Weekly Update #157
March 3, 2025

Source: UNHCR collation of statistics made available by the authorities

HUMANITARIAN SITUATION OVERVIEW

Ukraine Humanitarian Situation Report No. 47 - January-December 2024

The war in Ukraine intensified in its third year, devastating the lives of the 1.5 million children in regions on either side of the frontline. Access to children in occupied areas remained fully constrained. There are 3.6 million people now internally displaced; over 100,000 people were displaced in August and September 2024 alone.

In 2024, UNICEF together with its government and implementing partners reached 9.8 million people with humanitarian assistance, including 2.5 million children:

• 1.2 million people were supported to access health services.

• 760,000 children, adolescents and caregivers were able to access mental health and psychosocial support.

• 480,000 children participated in formal or non-formal education, including early learning.

• 5.8 million people accessed safe drinking water.

• 240,000 people from 70,000 households received humanitarian cash transfers.

UNICEF led a comprehensive winter response: Cash for winterization assistance reached 50,000 households while 5,000 families received solid fuel briquettes, winter clothing kits and winter blankets. School grants were provided to 700 schools to support the continuity of in-person education through the winter months. Energy and heat generation equipment has been delivered and is currently being installed in two municipalities in Sumy, six municipalities in Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia city.

Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs

The war in Ukraine intensified in its third year, devastating the lives of the 1.5 million children in regions on either side of the frontline. Access to children in occupied areas remained fully constrained. There are 3.6 million people now internally displaced; over 100,000 people were displaced in August and September 2024 alone.

Increased attacks on populated areas are damaging or destroying civilian infrastructure, including homes, schools and health centres. As seen in the map to the right, October and November saw a 72 per cent increase in attacks on Sumski district (556 attacks per month); a 270 per cent increase on Izumski district in Kharkiv Region (111 attacks per month); and a 78 per cent increase on Kramatorski district in Donetsk Region (228 attacked per month). Since February 2022, the United Nations has verified 2,472 child casualties (667 killed and 1,805 injured), or two child casualties each day. This includes 91 children killed and 539 injured in 2024. But even after the bombing stops, children continue to be at risk of the mines and explosive remnants covering about 25 per cent of the country, as well as the enduring mental health and psychosocial effects of the war on them and their caregivers. Children in frontline areas are forced to spend up to 5,000 hours – equivalent to nearly 7 months – sheltering underground. Nearly 1.2 million children are missing out on full-time, in-person learning. The COVID-19 pandemic and then the escalation of the war mean children are between one and two years behind in core subjects.

Mass attacks on energy infrastructure continued through Christmas Day. Between March and May 2024, Ukraine lost 9 gigawatts (GW) out of its 36GW pre-war power generation capacity. Strikes on energy infrastructure continued through November and December as freezing temperatures arrived. While scheduled national blackouts have decreased, these strikes continue to create outages in heating, water and power, interrupting services, including health care and education for children. Sixty per cent of people lack a back-up power source, while a quarter have no heating appliances.

Source: UNICEF

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Health needs assessment of the adult population in Ukraine: survey report: October 2024

The war continues to exert unprecedented pressure on all aspects of public life in Ukraine. Despite the significant negative impact of the war, the findings indicate that the country’s health system remains resilient, and that access to health services is adequate. The survey assessed health-care access and challenges across various groups, revealing high awareness of primary health care facilities, with 94% of respondents aware of their local facilities. Internally displaced persons faced greater challenges, particularly in accessing primary care and family doctors. Preventive care uptake was low, with 37% of those who had signed declarations and visited a family doctor in person in the last year not undergoing exams in the past year. Eight per cent of households still face problems with obtaining medicines, mostly related to increased prices and affordability.

 Vaccination rates were stable, although demand for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines remains low after a significant decline in 2023. Health expenses improved in the affordability of medicines (66%) and paid medical services (44%), but affordability remained a concern in frontline areas. Since the start of the war, 68% of respondents reported a decline in health, with sleep and mental health disorders and musculoskeletal issues most prevalent.

Executive Summary

The October 2024 health-care survey included 4000 respondents representing diverse demographics across Ukraine with 10.4% response rate. Awareness of local primary health care facilities was high, with 94% of respondents aware of their nearest facility, and 91% reporting that the facility was functional. However, internally displaced persons (IDPs) faced greater challenges, with 12% unaware of their primary care facility, compared to 5% for people who have remained in their home communities. Access to family doctors remained high and stable, even though remote consultations increased notably.

 Preventive care uptake levels were concerning, as 71% of people who had signed health-care declarations visited a family doctor for an in-person consultation in the last year, and 37% of them did not undergo preventive exams. IDPs faced a higher degree of barriers at 44%. While hypertension and diabetes screenings were common, regional disparities in access to care remained, particularly for chronic conditions. Cost of treatment and unavailability of services were significant barriers.

 Health-care delays increased, with 35% of households reporting postponed medical care, often due to self-treatment. Access to medications remained stable, with 8% of households unable to obtain necessary medicines in the last three months. Barriers included high medication costs (73% of respondents), not having enough money for medicines and unavailability of medicines in pharmacies. The unavailability of medicines increased, and heart, blood pressure and pain medications remained the most difficult to obtain. The Affordable Medicines Programme raised awareness (62%), but issues with unavailability and preferred brands persisted. Routine vaccinations for children and adults remained stable, but demand for the COVID-19 vaccine remains low after a significant decline in 2023. Access to human papillomavirus (HPV) and influenza vaccines was limited, with 63% unable to access HPV vaccines and 23% unable to access influenza vaccines. 

Household income showed a positive shift, with a decrease in those earning less than 10 000 hryvnias and an increase in those earning over 30 000 hryvnias. Despite improvements in affordability for medical services and medicines, frontline areas still faced greater challenges in affordability of paid medical services (35%) than in rest of the country (55%).

 Additionally, 45% of respondents required health information, particularly about chronic disease treatments and accessing health services. Since the onset of the war, 68% of respondents reported a decline in health, with sleep and mental health disorders and musculoskeletal issues being the most prevalent. Women experienced higher rates of sleep disorders (75%) and mental health issues (66%) than men (59% and 56% respectively). 

Source: WHO (Feb-21-2025)

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People still being forced to flee as the war in Ukraine continues

As Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine enters its fourth year, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, reminded the world this week that incessant aerial attacks are continuing to kill, injure and displace Ukrainians every day.

“In the last six months alone, more than 200,000 people have been evacuated from frontline areas in the east and north,” said Grandi on the three-year anniversary of the war on Monday.

He added that since the start of the war, around 10.6 million people have been forced from their homes. While most fled during the early stages of the Russian invasion, the displacement and suffering continues.

Many of those being displaced in the east and north of the country are arriving at transit centres before being helped to find temporary shelter at repurposed public buildings known as collective sites.

The centre provides a safe place for traumatized civilians while Proliska and other UNHCR partners provide the arriving evacuees with clothing, cash assistance to buy essentials, hygiene kits, legal aid and psychosocial support. 

“In this space they can relax and cry. These are the emotions that they have not been able to show up until now,” said Sinaeva. “People are tired. Tired of war. Everyone is tired.”

Three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and 11 years since the start of the war in the east and the occupation of Crimea, destruction and displacement continue to be a daily reality and an estimated 12.7 million people – around a third of the population still living in Ukraine – need humanitarian assistance. 

Sources: UNHCR (Feb-26-2025)

United Nations (Mar-2-2025)

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UNHCR’s Grandi urges world to remember Ukraine’s displaced and war-affected people

As we mark three years of devastating war in Ukraine, millions of ordinary Ukrainians – one third of the current population – are in desperate need of humanitarian aid. Their plight should be uppermost in everyone's minds, even as political events take centre stage.

Around 10.6 million people have been forced from their homes, seeking safety either within Ukraine or abroad. Most fled during the terrifying early stages of the Russian invasion, but massive and incessant aerial attacks continue to kill, injure and displace people every day. In the last six months alone, more than 200,000 people have been evacuated from frontline areas in the east and north.

Relentless attacks on critical civilian infrastructure, including energy plants, have left many without heat and electricity. More than 2.5 million homes across the country – 13 per cent of the housing stock – have been damaged or destroyed.

For Ukrainians, the pull of home is strong. However, while 60 per cent of refugees hope to return, insecurity, housing shortages and limited job opportunities keep most from doing so for now. When conditions improve and voluntary returns become more feasible, emergency shelter and humanitarian aid will play a crucial role in the rebuilding process.

From the first days of the war, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has been supporting the humanitarian response and recovery efforts in Ukraine and in countries generously hosting almost 7 million refugees.

We and our many local partners are providing vital assistance. Emergency shelter kits help people escape the elements, while financial assistance allows them to buy basic necessities. Psychosocial first aid offers immediate mental health relief, helping individuals cope with the trauma of this devastating war.

Together with the government, UNHCR has helped people rebuild their war-damaged homes, restore lost documents and access compensation. We ensure that displaced individuals receive accurate, up-to-date information about available services and support, helping them make informed decisions about their future.

As we reach this bleak, bloody milestone, UNHCR will remain on the ground in Ukraine – contributing to the country’s recovery and ready to support people who wish to return once the skies are free from missiles and drones.

However, the scale of the destruction and the huge numbers of displaced people make recovery a daunting task that will not happen overnight. Help must go to people in war-damaged homes, and to those who have lost their homes entirely. After three years of hostilities and bombardment, people have lost jobs, schools, communities, and loved ones. They will need all our support.

The killing of civilians, the incessant attacks and the destruction of homes and civilian infrastructure must stop. The process of recovery and reconstruction must continue.

Source: UNHCR (Feb-24-2025)

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Ukraine war: Amid shifting alliances, General Assembly passes resolution condemning Russia’s aggression

Three years to the day since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the UN General Assembly adopted two competing resolutions on resolving the conflict on Monday, one initiated by the United States and the other by Ukraine – a sign of strategic differences within the transatlantic alliance over the way forward for peace.

The resolution tabled by the United States, which omitted mention of Russian aggression, only passed after a majority of Member States voted to add EU-led amendments which led to the US abstaining on it own motion and voting against the Ukrainian text. 

However, the text in the original US resolution was passed hours later in the Security Council – the first to do so since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia on 24 February 2022.

Until Monday’s high stakes diplomatic debates, the Security Council – which is responsible for maintaining international peace and security – has been unable to find consensus, owing largely to Russia’s veto power as a permanent member.

The two General Assembly draft resolutions put before UN Member States during the morning session both ostensibly called for peace and an end to the conflict – but diverged fundamentally.

Source: United Nations (Feb-24-2025)

Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment

• Recent Russian official statements in response to the proposed US-Ukraine mineral deal indicate that the Kremlin is trying to sabotage the deal through narratives targeting Ukrainian and American audiences. The Kremlin is claiming that this mineral deal does not benefit Ukraine while also claiming that Russia can make a better offer to the United States, indicating that Moscow sees the deal as harmful to its objectives. 

• The Kremlin has a vested interest in preventing the United States and Ukraine from signing a mineral deal, as the deal will commit the United States to a long-term investment in Ukraine and Ukraine's sovereignty. 

• Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is attempting to exploit discussions between the United States and the EU about the possible deployment of European peacekeeping forces to Ukraine as part of a future peace settlement in order to reinvigorate the Kremlin's demands for regime change in Ukraine. 

• Senior US officials are suggesting that the United States may cut all aid to Ukraine, although US President Donald Trump has not indicated any such intention. Cutting the current flow of aid to Ukraine would directly undermine President Trump’s stated goal of achieving a sustainable peace in Ukraine. 

• Ukrainian forces, enabled by essential US assistance, are inflicting unsustainable losses on Russian forces while holding them to marginal gains. This situation, combined with the severe challenges Russia will face in 2025, offers the United States great leverage in peace negotiations. A suspension of ongoing US military assistance to Ukraine would encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin to continue to increase his demands and fuel his conviction that he can achieve total victory through war.

• The Kremlin launched another informational effort intended to discourage additional US and European military assistance to Ukraine by claiming that Russia has won the war in Ukraine.

Source: Institute for the Study of War (Mar-2-2025, Mar-1-2025)

UK, European leaders join forces to draft Ukraine peace plan to take to US

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Sunday European leaders had agreed to draw up a Ukraine peace plan to present to the United States, a vital step for Washington to be able to offer security guarantees that Kyiv says are essential to deter Russia.

European leaders agreed they must spend more on defence to show Trump the continent can protect itself, and the European Commission chief suggested the bloc could ease rules that limit debt levels.

Leaders did not provide details of their plan. Before the summit, French President Emmanuel Macron told newspaper Le Figaro that the plan would involve a one-month ceasefire that would apply to air and sea attacks but not to ground combat.

European troops would be deployed if a more substantial peace agreement was reached, he said. It was not clear whether other nations had agreed to the terms.

Source: Reuters (Mar-3-2025)

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UK announces new $2 billion deal to fund air-defence missiles for Ukraine

 British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday announced a new 1.6 billion pound ($2 billion) deal that would allow Ukraine to purchase 5,000 air-defence missiles using export finance.

Britain's Ministry of Defence said Thales (TCFP.PA), opens new tab will manufacture the lightweight-multirole missiles for Ukraine.

Thales said the missiles have a range of more than 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) and they can be fired from a variety of platforms on land, sea, and air.

"This will be vital for protecting critical infrastructure now and strengthening Ukraine in securing the peace when it comes," Starmer told reporters at a summit in London.

Russia last week launched more than 200 drones in an overnight attack, in what Ukraine said was the largest such attack since the start of the war three years ago.

Source: Reuters (Mar-2-2025)

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France, Britain propose partial one-month Ukraine truce, Macron tells Le Figaro

France and Britain are proposing a partial one-month truce between Russia and Ukraine that would not cover ground fighting, French President Emmanuel Macron told the daily newspaper Le Figaro on Sunday.

However, Macron said the truce would cover air, sea and energy infrastructure attacks.

"In the event of a ceasefire, it would be very difficult to verify (fighting) along the front was being respected," Macron told Le Figaro, adding that the front line was equivalent to the distance between Paris and Budapest.

Macron spoke to Le Figaro as he flew to London for a meeting with European leaders, convened by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to advance efforts at drawing up a Ukraine peace plan.

Under the Franco-British proposal, European ground troops would only be deployed to Ukraine in a second phase, Macron said.

"There will be no European troops on Ukrainian soil in the coming weeks," Le Figaro quoted Macron as saying.

"The question is how we use this time to try to obtain a truce, with negotiations that will take several weeks and then, once peace is signed, a (troop) deployment."

Zelenskiy, asked if he was aware of the plan, told reporters in London: "I'm aware of everything."

Macron has said his country and other European nations must spend more on defense. He told Le Figaro that this might mean in the region of 3% to 3.5% of gross domestic product. The European Commission also needed to be more innovative in financing defense spending, he said.

Source: Reuters (Mar-3-2025)

Ukrainian refugees at a refugee center in Przemyśl, Poland, participate in praying the novena for peace in Ukraine in February 2024. The center is run by the Foundation for Pastoral Care for the Family, which is supported financially by the Knights of Columbus.