Ukraine

Executive Summary

Situation Overview

After a decade of hostilities and nearly three years of full-scale war by the Russian Federation, the people of Ukraine continue to endure immense suffering. Relentless attacks on cities, towns, and villages in eastern, southern, and northeastern regions fuel the severe humanitarian crisis.

Within Ukraine, 3.6 million people remain internally displaced, with 79,000 of the most vulnerable in collective shelters. About 83 per cent of internally displaced people have been displaced for over a year, with limited prospects for return.¹ An estimated 12.7 million people face severe hardships due to infrastructure destruction and lack of services, especially in front-line regions and areas near the Russian Federation. In Russian-occupied territories, anecdotal evidence suggests devastating humanitarian conditions for an estimated one million people.

The war is a protection crisis. By October 2024, verified civilian casualties reached nearly 39,000, including over 12,000 deaths. More than 2,400 children were killed or injured.² More than half of the casualties occurred over 10 kilometers from the front line, with true numbers likely underreported due to access challenges. Landmines and explosive ordnance pose ongoing risks, preventing displaced families from returning. Vulnerable groups, such as older people and individuals with disabilities, face isolation and limited access to services. Conflict-related sexual violence is increasing, affecting women, men, and children.

Mental health challenges are widespread, with 63 per cent of households reporting distress linked to constant uncertainty and trauma.³ Children are especially vulnerable, with 1.5 million at risk of post-traumatic stress syndrome and other issues.⁴ Internally displaced people report mental health challenges more frequently than others. Needs are particularly acute in front-line areas and regions bordering the Russian Federation.

Infrastructure destruction has been catastrophic, targeting power grids, water supplies, and transport systems, disrupting basic services and deepening vulnerabilities. Energy infrastructure attacks reduced power capacity, jeopardizing water, gas, and heating during harsh winters, where temperatures can drop to -20°C. Over 3,800 educational institutions and 2,100 healthcare facilities have been damaged or attacked, leaving schools overstretched and health services severely disrupted.

The economic impact is staggering. As of December 2023, war-related destruction costs reached $152 billion, with housing ($56 billion) and transport ($34 billion) sectors hardest hit.⁵ Over 2 million housing units were damaged, primarily in Donetska, Kharkivska, and Zaporizka oblasts. Economic losses exceeded $499 billion due to disrupted activities and widespread unemployment. Poverty levels have risen by 1.8 million, with over 9 million people now living in poverty. Ukraine’s economy in 2024 continued to be heavily impacted by the war. Agricultural and industrial hubs in the east have been devastated, rendering much of the country’s infrastructure inoperable. Urban economies have collapsed, with many businesses closed or scaled back.

Strategic objectives

1. Provide principled and timely multisectoral life-saving emergency assistance to the most vulnerable internally displaced people and non-displaced war-affected people, ensuring their safety and dignity, with a focus on areas with high severity levels of need.
2. Enable access to prioritized essential services for the most vulnerable internally displaced and non-displaced war-affected people, with a focus on areas with high severity levels of need to ensure their protection, safety and dignity.

Response Strategy

Of the 12.7 million people in need, just over 6 million people have been prioritised to receive humanitarian assistance in 2025, requiring some US$2.63 billion in financial support.

Accountability to Affected Populations and people-centered response. Partners will ensure the systematic inclusion of affected people's voices at every stage of the programmatic cycle so that programming reflects their needs, priorities and preferences.

Protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA). The war has heightened vulnerabilities, with 2.5 million people at risk of sexual exploitation and abuse in Ukraine, especially in rural and front-line areas. The 2025 PSEA Action Plan emphasizes prevention, response, and coordination, focusing on community-based initiatives, complaint mechanisms, and decentralized outreach.

Gender, age, disability and other diversities - sensitivity and empowerment. Vulnerabilities are intensified by factors such as gender, age, and disability, and marginalized groups, including Roma, LGBTIQ+ people, and individuals living with HIV+, face compounded challenges. To address these issues, the HNRP prioritizes tailored approaches, capacity-building, and improved access to coordination structures, ensuring that these groups are actively involved in shaping the response.

Integrated approach to Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS). The prolonged war in Ukraine has caused widespread trauma and psychological distress, exacerbated by constant fear, uncertainty, and grave protection risks. MHPSS will be integrated across humanitarian sectors like health, education, and protection, with a focus on gender-based violence and child protection.

Multipurpose Cash and Cash and Voucher Assistance. In 2025, the humanitarian response in Ukraine will prioritize Cash and Voucher Assistance in line with Grand Bargain Commitments and community preferences, focusing on multisectoral approaches to meet basic needs.

Governmental Ownership. From the outset, humanitarian assistance has complemented government-led efforts, reinforcing rather than replacing State action. As the response transitions from emergency life-saving protection to long-term inclusion in national systems, governments at both central and local levels are closely engaged in coordinating the response.

Coordination and Response

Since 2022, Ukraine's humanitarian coordination has evolved to address shifting needs, emphasizing agile, people-centered, and locally led responses. Operational coordination is supported by nine Clusters, three Areas of Responsibility, and the Cash Working Group, while the Inter-Cluster Coordination Group links national and subnational levels to improve response efficiency. Humanitarian access mechanisms, guided by the Humanitarian Operations Planning Cell, delivered aid to hard-to-reach areas.

Local organizations, representing 71 per cent of 2025 HNRP partners, are pivotal in the response. Since 2023, efforts are ongoing to strengthen localization. In 2025, the HCT will further support this strategy to strengthen local capacity within Ukraine's humanitarian system.