UN Emergency Relief Chief Tom Fletcher and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said in a joint appeal from Kiev that millions of civilians inside Ukraine and abroad are dependent on international support as Russian attacks continue. I said there is.
“The Ukrainian people have shown incredible courage over the past few years. We must respond by demonstrating genuine, sincere and sustained international engagement. We have to respond sincerely,” Mr Fletcher said. “We will stand with the Ukrainian people as long as necessary to meet and support these needs. We must not forget the Ukrainian people living in the occupied territories and facing extreme needs. And we must continue to be creative and courageous to provide support to those who need it most.”
We need millions of people
The appeal is designed to support vital support for around 6 million people inside Ukraine, where overall need is more than twice that number, and abroad, where more than 6.8 million Ukrainian refugees live.
About $2.62 billion has been allocated to domestic response teams, and UNHCR has requested $690 million in 2025 and $1.2 billion in 2025-2026 to support refugee-hosting governments in 11 countries.
“Of course, the goal is not to make these people refugees forever.” said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. “The goal is to create conditions for these people to return to Ukraine. This is what Ukraine needs and what the majority of refugees want.”
bombing every day
Speaking to reporters on his sixth visit to Ukraine, the head of the refugee agency highlighted the constant impact of bomb blasts on the front lines every day. Communities there continue to experience destruction and deprivation even through the cold winter, he said.
“Here in Kiev, it is a big city, but If you go to a small town, you will see how devastated people’s lives have become. Almost everyone had to leave their homes.
“In extreme cold, few people have access to heating… Of course, these targets for the Russian Federation’s energy infrastructure, which have a direct impact on civilian life, must be stopped.”
Matthias Schmale, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, emphasized that domestic NGO partners and the UN continue to provide aid and evacuate the most vulnerable people wherever access is permitted. said.
“We are especially supporting those who choose to stay near the front lines This is especially true for disabled people and the elderly with limited mobility.”
