Weekly Update #46
January 16
January 16
KEY FACTS ON THE UKRAINIAN CRISIS
As of Jan. 3, more than 7.91 million refugees from Ukraine were recorded across Europe according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
As of Dec. 5, there are 5.9 million IDPs in Ukraine. This represents a slight decrease compared to 6.5 million at the end of October. However, among these, 680,000 have been newly displaced within the previous 30 days.
Around 9.3 million people across Ukraine require food and livelihood assistance from March to December 2022.
As of Jan. 4, the World Health Organization had verified 747 attacks on health care in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.
As of Jan. 4, there were more than 5.35 million cases of COVID-19 and 110,813 deaths in Ukraine. The active hostilities and COVID-19 pandemic are exacerbating chronic mental health problems.
In December, UNOCHA said the number of aid organizations working in Ukraine had increased five-fold in the past nine months to 700. More than 60% are national non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
As of Dec. 8, UN agencies and humanitarian partners have reached 13.6 million people with humanitarian assistance since Feb. 24. The oblast with the most people reached is Kharkivska.
From Feb. 24 to Jan. 3, 2023, there were more than 17.13 million border crossings from Ukraine, according to UNHCR. As of Jan. 3, 7,915,287 refugees from Ukraine were recorded across Europe. The war has caused the world’s fastest-growing displacement crisis since World War II. According to the revised Ukraine Situation RRRP, 90% of refugees are women and children.
As of Jan. 3, Poland had seen 8,683,718 border crossings from Ukrainians fleeing the war and 1,553,707 refugees from Ukraine registered in the country, the most of any neighboring country.
As of Jan. 3, 2,419,288 Ukrainian refugees were registered for Temporary Protection or similar national schemes in neighboring countries. The TPD is the first time the bloc has invoked such an emergency power. Observers have noted that the reception for Ukrainians in the EU is in stark contrast to how the continent has viewed asylum seekers from other parts of the world.
According to the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) General Population Survey (Round 11), an estimated 5,914,000 people have been internally displaced within the country since Oct. 26. Of these, 57% are women and 43% are men, and 42% of IDP households include one or more older persons.
The overall estimated number of IDPs decreased by 626,000 people from Oct. 27 to Nov. 25. The largest number of IDPs are located in the east.
IOM estimates 5,236,000 total returnees since Oct. 26, including former IDPs from locations within Ukraine and self-reported returns from outside the country. There are concerns about less attention and support for IDPs compared to refugees.
Multiple forms of gender-based violence (GBV) are being reported, with high risk for women and girls fleeing, at border crossing points, transit centers and bomb shelters. According to estimates by the GBV Sub-Cluster, around 3.7 million people need GBV prevention and response services.
The war has devastated Ukraine’s economy, with hostilities and displacement driving the loss of livelihoods and income. Around 9.3 million people across the country require food and livelihood assistance from March to December 2022.
The conflict is likely to exacerbate world hunger, particularly in countries already facing famine or high levels of malnutrition and food shortages. It will also increase the costs of many products globally. Ukraine exported a number of products that will significantly impact the global food supply chain. Ukraine and Russia export 28% of the world’s wheat and 15% of its corn.
Source: https://disasterphilanthropy.org/disasters/ukraine-humanitarian-crisis/
KEY FIGURES AT A GLANCE
CONFLICT OVERVIEW (as of 13 January 2023)
Continued intense fighting
Fighting is still raging in Soledar as well as in Bakhmut, with heavy shelling reported in both settlements. Attacks continued in other regions of Ukraine on 12 January, including Khersonska and Sumska oblasts, impacted by shelling and missile attacks on a daily basis.
Kremlin claims Soledar: Russia's ministry of defense has claimed that forces took control of the town of Soledar in eastern Ukraine. It is of little strategic value, experts say, but would represent a symbolic victory for Vladimir Putin. But a Ukrainian official has said that this is "not true." Serhiy Cherevaty, spokesperson for the Eastern Group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, told Ukrainian outlet RBC-Ukraine that "fighting is going on in the city."
On the ground: Various units of the Ukrainian military detailed the "fierce fighting" happening in Soledar. Ukraine’s General Staff said troops are "holding a dense and solid defense line" while coming under "non-stop" attacks from assault unites of a private military company, Wagner.
Importance of Soledar: Two days after citing only regular Russian forces for the attack on Soledar, the Russian Defense Ministry on Friday credited Wagner for spearheading the "direct assault." This is the latest in the back-and-forth between the Ministry of Defense and the mercenary group. Moscow has struggled for months to attack Bakhmut from the east, but were it to capture Soledar, Russia would at least be able to approach the city from a different path.
Black Sea Grain Initiative slows down: Following Russia's Black Sea blockade of Ukraine's ports in the early days of the full-scale invasion, a U.N-backed deal in July allowed grain shipments to partially resume from some ports. Since then, Russia has been accused of deliberately holding up inspections to slow grain shipments in an effort to discredit the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Russia has also falsely alleged that grain shipments have not made it to countries that need it most. According to Greenfield, Russia’s attacks and continued blocking of some Ukrainian ports have decreased Ukraine’s food exports by about 30%. Russia's continued blocking of Ukraine's Black Sea ports and deliberate slowdown of ship inspections are delaying crucial grain shipments around the world, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said Friday, The Kyiv Independent reported
Ukraine and Russia are major suppliers of wheat and other cereals to Africa, and the war's impact has been felt across the continent with sharp increases in the price of fuel, grain and fertilizer.
But many African nations have shown a reluctance to condemn Russia's invasion.
As the Russian attacks continue, Western allies reiterate their support for additional weaponry to Ukraine. The European Commission is coordinating the delivery of assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to Ukraine, from all 27 Member States and four Participating States. Over 78,600 tonnes of assistance from these countries and items from rescEU stockpiles have been delivered to Ukraine via the UCPM logistic hubs in Poland, Romania and Slovakia.
With the Saturday missile offensive by Russia, several Western governments have decided to answer Zelensky’s longstanding call to supply modern battle tanks to Kyiv. France, Poland and the United Kingdom have pledged to soon send tanks for the Ukrainian military to use in its efforts to protect itself from Russia. Finland is considering following suit. Britain said it plans to send a dozen Challenger 2 tanks and additional artillery systems. Poland plans to send a company of German-built Leopard tanks while France will deliver its domestically built AMX 10-RCs.
CIVILIAN CASUALTIES
(As of January 10, 2023)
Total civilian casualties from 24 February to 9 January 2023
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) recorded a total of 18,906 civilian casualties in Ukraine as of 9 January 2023. UNICEF reported that 1,148 children have been killed or injured since 24 February :
a total of 6,952 killed (2,758 men, 1,857 women, 176 girls, and 220 boys, as well as 35 children and 1,906 adults whose sex is yet unknown)
a total of 11,144 injured (2,425 men, 1,739 women, 234 girls, and 322 boys, as well as 254 children and 6,170 adults whose sex is yet unknown)
Total civilian casualties from 1-31 December 2022
From 1 to 9 January 2023, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) recorded 135 civilian casualties in Ukraine:
34 killed (16 men, 10 women, 1 boy, as well as 7 adults whose sex is yet unknown); and
101 injured (33 men, 14 women, 1 boy, as well as 53 adults whose sex is yet unknown).
Sources: OHCHR Ukraine: civilian casualty update 10 January 2023
ACLED: Ukraine Crisis:10 December 2022 – 6 January 2023
ISW: RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, JANUARY 13, 2023
HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE
In 2023, the needs inside Ukraine are expected to remain enormous. The focus of the response is expected to transition from emergency response to supporting governments in fostering the inclusion of refugees in national systems. Some operations, including in the Republic of Moldova, will continue small-scale, targeted cash-for-protection programmes for the most vulnerable. Given the exceptionally high proportion of women and children among the refugees, activities to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, sexual exploitation and abuse and trafficking will remain a priority, as well as child protection activities.
Source: UNHCR Ukraine Situation
UKRAINE REGIONAL RESPONSE OVERVIEW
Humanitarian Response Plan Funding Update
HUMANITARIAN NEWS
Security Council denounces Russian aggression
In the meeting of the Security Council on 13 January 2023, Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, noted the approaching one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine. Throughout the holiday season, the Russian Federation’s forces continued their strikes on key cities in Ukraine, she said, noting that too many Ukrainians spent the festive season in bomb shelters or mourning the loss of loved ones. Drawing attention to 10 people killed on 24 December 2022, as well as the attacks of 29 December 2022 targeting various regions, she said that, despite the announcement of a possible cessation of hostilities over Orthodox Christmas — a holy period for both Russians and Ukrainians — the attacks have continued in the new year. Ground fighting has intensified, especially in the Donetsk region, while relentless battles, including street fighting, pose a great threat to the civilian population in areas of active hostilities.
Turning to efforts towards accountability, she said that, since 24 February, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has documented over 90 cases of conflict-related sexual violence, the majority of which fall under torture and ill-treatment in detention, predominantly affecting men.
The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court will prioritize investigation of the alleged targeting of civilian objects and the unlawful transfer and deportation of civilians, including children, from Ukraine to the Russian Federation. Welcoming ongoing contacts towards exchanges of prisoners of war, as well as the meeting hosted in Türkiye on 11 January between the Russian and Ukrainian ombudspersons, she added that the Black Sea Grain Initiative continues to make a difference, including by helping bring global food prices down. The United Nations is engaging with all stakeholders to remove remaining obstacles to Russian Federation food and fertilizer exports, including ammonia.
While the invasion has created a humanitarian and human rights catastrophe, traumatized a generation of children, and accelerated the global food and energy crises, this grave damage could pale in comparison with the consequences of a prolonged conflict, she cautioned. Ukraine, Russian Federation and the world cannot afford for this war to continue, she underscored.
Statements on the conflict were also made by Albania, United States, Ecuador, Mozambique, Switzerland, France, China, Russian Federation, Gabon, Malta, UAE, UK, Japan, Ukraine, Poland, and the EU.
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IAEA Executive Director warns on Ukraine’s nuclear safety and security
Italy is a steadfast partner in the challenges facing the IAEA today with a long history of achievements in the nuclear field, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi emphasized this week as he travelled to Rome to meet with country's leadership. In a two-day visit, Mr Grossi met with Italy's President and Foreign Minister, as well as His Holiness Pope Francis, to engage on a variety of issues including nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, nuclear non-proliferation, and the role of nuclear science and technology in combating climate change.
In his meeting with Sergio Mattarella, Mr Grossi thanked the President for his country's continuous support to the IAEA, particularly to the Agency's assistance to the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in Ukraine --- Europe's largest nuclear power plant. In September the IAEA established a permanent presence at ZNPP beset with power outages caused by shelling, putting nuclear safety and security at the plant at risk. Mr Grossi thanked Mr Mattarella for his support to the IAEA's mission.
Meeting with Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Mr Grossi thanked Italy for its essential backing to the Agency's work, including through its role as the chair of the IAEA's General Conference --- the organization's supreme decision-making body.
Mr. Tajani expressed his full support to the IAEA's activities in Ukraine, saying: "Regarding Zaporizhzhya, we are working to protect Europe from possible damage." In September, Italy joined Foreign Ministers from Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, the United States of America, as well as the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, in issuing a joint statement of support for establishing a nuclear safety and protection at ZNPP.
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IAEA Executive Director meets with Pope Francis
On 12 January, the IAEA Executive Director met with Pope Francis, who is the head of state of the Holy See, an IAEA Member State, and Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher. Humbled and grateful to meet the head of the Roman Catholic Church once again, the two spoke about climate change impacts and the nuclear non-proliferation.
In his discussion with Mr. Grossi, Pope Francis echoed points from his recent address to the Vatican's diplomatic corps, in which he reaffirmed his stance on the possession of atomic weapons and the risks they pose. Mr Grossi and the Pope also spoke about the potential of nuclear science and technology in addressing the worsening global climate crisis.
After the meeting, Mr. Grossi said that he deeply appreciated the encouraging words of the Pope regarding the importance of the IAEA's work in promoting dialogue and solutions based on multilateral negotiations, including in Ukraine.
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Ukraine health system boosted
Deputy Minister of Health Mariia Karchevych said that more than one billion hryvnias has already been raised fort he needs of Ukraine’s health-care system through the UNITED24 initiative. The funds collected were used to purchase, among other things, 133 ambulances with equipment for transporting the seriously injured, 13 armored medical evacuation vehicles, 35 transport ventilators, 28 pediatric ventilators, 81 operating tables, 7954 external fixation devices, devices. In addition, according to the Deputy Minister, during martial law, Ukraine received 10500 tons of medical humanitarian aid valued at 12.8 billion hryvnias from more than 30 countries, international and partner organizations, domestic and foreign businesses, and directly from health-care facilities in other countries.
The Ukrainian Public Health Centre (UPHC) has provided operational emergency response centres nd rapid response groups, created on the basis of Oblast Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (OCDCs), with the necessary equipment and means of personal protection to respond to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear emergencies. The UPHC provided the OCDCs with modern equipment in the maximum configuration and means of personal protection, which would make it possible to diagnose chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats, and to carry out work to respond to any emergencies they involve. Special trainings and educational events on the effective and safe use of the equipment and personal protective equipment received are planned for members of emergency response operational centers and rapid response groups.
HOLY FATHER ON UKRAINE
General Audience - January 11, 2023
E non dimentichiamo la martoriata Ucraina, sempre nel nostro cuore; a questo popolo che sta sperimentando crudeli sofferenze esprimiamo il nostro affetto, la nostra vicinanza e la nostra preghiera. E ora sosterrò alcuni istanti in silenzio davanti all’icona conosciuta come Madonna del Popolo, venerata in Belarus, pregando per quel caro Paese e per la pace. Vi invito a unirvi spiritualmente a questa mia preghiera.
Links to the full text in ITALIANAngelus - January 15, 2023
Brothers and sisters, let us not forget the tormented Ukrainian people, who are suffering greatly. Let us stay close to them with our sentiments, our aid, and our prayer.
Fratelli e sorelle, non dimentichiamo il martoriato popolo ucraino, che soffre tanto! Restiamo vicini a loro con i nostri sentimenti, con il nostro aiuto, con la nostra preghiera.
Links to the full text in ITALIAN and ENGLISHPope prays for Ukraine as Eastern Churches celebrate Christmas
NEWS
Cardinal Krajewski to bring more humanitarian aid to Ukraine
Prayers as Russian strikes kill over a dozen in eastern Ukraine
UKRAINE: AFTER 11 MONTHS UNDER BOMBS, A 6-YEAR-OLD GIRL DIES OF A HEART ATTACK (Google Translate) / Italian Original
President of Poland Andrzej Duda prayed for peace in Ukraine in the Lviv Cathedral
