UN Urges $4.2 Billion Support for War-Torn Ukraine and Refugees

The United Nations, along with its partners, has issued an appeal for $4.2 billion in aid to assist Ukraine, which continues to grapple with the aftermath of conflict with Russia and support Ukrainian refugees.

On Monday, the United Nations, in collaboration with its partners, made a joint plea for a total of $4.2 billion from donors to provide assistance to communities in Ukraine affected by war and to Ukrainian refugees throughout 2024.

U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian aid, particularly for children residing in war-torn areas, who face fear, trauma, and a lack of basic necessities. He urged collective efforts to provide essential assistance to Ukraine, considering the challenging circumstances faced by hundreds of thousands of children.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), over 14.6 million people, equivalent to 40% of Ukraine’s population, will require humanitarian assistance in 2024 due to the full-scale invasion by Russia. More than 3.3 million individuals in need reside in front-line communities in the eastern and southern regions, including territories occupied by Russia, where access remains significantly constrained.

As part of the appeal, OCHA is seeking $3.1 billion to aid 8.5 million people facing critical humanitarian needs in 2024. Additionally, the U.N. refugee agency is requesting $1.1 billion to provide support to 2.3 million Ukrainian refugees and their host communities.

The invasion by Russia, initiated in February 2022, has resulted in the displacement of approximately 6.3 million people who sought refuge abroad. Within the country, four million people, including almost one million children, remain internally displaced, as highlighted by OCHA.

Filippo Grandi, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, emphasized the ongoing efforts of host countries to offer protection and integration to refugees. However, he noted that vulnerable refugees still require assistance, and the priority should be to ensure their well-being rather than pressuring them to return when their living conditions in exile remain challenging.