Weekly Update #57
April 3
April 3
REFUGEE SITUATION
(as of 28 March 2023)
General Figures
Refugees from Ukraine recorded across Europe
8,173,211
Last updated 28 March 2023
Refugees from Ukraine registered for Temporary Protection or similar national protection schemes in Europe
5,008,482
Last updated 28 March 2023
Border crossings from Ukraine (since 24 February 2022)
19,740,849
Last updated 28 March 2023
Border crossings to Ukraine (since 28 February 2022)
11,200,087
Last updated 28 March 2023
REFUGEE PRESENCE IN EUROPE
(as of 27 March 2023)
THE STATE OF THE CONFLICT
Ukraine Crisis: 11-17 March 2023
Russian forces continued offensive operations in the area of Kreminna in the Luhansk region and north of Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region. Heavy fighting also continued in the Donetsk region, where Russian forces continued attempts to encircle Bakhmut, capturing several settlements around the city.
Meanwhile, Russian shelling along the frontline reportedly killed over a dozen civilians in the Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Kherson regions. Among them, six civilians were reportedly killed when Russian forces shelled a bus stop and residential buildings in Kherson on 21February. Russian shelling and missile strikes also hit civilian targets in several other regions, including in the western city of Khmelnytskyi, where Russian missiles struck civilian infrastructure on 18 February, and in the Sumy region, where a Russian anti-tank guided missile struck a civilian bus on 24 February.
Source: ACLED Ukraine Crisis: Political Violence Events - 11 -17 March 2023
Displacement
With no new IOM GPS report during the data collection period, IDP numbers remain relatively unchanged with a small increase in refugee numbers recorded in Europe. With returnees now outnumbering IDPs for the first time since the start of the conflict it is interesting to note some of the push/pull factors for return and challenges to local integration. Availability of housing was highlighted as the second biggest factor influencing returns (after security concerns), either encouraging return (where it was available) or discouraging it where it was not. For those who have given up on returning to their areas of origin, the widespread destruction to civilian infrastructure was given as a main reason.
Lack of services, jobs and the destruction of infrastructure also account for those who have returned deciding to move again. Data also indicates that many “returns” are intentionally only for a short time period. Local integration appears to be more challenging for those in collective centres than IDPs in private accommodation with those lacking local language skills and the Roma community highlighted as facing particular barriers.
Humanitarian Access
Safety concerns, particularly involving mines and explosive remnants of war are the main barriers in terms of humanitarian access. Incidents involving a direct attack on humanitarian personnel and infrastructure have declined but have no ceased completely. Hard-to-reach areas near the front line and area not under the control of the Ukrainian Government (NGCA) are the most concerning with some evacuations carried out including from Bakhmut. Overall, there are some groups that struggle to access aid more than others with older persons, LGBTQI+ individuals, Roma and Third Country Nationals and those in rural areas outside of collective sites citing barriers to accessing aid and information about humanitarian assistance.
A report by the Data Friendly Space (DFS) provides greater details on the various areas of impact of the war. It also shows a Crisis Timeline of the significant events.
Crisis Timeline
Source: DFS Ukrainian Crisis - Situational Analysis 27 Mar 2023
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Lukashenko: Russia could put intercontinental missiles in Belarus if necessary
President Alexander Lukashenko said on Friday that Russia, which has already decided to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, could if necessary put intercontinental nuclear missiles there too.
In an annual address to lawmakers and government officials, Lukashenko said Moscow's plans to station nuclear arms on the territory of its close ally would help protect Belarus, which he said was under threat from the West. Although Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday that the tactical missiles would remain under Moscow's control, Lukashenko suggested he could use them with Russia's agreement if Belarus was threatened with destruction.
He also raised the prospect of deploying strategic nuclear weapons - intercontinental ballistic missiles that can destroy whole cities from thousands of miles away - on Belarusian soil.
Source: REUTERS
CIVILIAN CASUALTIES
(As of March 26, 2023)
Total civilian casualties from 24 Feb 2022 - 26 March 2023
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has recorded
22,424 civilian casualties in the country. This included 8,401 killed and 14,023 injured.
18.012 casualties (6,520 killed and 11,492 injured) in territory controlled by the Government when casualties occurred)
4,412 casualties (1,881 killed and 2,531 injured) in territory occupied by the Russian Federation when casualties occurred:
Civilian casualties from 1 to 26 March 2023.
OHCHR recorded 644 civilian casualties in Ukraine:
159 killed (87 men, 49 women, 5 boys, 1 girl, as well as 17 adults whose sex is not yet known);
485 injured (220 men, 101 women, 20 boys, 1 girl, as well as 2 children and 141 adults whose sex is not yet known).
Source: OHCHR
THE HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE
UN Human Rights High Commissioner details severe violations and calls for a just peace
Addressing the 52nd Human Rights Council, the UN Human Rights High Commissioner described in detail key findings of the Human Rights Monitoring Mission. These included the following:
Verification of 8,400 civilian deaths and 14,000 wounded, which were just the tip of the iceberg;
Documentation of numerous summary executions and targeted attacks on civilians, with 621 cases of enforced disappearances;
Interviews with civilians on torture, including sexual violence, of young boys;
109 cases of sexual violence against women, including rape of girls under 18;
Torture of more than 90% of Ukrainian prisoners of war who had been released and summary execution of a number of them;
He noted that the report includes as well acts of torture perpetrated by Ukrainian military forces.
Source: OHCHR
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Invocation of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism to Examine Reports of the Russian Federation’s Forcible Transfer and Deportation of Ukraine’s Children
The United States and 44 other countries, with the support of Ukraine, invoked the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe’s (OSCE) Moscow Mechanism requesting that the OSCE’s Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) establish an expert mission to examine allegations of the forced transfer of children in those parts of Ukraine’s territory temporarily controlled or occupied by Russia, as well as allegations that Ukraine’s children have been deported to the Russian Federation. This expert mission will look into whether such actions and any abuses associated with or resulting from them violate international law, constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity, and/or contravene relevant OSCE commitments. This mission will also be tasked with collecting, consolidating, and analyzing any evidence that could be shared with relevant accountability mechanisms as well as national, regional, or international courts or tribunals that may have jurisdiction.
This invocation follows OSCE’s April and July 2022 Moscow Mechanism Mission Reports, which were requested by the United States and 44 other countries.
n times of war, children are among the most vulnerable and require special attention and protection. Forcibly transferring or deporting children who have been separated from their families or legal guardians risks exposing them to further abuses. We urge relevant authorities to cooperate fully with the expert mission and facilitate its work. The United States and our partners remain steadfastly committed to supporting Ukraine and holding the Russian Federation to account for its unconscionable abuses.
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A Q&A document has been developed to elaborate on further information regarding aspects of the justice response to the Russia-Ukraine war. The document provides responses to these following questions:
1. What international humanitarian law and human rights violations have been committed in Ukraine since Russia commenced a full-scale military invasion of the country in February 2022?
2. Who can be held responsible for violations of international humanitarian law?
3. Who is primarily responsible for ensuring accountability for serious international crimes?
4. Have Russian officials prosecuted any individuals for serious crimes under international law in Ukraine?
5. Have Ukrainian officials prosecuted any individuals for serious crimes in Ukraine?
6. What support is the Ukrainian criminal justice system receiving to carry out investigations and prosecutions domestically?
7. Is Ukraine a member of the International Criminal Court?
8. When did the ICC prosecutor open an investigation into the situation in Ukraine?
9. Since Russia is not an ICC member country, how is it that the ICC prosecutor investigates allegations against Russian nationals for crimes committed in Ukraine?
10. How are ICC arrest warrants enforced?
11. Aren’t heads of state immune from prosecution?
12. Will the ICC prosecutor bring additional cases in the investigation in Ukraine?
13. Does the ICC override national authorities in carrying out investigations and prosecutions?
14. How have governments reacted to the ICC arrest warrants against Putin and Lvova-Belova?
15. How has the ICC prosecutor’s decision to open a Ukraine investigation impacted the resources available to the court?
16. Can judicial officials in other countries investigate and prosecute international crimes committed in Ukraine?
17. Have judicial officials in other countries opened any investigations into serious crimes in Ukraine?
18. What other international initiatives exist to contribute to criminal justice efforts in Ukraine?
19. Does Human Rights Watch support the establishment of a tribunal on the crime of aggression?
20. Would pursuing justice through the ICC or nationally be an obstacle to any peace deal?
21. What does the unprecedented commitment to accountability for crimes in Ukraine mean for other situations where civilians suffer?
The attached document provides the answers to these questions.
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OSCE and UN Special Reps statement on trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation and sexual violence in the context of war against Ukraine
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Valiant Richey, and UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, expressed their grave concern about the harm of sexual exploitation, and sexual violence and its cost for the whole of society, as a result of the ongoing war against Ukraine.
Their statement noted that the protracted war in Ukraine has put pressure on the most vulnerable populations. Consequently, it would be imperative that the humanitarian response should be “accompanied by sustainable solutions that increase societies’ resilience against trafficking in persons, especially women and children, for the purpose of sexual exploitation and sexual violence”.
They highlighted that comprehensive measures would include: i) training of law enforcement border guards and security officers to identify and assist victims and potential victims; ii) providing investigators and prosecutors with adequate resources and information-sharing networks to ensure accountability for trafficking crimes; iii) providing victims with holistic physical, psychological and socio-economic assistance and services to enable rehabilitation and reintregration.
Their statement reiterated the commitment of the OSCE particularly to the Ukrainian crisis – “In response to the increase of trafficking risks and in line with our international, regional and national obligations and commitments, we have a collective responsibility to prevent the current humanitarian crisis turning into a human trafficking crisis. We commit to scaling up and strengthening our actions to enhance the overall response to trafficking in human beings for the purpose of sexual exploitation, and all forms of sexual violence.’
Source: OSCE
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EIB approves “EU for Ukraine” Initiative to finance Ukraine recovery and reconstruction, and backs transport, energy and business investment around the world
The Board of Directors of the European Investment Bank (EIB) today approved the EU for Ukraine Initiative, a new scheme to finance reconstruction and recovery in Ukraine. The EU for Ukraine Initiative is conceived as a temporary scheme which will enable continued EIB engagement in the country while expected medium term EU support is put in place.
The EIB also agreed EUR 1.8 billion financing for sustainable transport, corporate innovation, clean energy, climate action and digitalisation across Europe and around the world.
As part of the EU for Ukraine Initiative, the EIB will establish the EU for Ukraine Fund to enable European Union member states, the European Commission and other countries and donors to support reconstruction and recovery in Ukraine. The EU for Ukraine Fund will provide credit enhancement to EIB loans for both public and private sector investment.
The EU for Ukraine Initiative will be accompanied by a EUR 100 million dedicated technical assistance package. This will provide best-practice reconstruction advisory expertise in both Ukraine and Moldova and help develop priority investment projects, assisting Ukrainian and Moldovan project promoters facing challenging circumstances.
Earlier this week, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Kubrakov briefed the EIB Board of Directors on the acute challenges facing Ukraine and outlined the short and medium-term public and private investment priorities in the country. The “EU for Ukraine” initiative follows requests by both the European Council and Ukrainian leaders to rapidly scale-up support for Ukraine’s most urgent infrastructure needs.
The EU for Ukraine initiative will allow the EIB to scale up financing, using contributions from donors, to repair damaged energy and transport networks, back municipal investment to provide services for displaced people and improve access to finance by Ukrainian entrepreneurs in coordination with Ukrainian and international partners.
The new initiative will also enable financing to support restoration of critical infrastructure including energy, transport, health, social services and district heating, cyber security, and business investment.
The EU for Ukraine initiative will support priority reconstruction and recovery investment in sectors identified by the Government of Ukraine, World Bank, European Commission, and United Nations in the second Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment published earlier this month
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EU expands Ukrainian support
The European Union took additional measures to boost its support for Ukraine:
Application of the EU Temporary Protection Directive (August 2022): the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights has published a report entitled “How do EU countries apply the EU Temporary Protection Directive?” (covering the nine EU Member States with the most significant number of displaced persons fleeing the war in Ukraine (as of July 2022), including the four EU Member States bordering Ukraine.
Source: https://fra.europa.eu/en/news/2022/how-do-eu-countries-apply-eu-temporary-protection-directive
Humanitarian assistance (11 August 2022): The EU has coordinated the delivery of 66,224 tonnes of in-kind assistance to Ukraine from 30 countries via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The assistance delivered includes 180 ambulances, 125 fire-fighting vehicles, 300 power generators, 35 heavy machinery vehicles, and 4 pontoon bridges. This is by far the largest, longest lasting and most complex operation via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism since it was established in 2001, with an estimated value so far of over €425 million. To support this operation, logistics hubs have been set up in Poland, Romania and Slovakia where assistance is then chanelled directly to Ukraine.
Source: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_4945
Medical evacuations of Ukrainian patients (5 August 2022): the EU has successfully coordinated 1,000 medical evacuations of Ukrainian patients via its Civil Protection Mechanism to provide them with specialised healthcare in hospitals across Europe.
Source: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_22_4882
EU regions and cities organising summer camps for Ukrainian children (22 July 2022):
Source: https://cor.europa.eu/en/news/Pages/Summer-camps.aspx
Urgent temporary measures for Ukrainian driver documents (07 July 2022):
The legislative proposal is linked to the reception of Ukrainian refugees and aims at reducing the administrative requirements normally applying to third country drivers when driving within the EU. This innovative measure alleviates the administrative burden on Ukrainian refugees as regards driving documents and, at the same time, provides a harmonised approach for the duration of temporary protection.
Reconstruction of Ukraine (30 June 2022): The European Alliance of Cities and Regions for the Reconstruction of Ukraine was launched by the CoR and its partners, including EU and Ukrainian associations of local and regional authorities, to coordinate their joint efforts directed towards helping the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine.
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Additional Assistance from Japanese Government for Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine
The Government of Japan announced it is providing two grant aid projects for recovery and reconstruction in Ukraine.
1. Grant Aid to Ukraine “the Programme for Emergency Recovery Phase 2”
(1) On March 29, 2023, H.E. Mr. MATSUDA Kuninori, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine and H.E. Mr. Oleksandr Kubrakov, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine and Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine signed and exchanged notes for the Grant Aid “the Programme for Emergency Recovery Phase 2” (grant amount 53.072 billion yen (400 million US dollars) in Kyiv, Ukraine.
(2) This cooperation will provide the Government of Ukraine, which has been suffering from Russia’s aggression, with equipment necessary for （1）mine action and debris clearance, which are prerequisites for recovery and reconstruction, （2）livelihood reconstruction including the provision of basic infrastructure, （3）recovery of agriculture as a key industry and （4）strengthening democracy and governance. This will thereby contribute to the rapid recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine.
2. Support to Critical Energy Infrastructure Restoration and Immediate Provision of Energy Equipment in Ukraine
(1) On March 28, 2023, the Government of Japan decided to extend Grant Aid of 70 million US dollars as support for recovery and reconstruction in Ukraine through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
(2) This project will support restoration of energy infrastructures damaged by Russian attacks, and thereby will contribute to recovering and enhancing power supply to Combined Heat and Power Plants (CHPs) which provide Ukrainian people with electricity, heat and water.
3. These support will embody the new additional grant aid of 470 million US dollars, announced by Prime Minister Kishida during his visit to Ukraine on March 21. Japan expressed its continued support to 1. people of Ukraine who are facing hardship, in collaboration with the international community, including the G7 members.
Source: Govt. Japan
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Generators and transformers offered to Ukraine
As Russia continues to destroy the energy infrastructure of Ukraine, generators and transformers are urgently needed. Humanitarian partners and donors have placed these as priorities in order to provide heating to the general population.
The map below shows the European countries that have included generators and transformers in their aid to Ukraine.
Source: ECHO
EU Response to the War in Ukraine
Solidarity and housing: Supporting Safe Homes Considerations, key principles and practices:
https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2022-07/Safe%20homes%20guidance_en.pdf
European Commission, Communication on “Temporary protection for those fleeing Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: one year on,” 8 March 2023:
Joint paper on JHA Agencies’ contribution to EU Solidarity with Ukraine, 31 March 2023:
Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) Call for proposals. Deadline: 16 May 2023:
The call covers the following topics:
Promoting community sponsorship schemes and integration of persons in need of protection
Integration and inclusion at regional and local level
Support to integration in education of migrant children and young adults
Multi-stakeholder initiatives for migrant integration into the labour market
Promoting complementary pathways linked to education and/or work
Transnational actions to support Member States in the field of protection of children in migration
HOLY FATHER ON UKRAINE
General Audience - March 2292023
Saluto cordialmente i pellegrini polacchi. Tra pochi giorni ascolteremo una commovente descrizione della Passione di Cristo. Questo racconto risvegli nei vostri cuori il pentimento e l'apertura all'amore di Cristo, che ci ha amato fino alla fine. Abbandonando l'uomo vecchio, potete portare il Signore con rinnovato zelo a coloro che vivono in mezzo a voi. In particolare, continuate a sostenere i vostri fratelli e sorelle sofferenti nell'Ucraina, nella martoriata Ucraina. Vi benedico di cuore.
Perseveriamo nella preghiera e nella vicinanza alla martoriata Ucraina.
Links to the full text in ITALIANAngelus - April 2, 2023
I extend a special blessing to the Caravan of Peace that, during these days, departed from Italy bound for Ukraine, promoted by a variety of associations: Pope John XXIII, FOCSIV, Pro Civitate Christiana, Pax Christi and others. Along with basic necessities, they are bringing the closeness of the people of Italy to the battered people of Ukraine, and today, they are offering olive branches, symbols of the peace of Christ. Let us unite ourselves to this gesture with our prayer, which will be more intense during the days of Holy Week.
Rivolgo una benedizione alla Carovana di pace che in questi giorni è partita dall’Italia per l’Ucraina, promossa da varie Associazioni: Papa Giovanni XXIII, FOCSIV, Pro Civitate Christiana, Pax Christi e altre. Insieme con generi di prima necessità, portano la vicinanza del popolo italiano al martoriato popolo ucraino, e oggi offrono rami di ulivo, simbolo della pace di Cristo. Ci uniamo a questo gesto con la preghiera, che sarà più intensa nei giorni della Settimana Santa.
Links to the full text in ITALIAN and ENGLISH
TODAY'S WAY OF THE CROSS - CATHOLIC RESPONSE FOR UKRAINE
We invite you to join us for a special opportunity to hear from Bruce Compton, CHA’s Senior Director of Global Health and Monsignor Robert J. Vitillo, Secretary General of the International Catholic Migration Commission about their visit to Ukraine earlier this month.
In Ukraine Catholic aid agencies work together to help the people, as described in the following interview with Msgr. Robert Vitillo, head of the International Catholic Migration Commission, who recently visited the war-torn nation.
IMAGES FROM CR4U MEMBERS
Existing and emerging war conflicts, such as in Ukraine, have led to a dramatic development of trafficking. The United Nations has verified more than 100 cases of rape or sexual assault since the beginning of the war, but it is only the tip of the iceberg (Caritas Ukraine)