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“Attacks on frontline regions are on the rise and it’s predominantly civilians who bear the brunt of this conflict,” stated UNHCR Representative Karolina Lindholm Billing.
Since the start of the year, over 3,500 newly displaced individuals have passed through a transit center in Pavlohrad heading towards central Ukraine. In total, more than 200,000 individuals have been evacuated or displaced from conflict-prone areas from August last year to early 2025.
Last to Leave
In the previous month alone, over 4,200 evacuees reached a transit center in the northeastern city of Sumy, where UNHCR and its partners offer humanitarian aid. These numbers represent only a small portion of those who have been rendered homeless due to ongoing violence and mandatory evacuation directives from Kyiv amidst persistent Russian hostility.
The majority of evacuees are elderly individuals with limited mobility or disabilities, along with resource-strapped families and children. Many opted to stay until the very end, reluctant to abandon their possessions, according to UNHCR.
Cities and Civilians Targeted
UN aid agencies on Thursday condemned a recent Russian missile and drone strike on Kyiv that resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals and injuries to 84 others, part of a series of escalated attacks across the nation that underline the intensifying conflict since the beginning of the year and the increasing humanitarian needs of refugees.
“The frequency of these deadly Russian assaults has surged alarmingly since January,” Ms. Billing commented during a news briefing via video link from Kyiv.
“Over 1,000 individuals have been directly affected, with their homes damaged or completely destroyed. Civilian infrastructure in various regions also suffered damage yesterday, including in Kharkiv, where I was awakened around 2 am by the sound of explosions.”
As reported by the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, civilian casualties rose by 70 percent in March of this year compared to the same month last year.
Supporting Lives and Livelihoods
The conflict has led to four million people being internally displaced since February 24, 2022, when Russian forces entered Ukraine. Many of these displaced individuals have struggled to find affordable housing and employment, making the support from humanitarian organizations vital, as emphasized by the UNHCR official.
“A key aspect of our emergency response is the provision of emergency shelter materials, which assist individuals in repairing broken windows, roofs, and doors,” Ms. Billing conveyed.
Since 2022, UNHCR has assisted around 450,000 people in making necessary repairs to their homes. The agency also offers psychological first aid and legal assistance to individuals who have lost their identity documents, along with emergency cash aid to help meet their basic needs.
Funding Impacts
However, increased support is essential for maintaining a timely and consistent response to the numerous requests for aid the agency receives from those affected, as well as from local authorities.
Last year, U.S. contributions accounted for roughly 40 percent of UNHCR’s total funding. For 2025, the agency has requested $803.5 million to address the ongoing emergency situation in Ukraine. At present, this appeal is only 25 percent funded. During the winter last year, the agency was compelled to suspend some of its programs partially, affecting psychosocial support, the distribution of emergency shelter materials, and cash assistance.
Source
news.un.org