNHCR plans to provide protection and assistance to 1.1 million people; deliver 550,000 non-food items; and equip 200 shelters and collective centres with essential items.

From Poland, assistance items were delivered to warehouses in Ukraine that will benefit more than 1.2 million people: 1.1 million thermal blankets; 29,240 common blankets; 17,200 tarpaulins for shelter repair; 10,000 solar lamps; 10,000 sleeping bags; more than 7,200 drums; more than 6,084 kitchen utensils; 5,720 pillows; 4,511 winter jackets; 4,424 mattresses; 1,700 boxes of winter clothes; 1,500 duvets and 10 temporary shelters.

In Moldova, 5,720 people have received cash assistance to date. This number continues to grow rapidly and will expand to approximately 150,000 people, in collaboration with the Government of Moldova and the World Food Programme (WFP). In addition, to date, some 34,800 refugees have been supported by safe transport from Moldova.

UNHCR currently has a reserve in Moldova of 33,456

thermal blankets; 4,852 sleeping bags; 3,322 family tents; 3,000 winter kits; 1,536 solar lamps; 1,000 kitchen utensils; 1,000 plastic tarps and 21 vans to donate to the authorities.

In Romania, more than 5,400 refugees received in-person counselling and assistance; 6,300 refugees received information and advice through telephone helplines; 3 Blue Dot centres have been established [1] and 3 permanent UNHCR field offices have been established.

All this is possible thanks to the help of people who collaborate around the world, including from Argentina. “We are facing a humanitarian crisis that grows every second. From Fundación UNHCR Argentina we invite all people to show their support and add their grain of sand. Your contribution, however small, is a great help. Together we can change the lives of millions of people forced to flee their homes to save their lives,” says Mariana Gemignani, Fundraising Director at UNHCR Argentina Foundation. From Argentina you can help by going to FUNDACIONACNUR.ORG/DONA.

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