Weekly Update #163
April 14, 2025

Source: UNHCR collation of statistics made available by the authorities

Source: OCHA

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Invisible Wounds: Navigating Mental Health Challenges and Support for Ukrainian Adolescent Boys and Young Men (March 2025)

The full-scale war in Ukraine has profoundly disrupted the lives of all Ukrainians, affecting families, communities, and social structures both within the country and in host countries such as Poland, Romania, and Moldova. The war has led to mass displacement, endangered lives, health and safety, exposed civilians to violence, and severely disrupted education, employment, and essential services.

While much of the humanitarian response has primarily focused on women and children, the MHPSS needs of adolescent boys and young men have often remained overlooked. As the war persists, they encounter distinct mental health and psychosocial challenges shaped by displacement, gender expectations, exposure to violence, and structural barriers to accessing care. These include restrictive gender norms that discourage help-seeking, movement limitations due to military mobilisation concerns for those over 25, and financial instability limiting access to support. This research highlights how structural and cultural barriers influence their mental health experiences and aims to provide actionable recommendations to improve service accessibility.

Conducted across Ukraine, Poland, Romania, and Moldova, it draws on qualitative data from adolescent boys and young men, parents, mental health professionals, educators, and humanitarian actors. Although the primary focus of this study is adolescent boys and young men, it also considers broader gender dynamics. It examines how societal expectations around masculinity – such as self-reliance and emotional restraint – affect help-seeking behaviours and service uptake. While this research does not explicitly contrast male and female perspectives, it acknowledges the influence of gender norms on mental health access. Some qualitative findings reflect insights from young women and service providers, highlighting how gender roles shape mental health experiences for boys and young men.

Moreover, addressing the mental health needs of adolescent boys and young men is essential not only for their own well-being, but also for their families and communities. Unaddressed psychological distress can contribute to emotional withdrawal and strained relationships. In some cases, unprocessed distress manifests in maladaptive coping mechanisms, potentially perpetuating cycles of violence that negatively impact broader social cohesion.

By identifying these gaps, this research contributes to the development of MHPSS programs that are inclusive, trauma-informed, and responsive to the unique needs of adolescent boys and young men. Strengthening support systems for this population not only enhances their well-being but also fosters healthier family and community dynamics as Ukraine navigates the ongoing war and its long-term consequences.

Sources: CARE, Plan International 

The risk to aid workers remained grave: attacks within 10 kilometres of the front line injured seven humanitarian workers, and strikes in Kharkiv, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv and Sloviansk damaged humanitarian assets and facilities.

Additionally, the military conscription of male staff working with humanitarian partners continued to limit their ability to operate effectively.

Source: OCHA

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Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict - March 2025

Stark increase in civilian casualties in March, UN Human Rights Monitors say

The number of civilian casualties in Ukraine increased significantly in March, UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) said in its monthly Protection of Civilians Update released today.

Kyiv, 9 April 2025 - The number of civilian casualties in Ukraine increased significantly in March, UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) said in its monthly Protection of Civilians Update released today. With at least 164 killed and 910 injured, the number of civilian casualties in March was 50 per cent higher than in February 2025 (129 killed; 588 injured), and more than 70 per cent higher than the same period last year (129 killed; 498 injured in March 2024).

Ninety-five per cent of the civilian casualties occurred in territory controlled by the government of Ukraine, HRMMU said. Most casualties were caused by long-range missiles and loitering munitions.

“The number of civilian casualties in Ukraine rose, with casualties in March significantly higher than both last month and the same month a year ago,” Danielle Bell, Head of HRMMU, said. “The near daily barrage of long-range drones killed and injured scores of civilians across the country last month, and disrupted life for millions more.”

One of the places most heavily affected in March was Kryvyi Rih, located about 60 to 70 kilometers from the frontline. Five attacks launched by Russian armed forces in the city in March killed at least six civilians and injured 66. Among the sites struck in these attacks were civilian buildings, including two hotels and a restaurant.

Deadly attacks on Kryvyi Rih by Russian armed forces continued into April, including a ballistic missile that detonated over a playground on 4 April, killing 19 civilians, including nine children, and reportedly injuring 74, including 12 children. This was the deadliest single attack for children that HRMMU has verified since the start of the full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk expressed his shock at the attack and called for a prompt, thorough and independent investigation.

In an incident that contributed to March’s high casualties, Russian armed forces launched an attack on 7 March that killed 11 civilians and injured 48 in Dobropillia town, Donetsk region. HRMMU’s examination of the site, interviews with victims and witnesses, and review of photos of weapon remnants determined that multiple weapons were used in the strike, including cluster munitions which caused many of the civilian casualties.

HRMMU also verified that two functioning hospitals were attacked multiple times with loitering munitions launched by Russian armed forces. Early on 14 March, three loitering munitions struck a hospital in Zolochiv, a town about 17 kilometers from the Russian border in Kharkiv region.

On 27 March, it was struck again by two loitering munitions. In a similar attack, at least five loitering munitions struck a hospital in Krasnopillia, Sumy region, on 19 March. Only one female ambulance paramedic sustained light injuries in the attacks, as hospital staff in all cases had followed safety protocols to ensure that patients and medical personnel were in shelters. However, both hospitals were damaged in the attacks, the Krasnopillia hospital significantly so. The fact that the two hospitals were directly struck multiple times raises the possibility that they were attacked deliberately, HRMMU said.

“Hospitals enjoy special protection under international humanitarian law and should not be subjected to attack,” Bell said.

Source: OHCHR

Palm Sunday should be a day of peace. People in Sumy have been subjected to terror

THE HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR FOR UKRAINE, MATTHIAS SCHMALE, CONDEMNS TODAY’S BRUTAL KILLING AND INJURING OF CIVILIANS IN SUMY.

Palm Sunday is meant to be a day of peace and reflection. Instead, people in Sumy in northeastern Ukraine have been subjected to violence, terror, and loss. I am utterly appalled by this morning’s missile strike by the Russian Armed Forces on the heart of Sumy City.

According to local authorities, the horrifying attack killed at least twenty people and injured many more. Details are still emerging, but reportedly, the missile struck a busy street in the city centre, damaging residential buildings, an educational facility, and civilian vehicles — including a public bus.

On behalf of the humanitarian community and the United Nations country team, I condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms and express my deeply felt condolences with the families whose lives have been torn apart.

International humanitarian law strictly prohibits attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure. Those rules exist to protect human life and dignity — and they must be respected at all times.

Source: OCHA

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The UK makes second £752 million payment to Ukraine through the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans for Ukraine scheme

A £752 million payment has today (14 April) been sent to Ukraine through the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans for Ukraine scheme. The funding will support Ukraine to procure vital military equipment, including urgently needed air defence. This comes as Russia continues its air assault on Ukraine, striking the city of Sumy.

The loan, which will be paid for through the profits of sanctioned Russian sovereign assets in the EU, forms part of a wider £2.26 billion loan agreed between the Chancellor and Minister Marchenko on 1 March.

The payment highlights the UK’s steadfast support to Ukraine whilst building on the Chancellor’s Spring Statement pledge to go further and faster to protect our national security and maximise the economic growth potential of the UK defence sector. The equipment support and maintenance elements will be mainly spent in the UK, boosting the UK economy and skilled jobs.

Source: UK Govt.

The papal point man on charity, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski is seen distributing bread to people in need in Zaporizhzhia, eastern Ukraine, on April 8, 2025. The bread is baked by Catholic Albertine brothers and distributed at the premises of the Sanctuary of God the Merciful Father. The prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity and three other drivers, also priests, drove four ambulances to Ukraine for the 10th mission to the war-torn country of Cardinal Krajewski as a papal envoy. (OSV News/courtesy Bishop Jan Sobilo)