Emergency aid for people in Ukraine

Since 24 February 2022, one-third of Ukrainians have been forced to leave their homes. This is the largest human displacement crisis in the world today. Some 7 million people have been displaced internally within Ukraine and some 13 million people are estimated to be stranded in affected areas or unable to leave due to heightened security risks, destruction of bridges and roads, as well a lack of resources or information on where to find safety and accommodation.  As of 15 August, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has verified over 13,000 civilian casualties (5,514 people killed and 7,698 injured) since the start of the war, with the actual number believed to be significantly higher.

The heaviest fighting continues to be centered in Eastern and Southern parts of Ukraine, though at the beginning of the war, the front line also spread across the north, causing heavy damage in areas like Chernihiv and Sumy, and almost reaching the capital city, Kyiv. During the 6 months of war evacuation of the civil population was constantly interrupted by hostilities. In many cities, especially in the eastern and southern parts of Ukraine people who would like to flee still find it difficult to leave their cities.

The current situation is dramatic and confusing, and above all, it is not yet possible to predict how it will develop. The security situation is extremely volatile. Under these difficult conditions, Caritas and its partner organizations in Ukraine, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Moldova are doing their utmost to maintain ongoing support and alleviate the need for refugees and IDPs. Great flexibility is required to respond to humanitarian needs on the one hand and to guarantee the safety of the people on the other. The most urgent needs include protection, counseling, and the provision of food, drinking water, hygiene items, and blankets.

Due to inadequate living conditions, the upcoming winter season, and ongoing hostilities, more people will be evacuated soon. Therefore, local authorities in eastern and central Ukraine are expecting new incoming IDPs in the near future and are trying to prepare everything for that. Based on the latest analysis, the humanitarian situation in the country is likely to remain dire with the massive devastation, coupled with the unprecedented civilian displacement and the onset of the winter season. While vulnerable households in Ukraine usually have exacerbated needs during winter months, the war is likely to make the situation even more critical in the upcoming months. 

Caritas Austria’s emergency response focuses on providing life-saving humanitarian assistance to internally displaced Ukrainians, those who are forced to stay in besieged areas, and most vulnerable host communities with a time frame of 0-24 months. Currently, 24 emergency projects are implemented with a total overall budget need of Euro 17-20 million until the end of 2022.

In order to cover multiple needs of beneficiaries, most of the projects are designed in a multi-sectoral way which includes at least protection and/ or psycho-social support services as well as cross-cutting topics! Besides new upcoming humanitarian projects, Caritas Austria benefits from the longstanding experience of the implementing partners. Existing projects in the sphere of home and palliative care, children and youth work and work with people with disabilities are ongoing and scaling up their activities according to the changing needs:

• widening the target group to IDPs and other conflict-affected without leaving out the most vulnerable from before
• benefiting from access in communities to the most vulnerable
• covering target groups that are running the risk of being left behind because they cannot independently seek assistance
• teams increase their expertise in the field of providing immediate, humanitarian assistance

How Caritas helps in Ukraine?

The total number of beneficiaries already reached by Caritas Ukraine and Caritas Spes Ukraine is at least 3.92 million. Within the framework of Caritas Austria programs (incl. aid transports), the total number of 435,009 beneficiaries has been reached (including 496 tons of relief goods and 11 vehicles (minivans/ cars) already delivered, supporting additional  223.932 persons.