As of today, more than 500,000 people in Ukraine are forced to flee their homes seeking safety in other parts of the country and across international borders. UNHCR estimates that up to 4 million refugees may flee Ukraine and support is needed. H&M Foundation is donating USD 100,000 to UNHCR to contribute to their support to people fleeing Ukraine.
Anzhela (24) holds her little niece Liliya (4), as they both attend the distribution activity of the UNHCR partner Humanitarian Mission Proliska who brought warm clothes and blankets for vulnerable war-affected families living in Sloviansk, Donetsk oblast. ; Anzhela and Liliya are internally displaced people from Krasnopillia village near Kramatorsk town in Donetsk oblast.
Their large family (seven people) lost their two houses due to intense fighting and air raids in the village. At the end of March 2022, they fled to seek safety in Sloviansk town about 30 kilometers away from their village.
“We were able to rent a house in Sloviansk,” says Anzhela. “This is a very simple house with very basic amenities, but what is most important is that we are all safe and warm this winter.”
Anzhela says that it is difficult for her family members to find a job these days. “My father gets occasional job opportunities, but no proper job so far. We are glad that we could get some cash support from United Nations. We used the money to buy wood for the stove, so we can now cook and heat our house,” says Anzhela. Also, in November they were invited by the Humanitarian Mission Proliska to receive warm clothes and warm blankets provided by the UNHCR.
Anzhela says that this winter her large family will stay in Sloviansk, as they are too tired to go anywhere else and have no resources for a long journey, having their 85-year-old grandmother with them.
The number of people fleeing is rising and there is now a risk of large-scale displacement both within the country, in immediate neighboring countries and beyond with paramount new humanitarian needs. UNHCR is coordinating with partners both at regional and country level to prepare adequately to be able to support governments in their response to a refugee influx through the provision of core relief items and unrestricted cash grants. Some 8 million people are at risk of being internally displaced.
The donation will for example be used for:
Core relief items such as high thermal blankets and much other needed items have been prepositioned in relevant countries
Cash assistance
Shelter – UNHCR will provide emergency shelter solutions where required, and work with the authorities to establish temporary reception and/or transit facilities, especially in light of the harsh winter.
Protection – UNHCR will expand its protection monitoring activities and strengthen reception capacities to facilitate the registration of new arrivals, and identify quickly the most vulnerable individuals and persons with specific needs such as unaccompanied children, the elderly, persons with disabilities and other persons particularly at risk in displacement contexts.
