Weekly Update #118
June 3, 2024

Aid Delivery: Aid organizations provided multisectoral assistance to  4.4 million people and organized 18 convoys to front-line areas by the end of April 2024.

Ukraine Humanitarian Fund

In a very challenging context, the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund (UHF) achieved some very notable successes throughout 2023. It was at the forefront of supporting national civil society and enabling a locally led response aligned with OCHA's global strategic priorities.

Particular emphasis was placed on supporting smaller organizations providing much assistance along the front line. In total, over 300 civil society organizations (CSOs) and volunteer groups working as front-line responders accessed UHF funding in 2023 to assist war-affected people, mainly in hard-to-reach areas.

The focus on national actors also enabled the UHF to effectively scale up its response to rapid onset emergencies, such as the response to the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, where national partners who had direct access to the areas most affected were immediately granted additional funding.

UHF’s national partners were also at the forefront of the winter response, supporting emergency repairs, providing solid fuel and heating appliances, cash for rent and energy and cash-based agricultural livelihood assistance to provide safe and warm housing for war-affected people throughout the harsh winter months.

Whilst Country-based Pool Funds (CBPFs) have traditionally funded larger national non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the UHF has also created innovative ways to ensure that smaller community-based and volunteer organizations can access direct funding by reducing overly bureaucratic due diligence requirements. As a result, 30 per cent of the US$181 million allocated was provided to national NGOs, of which $57 million was allocated directly.

Recognizing the indispensable role of women-led organizations (WLOs) in crisis response efforts, the UHF also disbursed $9 million to national WLOs, representing almost five per cent of the total UHF allocations.

To more equally share the burden of the risk faced by national actors, the UHF has also worked to ensure the safety and security of national front-line responders by providing a comprehensive duty of care package of support.

Humanitarian Access in Ukraine - Overview

The reporting period featured the contraction of humanitarian space as a result of the deterioration of the security situation along the front line in Donetska Oblast; the spike in attacks in Kharkiv City and the northern hromadas of Kharkivska Oblast; as well as the introduction of a movement coordination mechanism for humanitarian actors in Khersonska Oblast.

Nineteen humanitarian access incidents were reported to the Humanitarian Access Working Group in March and April, dropping from 32 logged over the first two months of 2024 and compared to 52 incidents in March-April 2023. No casualties among aid workers were reported. Several humanitarian actors enhanced their risk mitigation measures, and local authorities also introduced stricter coordination requirements. Khersonska Oblast established a Commandant’s Office whose responsibilities, among other tasks, include the authorization of some humanitarian movement in areas with the highest security risks and, subsequently, closing traffic for the road along the Dnipro River’s right bank.

Active hostilities also continued to disrupt humanitarian operations across the country, impacting relief efforts. Ten out of 11 incidents involving violence against humanitarian assets and facilities occurred in the front-line oblasts – Donetska, Kharkivska, Khersonska and Zaporizka. In addition to incidents in areas close to the front line, such as Khersonska Oblast, humanitarian infrastructure in towns (Chuhuiv, Dobropilla, Pokrovsk) and oblast centres (Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia) also sustained damage. For instance, a missile strike on Kharkiv City damaged an office of an international non-governmental organization (INGO), and as many as 17 vehicles, also impacting another INGO’s guesthouse. A strike on Pokrovsk destroyed an INGO’s guesthouse/office, and an INGO’s warehouse in Dobropillia with humanitarian aid was also destroyed in a missile strike.

Source: UNOCHA

____________________________________________________

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine has strongly condemned the latest deadly Russian missile strikes in Kharkiv

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Denise Brown, strongly condemned the latest deadly Russian missile strikes in Kharkiv. These attacks occurred in the city’s Novobovarskyi district, resulting in at least three deaths and 16 injuries. Residential buildings were significantly damaged, and rescue workers rushing to the scene were also affected.

Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, has faced relentless shelling in recent weeks. UN agencies have been assisting in evacuating people from other areas in the wider Kharkiv region that have come under attack.

Ms. Brown emphasized that the escalation of hostilities in Kharkiv and elsewhere in Ukraine continues to devastate families' lives, making humanitarian response efforts even more critical and challenging.

RUSSIA’S INVASION PLACES A GENERATION OF UKRAINIAN CHILDREN UNDER SEVERE STRAIN

The UN Office in Ukraine issued a separate statement condemning severe violations of children’s rights following the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022.

Over 600 children have been killed, and more than 1,420 injured since the escalation. Children spend countless hours in bomb shelters due to indiscriminate attacks, causing immense physical, psychological, and emotional harm.

Forced displacement further compounds the dangers they face, including separation from their families and increased risks of trafficking, exploitation, and abuse.

Education and healthcare disrupted 

The war has also severely affected education, and many schools have adopted online or underground classes. The UN Office in Ukraine expressed particular concern over the situation of children in frontline regions.  

Currently, nearly a million boys and girls – a quarter of all Ukrainian children enrolled in school – have been unable to attend in-person learning, particularly those with disabilities and special educational needs. 

Children’s health is another casualty of the war.  Damage to health facilities, together with the displacement of personnel, mean that access to healthcare services is limited.  

The statement noted that displaced families and those living close to the front line struggle to obtain necessary medical care, particularly for pregnant women and newborns, while vaccination campaigns have been disrupted, thus increasing the risk of outbreaks of some preventable diseases. 

Source: United Nations

____________________________________________________

Humanitarians’ resilience amid Ukraine’s ongoing war

As the war in Ukraine continues to exacerbate the humanitarian situation, local aid workers are helping people in places where humanitarian needs are dire, and the security situation is perilous. Five humanitarians share their coping mechanisms and sources of inspiration in their demanding roles.

Full article can be found on the United Nations site.

UPDATES ON INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE

Explainer-What is NATO chief's proposal for military aid for Ukraine?

NATO foreign ministers will on Friday debate a military support package for Ukraine, proposed by alliance boss Jens Stoltenberg and due to be agreed at a summit in Washington in July.

With uncertainty over future U.S. support for Ukraine due to the possible return of former president Donald Trump to the White House, Stoltenberg has proposed putting military aid for Kyiv on a longer-term footing, along with a multi-year financial pledge.

Stoltenberg has proposed that NATO take on coordination of international military aid for Ukraine, giving the alliance a more direct role in the war against Russia's invasion while stopping well short of committing its own forces.

NATO would take over coordination of arms donations and supplies from the U.S.-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group, an ad-hoc coalition of some 50 nations, also called the Ramstein group, named after a U.S. air base in Germany where it first met.

The alliance would also coordinate the training of Ukrainian forces, an activity in which both the European Union and Britain are heavily involved.

Stoltenberg has proposed the allies make a big multi-year financial pledge of military aid to Ukraine, so the country can plan better and to send a signal to both Kyiv and Moscow that the West will remain committed for the long haul.

Officials have floated the sum of 100 billion euros ($108.13 billion) over the next five years, although Stoltenberg has not publicly mentioned a figure.

Source: Reuters

____________________________________________________

Germany Announces a €500 Million Military Support Package for Ukraine, Including a Patriot Air Defense System

In a recent visit to Odesa, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius revealed an expansive €500 million military aid package destined for Ukraine. This significant package encompasses a range of military hardware including numerous missiles for the Iris-T air defense system, drones for surveillance and offensive operations in the Black Sea area, various spare parts for artillery platforms made in Germany, additional engines for Leopard tanks, and a provision of one million cartridges for small arms. Minister Pistorius noted that parts of the aid are already prepared for dispatch. Furthermore, the German government has stated that the distribution of 18 advanced RCH-155 self-propelled howitzers will commence from the year 2025. Additionally, Germany’s Foreign Affairs Ministry relayed the decision to deliver an extra Patriot defense missile system to Ukraine. Moreover, it is now officially confirmed.

Source: MSN

____________________________________________________

Dutch and Danish F-16s Bolster Ukraine's Arsenal Without Restrictions on Targeting Russian Soil

The Netherlands and Denmark have taken significant steps in their military support for Ukraine by allowing the use of their donated F-16 fighter jets without imposing restrictions on targeting Russian territory. This move contrasts sharply with other European nations, such as Belgium, which has limited the use of its F-16s to Ukrainian airspace only.

Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren confirmed that the Netherlands would not enforce a Belgian-style limitation on the 24 F-16s destined for Ukraine. “We are applying the same principle that we have applied to every other delivery of capabilities, which is once we hand it over to Ukraine, it’s theirs to use,” Ollongren stated. She further emphasized the importance of adhering to international law and the right to self-defense as outlined in the U.N. Charter. This guidance suggests Ukraine should use the aircraft to target the military objectives necessary for its self-defense.

Source: MSN

____________________________________________________

UK military chief confident Ukraine will win the war, but allies must 'maintain support'

The U.K. military chief, Admiral Antony Radakin, is "hugely confident" that Ukraine will eventually win the full-scale war despite Russia's recent tactical advances, he said in an interview with Sky News published on June 3.

Moscow launched a new offensive on May 10 in the north of Kharkiv Oblast. By the end of the month, Kyiv said that Russian advance in the sector had been halted and Ukrainian troops were conducting counterattacks.

Radakin insisted that Russia is "failing" despite the ongoing offensive in Kharkiv Oblast and Ukrainian forces' issues with personnel and ammunition shortages.

"Russia is making tactical advances on land," Radakin said.

"But you have got to then step back a little. If you go back to March 2022, Russia had taken about 17% of Ukraine's territory. Today it's got 11%. So, Russia is still in deficit."

Answering the question of whether Ukraine prevails in this war, Radakin said he is "hugely confident."

"By the end of June, Russia will have lost 500,000 people – killed and wounded. We are already past 800 days for a war that (Vladimir) Putin anticipated to be three days long. This is tough for Ukraine, but we have to maintain our support."

The head of the U.K. military also said that the Russian leader does not want a war with NATO or a nuclear war.

Source: Kyiv Independent

HOLY FATHER ON UKRAINE

General Audience - May 29, 2024

My thoughts go to tormented Ukraine. The other day I received little boys and girls who suffered burns, they lost their legs in the war: war is always cruel. These little boys and girls have to start walking, to move with artificial arms ... they have lost their smiles. It is very bad, very sad when a child loses their smile. Let us pray for the Ukrainian children.

Il mio pensiero va alla martoriata Ucraina. L’altro giorno ho ricevuto bambini e bambine che hanno sofferto bruciature, hanno perso le gambe nella guerra: la guerra sempre è una crudeltà. Questi bambini e bambine devono incominciare a camminare, a muoversi con braccia artificiali … hanno perso il sorriso. È molto brutto, molto triste quando un bambino perde il sorriso. Preghiamo per i bambini ucraini. E non dimentichiamo Palestina, Israele che soffrono tanto: che finisca la guerra. E non dimentichiamo il Myanmar, e tanti Paesi che sono in guerra. I bambini soffrono, i bambini nella guerra soffrono. Preghiamo il Signore perché sia vicino a tutti e ci dia la grazia della pace. Amen.

Angelus - June 2, 2024 (Sunday)

And let us not forget tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Myanmar. I appeal to the wisdom of governors to cease the escalation and to put every effort into dialogue and negotiation.

E non dimentichiamo la martoriata Ucraina, la Palestina, Israele, il Myanmar… Faccio appello alla saggezza dei governanti perché cessi l’escalation e si ponga ogni impegno nel dialogo e nella trattativa.

NEWS

Pope renews prayers for peace in Sudan as millions risk famine

Pope and Slovakian President discuss war in Ukraine

Vatican hosts screening of documentary "20 Days in Mariupol"

Cardinal Parolin: NATO arms in Russia will lead to ‘uncontrollable escalation'

Pope: Children suffer from wars in Ukraine, Myanmar, Holy Land

Bishop Honcharuk from Kharkiv: we want to live, to live freely, because it is our right (Google translate)

The Pope was presented with the "Ukrainian Way of the Cross" in Shargorod (Google translate)

UGCC Head to “Church in Need” Delegation: Tell the Global South the Truth About the Genocidal Ideology of the Russian World

Explosions during services in Odesa (Google translate)

"We support and will support Ukraine spiritually and materially"

A conversation with Regina Lynch, president of the International Pontifical Foundation "Aid to the Church in Need".