The security situation in Ukraine deteriorated rapidly following the launch of a Russian Federation military offensive on 24 February 2022. The armed violence escalated in at least eight oblasts (regions), including Kyivska oblast and the capital city of Kyiv, as well as in the eastern oblasts Donetsk and Luhansk which were already affected by conflict.

The escalation of conflict has triggered an immediate and steep rise in humanitarian needs as essential supplies and services are disrupted and civilians flee the fighting. The UN estimates that 12 million people inside Ukraine will need relief and protection, while more than 4 million Ukrainian refugees may need protection and assistance in neighbouring countries in the coming months.

*https://news.un.org/en/focus/ukraine

Amid the huge internal and international displacement of millions of Ukrainians after their country was invaded by Russia in February 2022, the United States is extending protection to as many as 180,000. In what has become Europe’s largest humanitarian crisis since World War II, nearly 8 million Ukrainians have been internally displaced and more than 6 million civilians (predominantly women and children) have fled the country—the vast majority seeking refuge in neighboring Poland, Moldova, Romania, Hungary, and Slovakia.

*https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/ukrainian-immigrants-united-states

Emergency Relief

Refugees need emergency assistance especially those living in conflict zones or are displaced by fighting. This includes food, hygiene items, kitchen sets, household appliances, mattresses, blankets and other essential supplies to many internally displaced people. As well as cash assistance to help cover emergency expenses.

Health

Many need timely access to medical care, with focus on the wounded and sick. This also includes psychosocial support hotline, psychosocial support sessions in displacement centers and psychosocial support trainings for volunteers.

Essential Infrastructure

As the attacks continue, people who remain in Ukraine are enduring the dangers of life under siege, even as they try to cope without adequate water, heat and electricity. Freezing temperatures are making conditions for those seeking shelter in basements and subway stations even more unbearable. And roads and bridges made impassible by bombs and shelling are hindering access to food and other basic necessities. Additionally hospitals and ambulances have been targeted.

Protection of Civilians and International Humanitarian Law

We need to speak directly and confidentially with the parties about their responsibility by law to protect civilians and the infrastructure they rely on as well as other protected groups like prisoners of war. Currently, this is lacking.

Restoring Family Links

Since many families have been separated, there is strong reliance on systems that collect, centralize, and transmit information about the fate and whereabouts of people, both military and civilians deprived of their liberty, who have fallen in the hands of the enemy.

*https://www.icrc.org/en/humanitarian-crisis-ukraine

*https://www.icrc.org/en/humanitarian-crisis-ukraine

*https://www.rescue.org/topic/ukraine-crisis

In the United States, we are working with local partners to provide emergency assistance to people displaced from Ukraine. Our response includes:

• Offering temporary vacation rental housing

• Providing information about employment, school registration, and refugee rights

• Delivering groceries, clothes, and hygienic supplies

• Setting up cash assistance programs.

HUGS is also speaking out. We are working alongside our supporters to fight for policies that deliver real change for people in need of protection. Among the changes we are calling for:

• Europe and the U.S. to welcome MORE refugees