Weekly Update #36
November 7

The IOM reported the percentage of refugees within the local populations of countries where IOM is present.

UKRAINE SITUATION

On the morning of 31 October, a new wave of missile attacks on electricity and heating stations across Ukraine caused large-scale water and electricity cuts, disrupting the services for millions of Ukrainians. This is the fifth time this month that a massive wave of attacks on energy infrastructure has been launched against Ukraine, hitting the country in the earlier hours of the day – when people were commuting to work – and leaving a still unconfirmed number of civilians injured.

The wave of attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which started on 10 October, is leaving millions of people across the country not only without power, but also limited access to clean water as the pumps to supply water depend on electricity. The lack of water is particularly critical now during the harsh cold season, as it is necessary to run the heating systems in most of Ukraine’s homes.

A new wave of missile attacks on 31 October left civilians injured and caused large-scale disruption to electricity and water supplies. This was the fifth time in October where a massive wave of attacks was launched on critical infrastructure across Ukraine. The President of Ukraine noted that Russian missiles and drone attacks have now destroyed up to 40% of Ukraine’s energy system. Rolling blackouts are being introduced.

Missile attacks occurred in at least 10 of Ukraine’s 24 oblasts, including central Cherkaska, Dnipropetrovska, Kirovohradska, Poltavska, Vinnytska, northern Kyivska, eastern Kharkivska, western Lvivska and south-eastern Zaporizka oblasts, according to the respective oblast administrations. Damages to critical infrastructure have been reported in the main cities of most of these regions, which led to power outages across the country. The interruption of power supplies caused trains to stop and left hospitals relying on generators to continue services in some locations, including Kharkiv.

Sources: UKRAINE – ESCALATION OF ATTACKS ACROSS THE COUNTRY Flash Update No.4 (November 1, 2022)

UNHCR Operational Response Delivery Updates - 2 November 2022

Internally Displaced Populations

(As of October 27)

IMPACT OF THE ESCALATION ON THE HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

The security and humanitarian situation remains dire across Ukraine including the ten of Ukraine's 24 oblasts that were affected by the waves of attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure that started on 10 October. According to the authorities, up to 40 per cent of the Ukraine’s energy system has been destroyed, causing emergency blackouts and major disruptions in electricity supply in several regions

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator warned on 20 October that millions of Ukrainians are beyond the reach of humanitarian organizations, and that assistance to newly accessible areas was also complicated due to landmines and explosive remnants.

Aside from the physical toll on people, humanitarian workers report that mental health issues are emerging, and this will be one of the most devastating and longer-lasting impacts of the war. We and our partners are working to strengthen our capacity to address the growing psychosocial needs in Ukraine, including for medical staff and other service providers who remain where attacks are taking place.

Humanitarian efforts focus on delivering much-needed relief supplies in areas, such as Kherson, where the Government recently regained control. As part of today's convoy, 11 trucks delivered winter supplies, water, medical kits, and high-energy biscuits to over 7,500 people in three communities. The supplies are enough to cover the most immediate needs of the entire population, which has dropped from 37,000 to 7,500 people.

Sources: OCHA Daily Noon Briefing Highlights - 26 October 2022

OCHA Daily Noon Briefing Highlights - 4 November 2022

Psycho-Social Impact of the Escalated War

A survey on the status of mental health in Ukraine during the war found that 71% of Ukrainians feel stressed because of the war and most of them do not seek help from a specialist. The survey was conducted within the framework of First Lady Olena Zelenska’s initiative to create the National Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Programme.

Since the beginning of the full-scale war, shelling has damaged more than a thousand medical facilities in Ukraine. The MoH of Ukraine reported that, as a result of these actions, 29 civilian doctors were killed and more than 100 were injured. According to the Ministry, 94 medical facilities were completely restored and 203 were partially restored. For further information, click here.

Since the start of the war well over half a million Ukrainians have consulted mental health specialists within the health-care system. “Since the beginning of the war, 650 000 people have turned to psychologists and psychiatrists in the health-care system, and they have received help. Outside the health-care system, there are also numerous psychologists at various levels, both state and non-state, such as in education, social policy, the armed forces, the National Police, the State Emergency Service.

Health Cluster partners are increasing access to counseling across the countries, in response to continued requests from various communities. war is affecting millions of people. UNHCR and partners are responding to an increasing demand for psychosocial support from internally displaced persons (IDPs) with a series of counselling events across the country.

Sources: War in Ukraine: situation report from WHO Ukraine country office: Issue No. 30, 2 November 2022

UNHCR Operational Response Delivery Updates - 2 November 2022

Winterization Response

The repair and insulation work for a house damaged by conflict is finished in Kyivska oblast through UNHCR’s shelter programme. Before the repairs, the wooden house was vulnerable to the cold and expensive to heat. With the new layer of wall insulation, the house is able to warm the family.

To date, over 1,000 houses have been completed with repairs. UNHCR is racing to repair as many houses as possible before the winter sets in.

Source: OCHA Ukraine Humanitarian Fund: 2022 Allocations Dashboard, January - September 2022

HOLY FATHER ON UKRAINE

Angelus - November 6, 2022

Viaggio Apostolico di Sua Santità Francesco nel Regno del Bahrein (3-6 novembre 2022) – Incontro di Preghiera e Angelus con i Vescovi, i Sacerdoti, i Consacrati, i Seminaristi e gli Operatori Pastorali presso la Chiesa del Sacro Cuore a Manama, 06.11.2022

Pope Francis: prayers for peace, including Ukraine and Ethiopia

Dear brothers and sisters, during these months we have been praying a great deal for peace. In this context, the agreement that was signed and which concerns the situation in Ethiopia represents hope. I encourage everyone to support this commitment for a lasting peace, so that, with the help of God, those involved may continue to journey on the paths of dialogue and that the population may soon find once more a peaceful and dignified life. And also I do not want to forget to pray, and to tell you to pray, for tormented Ukraine, for that war to end.

Angelus - November 1, 2022, Solemnity of All Saints

Dear brothers and sisters, please, let us not forget martyred Ukraine: let us pray for peace, let us pray that there may be in peace in Ukraine.

Cari fratelli e sorelle, per favore, non dimentichiamoci della martoriata Ucraina: preghiamo per la pace, preghiamo perché in Ucraina ci sia la pace.

Pope: he who believes in God says "no" to the blasphemy of war (Google Translate)

NEWS

Spain: "St. Josaphat" center for refugees from Ukraine in the Diocese of Getafe (Google Translate)

CR4U MEMBER REPORTS

DEPAUL INTERNATIONAL, October 31, 2022