Weekly Update #120
June 17, 2024
Weekly Update #120
June 17, 2024
Embedded Files
June 17, 2024
REFUGEE SITUATION
REFUGEE SITUATION
(as of 13 June 2024)
(as of 13 June 2024)
General Figures
General Figures
Refugees from Ukraine recorded across Europe
5,996,500
Last updated June 13 2024
Covers those granted refugee status, temporary asylum status, temporary protection, or statuses through similar national protection schemes, as well as those recorded in the country under other forms of stay
Refugees from Ukraine recorded beyond Europe
558,300
Last updated June 13 2024
Covers those granted refugee status, temporary asylum status, temporary protection, or statuses through similar national protection schemes, as well as those recorded in the country under other forms of stay
Refugees from Ukraine recorded globally
6,554,800
Last updated June 13 2024
Source: UNHCR collation of statistics made available by the authorities
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THE HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE
THE HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE
Against the backdrop of large-scale attacks by the Russian Federation across Ukraine, with a sustained focus on targeting energy infrastructure and a ground offensive in Kharkivska region, UNHCR continues to prioritize life-saving humanitarian assistance to people living close to the frontline and newly regained areas of the country:
UNHCR and NGO partners Proliska and Right to Protection (R2P), as part of the Inter-Agency response and in support of government efforts, have been supporting evacuees at the transit centre in Kharkiv city. From 10 May to 3 June, almost 12,800 people arrived at the transit centre. UNHCR and local NGO partners are providing them with emergency cash assistance, legal assistance, psychosocial support, essential items, and transportation from frontline areas. Between 10 May and 3 June, UNHCR’s NGO partner R2P has enrolled over 2,400 evacuees for cash assistance. The emergency cash assistance is being transferred to people’s accounts within two days.
To respond to the needs of families affected by almost daily attacks in the Sumska region in May, UNHCR's partner Proliska delivered emergency shelter kits to almost 500 people to quickly repair damaged homes. Proliska also provided essential items, including blankets, thermoses, and solar lamps to over 200 people, and was on-site to offer psychosocial and legal support to affected families. In addition, Proliska helped evacuate 108 people living in areas of active hostilities and under mandatory evacuation orders. UNHCR’s partner R2P meanwhile helped 139 evacuees (92 families) from Bilopillia and Vorozhba hromadas with emergency cash assistance, including helping to find temporary accommodation and cover basic needs while they search for a new shelter.
In eastern Ukraine, UNHCR's partner Proliska assisted 1,045 people affected by new attacks in May across the Dnipropetrovska, Donetska, and Zaporizka regions. Assistance included essential items, such as blankets and mattresses, which aimed to help replace lost or damaged items as a result of missile strikes that damaged civilian infrastructure, educational and medical institutions, private businesses, apartment buildings and private houses.
Source: UHCHR Ukraine Situation Flash Update #70
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UNHCR adjusts criteria for cash assistance to people impacted by the war in Ukraine
UNHCR adjusts criteria for cash assistance to people impacted by the war in Ukraine
The programme of multi-purpose cash assistance from UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in Ukraine has been in place since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022. All this time, the programme tried to respond to the requests of vulnerable categories of internally displaced people (IDPs) and war-affected population.
It is a humanitarian principle to revise the criteria for eligibility regularly to ensure that the programme is providing assistance to the people with the most pressing needs. To reflect the current security situation and the growing number of Ukrainians affected by the war, the vulnerability criteria for the programme has been updated.
Data collection for registration according to the updated criteria will begin on June 17, 2024.
The targeting and socio-economic vulnerability criteria include:
Newly displaced internally displaced people for less than 6 months meeting the following eligibility criteria:
Single headed households with at least 1 child under 18 years of age or older family members (over than 55 years of age);or/and
Elderly headed household (i.e. composed of one or more individuals >55 years old or a person over 55 years of age responsible for at least one child <18 years old);or/and
Households with one or more persons with specific needs (disability, chronic illness, etc); and
Have not received cash assistance from UNHCR or any other organization.
Returnees (returning from abroad) meeting the following eligibility criteria:
Single headed households with at least 1 child under 18 years of age or older family members (over than 55 years of age);or/and
Elderly headed household (i.e. composed of one or more individuals >55 years old or a person over 55 years of age responsible for at least one child <18 years old);or/and
Households with one or more persons with specific needs (disability, chronic illness, etc); and
Have not received cash assistance for return from UNHCR or any other organization.
Returnees internally displaced persons
Single headed households with at least 1 child under 18 years of age or older family members (over than 55 years of age);or/and
Elderly headed household (i.e. composed of one or more individuals >55 years old or a person over 55 years of age responsible for at least one child <18 years old);or/and
Households with one or more persons with specific needs (disability, chronic illness, etc); and
Have not received cash assistance for return from UNHCR or any other organization.
AND
Are not enrolled with UNHCR and have not received cash assistance from other organizations.
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US unveils $1.5B in new energy, humanitarian aid for Ukraine
US unveils $1.5B in new energy, humanitarian aid for Ukraine
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris announced on Saturday a new $1.5 billion aid package for Ukraine, focused primarily on the war-torn country's energy sector and humanitarian assistance.
Harris unveiled the package while attending a two-day Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland. She said the package includes $500 million in new funding for energy assistance and the redirecting of another previously announced $324 million toward emergency energy funding.
"This funding will repair energy infrastructure damaged in the war, expand power generation, encourage private sector investment, and protect energy infrastructure," the White House said in a statement Saturday. "These efforts will help Ukraine respond to Russia’s latest attacks on Ukraine energy infrastructure by supporting repair and recovery, improving Ukraine’s resilience to energy supply disruptions, and laying the groundwork to repair and expand Ukraine’s energy system."
Harris also announced that, working with the U.S. Congress, the State Department plans to provide an additional $300 million in Ukrainian civilian security assistance to support life-saving equipment for Ukrainian border guards and law enforcement, according to the statement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been urging allies to provide increased assistance as Moscow has stepped up attacks recently in the Kharkiv area. Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Source: Politico
STATUS OF THE CONFLICT
STATUS OF THE CONFLICT
Ukrainian forces may be conducting an effort aimed at degrading Russian air defenses, which, if successful, could enable Ukraine to more effectively leverage manned fixed-wing airpower in the long run. The Ukrainian General Staff reported on June 12 that Ukrainian forces targeted one S-300 air defense battery and two S-400 air defense batteries near occupied Belbek and Sevastopol, Crimea overnight on June 11 to 12. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that the strikes destroyed at least two S-300/S-400 Russian air defense radar systems and caused secondary ammunition detonations, and that the Ukrainian military is clarifying battle damage. Geolocated imagery published on June 12 shows damaged and destroyed Russian S-300 assets north of occupied Yevpatoria and a destroyed Russian S-400 radar system south of occupied Dzhankoy, supporting the Ukrainian General Staff's June 10 report about strikes against Russian air defense assets in these areas.
Ukrainian forces conducted a strike against Russian air defense assets in occupied Crimea overnight on June 9 to 10, likely with ATACMS. The Ukrainian General Staff reported on June 10 that Ukrainian forces struck a Russian S-400 air defense battery near occupied Dzhankoi and two S-300 batteries near occupied Chornomorske and Yevpatoria. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian strikes hit the radar stations of each battery and caused secondary ammunition detonations and that Russian air defenses did not intercept any of the Ukrainian missiles. Russian opposition outlet Astra reported that Ukrainian forces launched at least 10 ATACMS missiles and that each targeted air defense installation was an element of the Russian 31st Air Defense Division (4th Guards Air Force and Air Defense Army, Southern Military District [SMD] and Russian Aerospace Forces [VKS]).
Sustained Ukrainian strikes against Russian military targets in occupied Crimea appear to be forcing the Russian military to commit additional air defense assets to Crimea in order to defend existing bases and logistics infrastructure, and further Ukrainian strikes against such air defense assets may render the peninsula untenable as a staging ground for the Russian military. Ukraine's Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) Head Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov reported on June 12 that Russian forces placed an S-500 air defense system (essentially a modernized version of the S-300) in Crimea as part of their efforts to strengthen Russia's air defense umbrella over Crimea. Budanov stated that Russian forces have not previously used an S-500 air defense system in combat and characterized the system as "experimental."
An unnamed senior US Department of Defense official reportedly said that the Biden Administration has no imminent plans to lift restrictions prohibiting Ukrainian forces from striking military targets in Russia’s operational and deep rear areas in Russian territory with US-provided weapons. Politico reported on June 13 that the senior official said that there is a “constant conversation and reassessment” of US policy restricting deeper Ukrainian strikes into Russian territory and that no decision is final, but that there is no “impending” policy change. ISW assesses that the Biden Administration’s limited policy change permitting Ukraine to use US-provided weapons to strike some Russian military targets in a small area within Russian territory has reduced the size of Russia’s ground sanctuary by only 16 percent at maximum. ISW assesses that the West maintains the ability to substantially disrupt Russian operations at scale by allowing Ukraine to use Western-provided weapons to strike Russia’s operational rear and deep rear areas in Russian territory.
Sources: ISW (June 14, 2024)
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UPDATES ON INTERNATIONAL MILITARY SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE
UPDATES ON INTERNATIONAL MILITARY SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE
Ukraine's Western allies continue to provide monetary and military assistance to Ukraine, including air defense systems. The Estonian Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced on June 11 that Estonia will provide an undisclosed number of Mistral man-portable short-range air defense systems and missiles to Ukraine as part of a new military assistance package.[1] European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced during the Ukrainian Recovery Conference in Berlin on June 11 that the European Union (EU) will transfer roughly 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion) worth of profits from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine in July, of which Ukraine will allocate 90 percent to defense spending and 10 percent to reconstruction.[2] Von der Leyen stated that the EU will also transfer an additional 1.9 billion euros ($2 billion) to Ukraine from the EU's Ukraine Facility mechanism, which is a separate fund that provides for the EU to transfer up to 50 billion euros ($53.7 billion) to Ukraine between 2024 and 2027.[3] German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated during the Ukrainian Recovery Conference that Germany will deliver a Patriot air defense system to Ukraine in the coming weeks and announced that Germany will also deliver an IRIS-T air defense system, an unspecified number of Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, and an unspecified number and type of missiles and ammunition to Ukraine in the coming weeks and months.[4] The German MoD initially announced the transfer of this third Patriot system in April 2024.[5] The New York Times, citing senior US administration and military officials, reported on June 11 that US President Joe Biden recently approved the transfer of another Patriot system to Ukraine following a series of high-level meetings and internal debates regarding the best ways to meet Ukraine's need for additional air defenses.[6] Unnamed US officials stated that the new system could be deployed to the frontline within several days depending on any maintenance or modifications that the system may need, as the system is currently stationed in Poland.
Source: ISW (June 11, 2024)
UPDATES ON INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE
UPDATES ON INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE
80 Countries Back Ukraine's 'Territorial Integrity' At Swiss Peace Summit
80 Countries Back Ukraine's 'Territorial Integrity' At Swiss Peace Summit
Eighty countries have called for the "territorial integrity" of Ukraine to be the foundation of any peace agreement to end Russia's war in a communique issued on the second and final day of their gathering at a Swiss resort on June 16.
Russia's absence at the Ukrainian-initiated Global Peace Summit has dampened hopes of any breakthrough, as has China's decision to stay away.
Participants India, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates were among those that did not sign the final document, which focused on issues of nuclear safety, food security, and the exchange of prisoners.
The final statement said the UN Charter and "respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty…can and will serve as a basis for achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine."
"We believe that reaching peace requires the involvement of and dialogue between all parties," it also said.
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said the conference was "rightly" titled "Path to Peace" because such a goal will not be achieved in a single step.
"It was not a peace negotiation because Putin is not serious about ending the war. He is insisting on capitulation. He is insisting on ceding Ukrainian territory -- even territory that today is not occupied by him," she said. "He is insisting on disarming Ukraine, leaving it vulnerable to future aggression. No country would ever accept these outrageous terms."
Sources: Radio Free Europe
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G7 agrees $50bn loan for Ukraine from Russian assets
G7 agrees $50bn loan for Ukraine from Russian assets
The G7 has agreed to use frozen Russian assets to raise $50bn (£39bn) for Ukraine to help it fight invading Russian forces.
US President Joe Biden said it was another reminder to Russia "that we're not backing down", but in Moscow President Vladimir Putin said the move was "theft" which would "not go unpunished".
Separately, some $325bn worth of assets were frozen by the G7, alongside the EU, following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The pot of assets is generating about $3bn a year in interest.
Under the G7 plan, that $3bn will be used to pay off the annual interest on the $50bn loan for the Ukrainians, taken out on the international markets.
The money is not expected to arrive until the end of the year but is seen as a longer-term solution to support Ukraine's war effort and economy.
Speaking at a joint news conference at the summit's venue in Puglia, southern Italy, President Biden said the $50bn loan would "put that money to work for Ukraine and send another reminder to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin that we're not backing down".
Source: BBC
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The U.S.-Ukraine Bilateral Security Agreement that Presidents Biden and Zelenskyy signed on the margins of the G7 Summit in Puglia, Italy today is a historic show of support for Ukraine’s long-term security that furthers commitments made under the G7 Joint Declaration of Support to Ukraine in July 2023 and the President’s approval of the Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act this spring. Under this ten-year agreement, the United States and Ukraine commit to strengthening security and economic cooperation, furthering Ukraine’s institutional capacity building and reform progress, seeking accountability for Russia’s actions, and establishing the conditions for a just and lasting peace.
The United States intends to provide assistance, advice, and training to build Ukraine’s defense and security capabilities, advance the reforms necessary to light Ukraine’s path toward EU accession and NATO membership, and bolster Ukraine’s defense industrial base through co-production and joint ventures with U.S. industry. The agreement furthers our goal of a secure, sovereign, and independent Ukraine that is integrated with the Euro-Atlantic community and militarily capable of defeating Russian aggression now and deterring it in the future.
The United States joins 15 partner countries which have already concluded bilateral agreements and arrangements with Ukraine under the Joint Declaration framework. We are working with all 32 Joint Declaration signatories to establish a broad, mutually reinforcing, and powerful network of nations to safeguard Ukraine’s future.
Sources: US Department of State
Press Statement by the US Secretary of State
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EU bolsters support for Ukraine’s recovery
EU bolsters support for Ukraine’s recovery
Nearly 900 days after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a Ukraine Recovery Conference is being held in Berlin to help ensure that Ukraine can continue to defend itself. At the Recovery Conference, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has announced several new initiatives that will help ensure that Ukraine remains the master of its own future and is brought closer to the European Union.
At the Conference, the EU has:
signed agreements worth €1.4 billion with partner banks to attract investments in Ukraine from the private sector,
announced dedicated support for equity investments in Ukraine with the aim of improving finance for Ukrainian businesses, especially for SMEs and start-ups that can help modernise the Ukrainian economy,
announced delivery of an additional €1.9 billion from the EU’s Ukraine facility by the end of June, due to the progress made with the Ukraine Plan, a raft of anti-corruption reforms and investment strategy,
announced the transfer of around €1.5 billion by July, of windfall profits generated from the immobilised Russian assets for investments in Ukraine’s defence and reconstruction.
In addition, close to €500 million have been raised for urgent repairs to Ukraine’s energy sector, through the Energy Support Fund. The EU Civil Protection Mechanism has helped to mobilise more than 15,000 solar panels to support Ukraine's energy sector and it now plans to provide 1000 more power generators through the rescEU strategic reserves. Furthermore, the EU has also agreed to exempt Ukraine from paying its financial obligations related to its participation in 14 EU programmes.
Since the start of the Russian aggression, the EU’s financial, humanitarian, emergency, budget and military support to Ukraine amounts to almost €100 billion.
Source: European Commission (June 11, 2024)
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Ukraine Recovery Conference in Germany: “Broad UN Commitment should sustain Ukrainian people with hope and dignity”
Ukraine Recovery Conference in Germany: “Broad UN Commitment should sustain Ukrainian people with hope and dignity”
Germany and Ukraine are co-hosting this year’s Ukraine Recovery Conference on 11 and 12 June. More than 2000 participants from more than 60 countries are meeting in Berlin to discuss how to further support Ukraine as the country rebuilds.
According to the German hosts, the Federal Foreign Office and the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the conference aims to send a new signal of solidarity with Kyiv at the start of a week of intense diplomacy.
The two-day Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin follows a similar gathering in London a year ago. It comes before the G7 summit of Ukraine’s leading Western allies in Italy and a global peace summit in Switzerland this coming weekend.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Achim Steiner, attending on behalf of the United Nations, emphasized in the run-up to the conference that “it is important to give the Ukrainians the feeling that there is a tomorrow”. “As war is still raging in Ukraine, the conference in Berlin will focus strongly on short-term measures”, Steiner said.
Source: United Nations
Statement: Statement by the United Nations at the Ukraine Recovery Conference, Berlin, Germany 12 June 2024
Related: For as long as it takes: Germany’s support for Ukraine
Luxembourg Stresses Continued Support for Ukraine Amidst Russian Aggression
Industry and government leaders eye renewables as basis for Ukrainian reconstruction
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Norway gives $103 million to Ukraine to secure electricity
Norway gives $103 million to Ukraine to secure electricity
Norway said it had already been decided that 120 million kroner, of the 1.1 billion kroner it will provide, would go toward repairs in the Kharkiv area, which has been hit particularly hard by Russian attacks recently.
Norway will provide 1.1 billion kroner ($103 million) to Ukraine to help repair its energy infrastructure and secure the country's electricity supply before next winter, the country announced on Sunday, June 16. "Russia is carrying out massive, systematic attacks to paralyze the power grid, but Ukrainians are working day and night to maintain essential electricity supplies for the population," Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said in a statement.
According to new estimates, more than 50% of Ukraine's power production capacity has been destroyed, the government said. "We are in close dialogue with Ukraine on how it can use these funds most effectively. The Ukrainians themselves have the best insight into what is needed," Store said, adding that it was important to begin infrastructure repairs before the onset of winter.
In 2022, Norway provided 2.1 billion kroner in funding to the Ukrainian energy sector, and 1.9 billion kroner last year. The Scandinavian country has pledged 75 billion kroner in military and civilian aid to Ukraine for the five-year period 2023-2027, with funding allocated each year in line with Ukraine's needs.
Source: Le Monde
HOLY FATHER ON UKRAINE
HOLY FATHER ON UKRAINE
General Audience - June 12, 2024
General Audience - June 12, 2024
E non dimentichiamo la martoriata Ucraina, non dimentichiamo Palestina, Israele. Non dimentichiamo il Myanmar e tanti Paesi che sono in guerra. Preghiamo per la pace, oggi ci vuole la pace. La guerra sempre, dal primo giorno, è una sconfitta. Preghiamo per la pace. Che il Signore ci dia forza per lottare sempre per la pace.
Links to the full text in ITALIANAngelus - June 16, 2024 (Sunday)
Angelus - June 16, 2024 (Sunday)
Let us not cease to pray for peace in Ukraine, in the Holy Land, in Sudan, in Myanmar and wherever people suffer from war.
Non cessiamo di pregare per la pace in Ucraina, in Terra Santa, in Sudan, Myanmar e dovunque si soffre per la guerra.
Links to the full text in ENGLISH and ITALIANNEWS
NEWS
Pope Francis meets with world leaders at G7 summit
Pope Francis met with Volodymyr Zelenskyi (Google translate)
Ukraine-Russia War: Why the Vatican is focusing on humanitarian goals
Cardinal Parolin at the Peace Summit: The Vatican offers its mediation in resolved humanitarian issues (Google translate)
Bishop Kryvytskyi at a meeting with G7 ambassadors: we need clarity and a clear distinction between the aggressor and the victim (Google translate)
Zelensky discussed humanitarian support for Ukraine with the Ecumenical Patriarch (Google translate)
"Being together is better." Caritas Italy organizes summer holidays for children from Ukraine (Google translate)
MEMBER REPORTS
MEMBER REPORTS
SITUATIONAL REPORT by Caritas Ukraine and Caritas-Spes Ukraine (March 1 - April 30, 2024)
MEMBER PHOTOS
MEMBER PHOTOS
Summer camp for both local and internally displaced children held at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Greek Catholic Parish in L'viv. This project is funded by ICMC for the second year (courtesy of ICMC).
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