Weekly Update #91
November 27
November 27
REFUGEE SITUATION
(as of 21 November 2023)
General Figures
Refugees from Ukraine recorded across Europe
5,946,000
Last updated November 21 2023
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
392,100
Last updated October 14 2023
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
6,338,100
Last updated November 21 2023
Source: UNHCR collation of statistics made available by the authorities
STATUS OF THE CONFLICT
Continuing conflict
Russia on Saturday morning launched its most intense drone attack on Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion in 2022, targeting the Ukrainian capital, military officials said. In total, Russia launched 75 Iranian-made Shahed drones against Ukraine, of which 74 were destroyed by air defenses, Ukraine’s air force said. The assault on Kyiv began at 4 a.m. local time, continuing in waves for more than six hours, and caused power outages in 77 residential buildings and 120 institutions. The attack was carried out on the morning of Holodomor Memorial Day, which commemorates the manmade famine in Soviet Ukraine that killed millions of Ukrainians from 1932 to 1933. It is marked on the fourth Saturday in November.
The attack in the early hours of Saturday primarily targeted the capital Kyiv. Dozens of Russian kamikaze drones were heard circling over the city for a period of roughly six hours before many were intercepted by Ukrainian air defences. It was the most significant attack since May this year, in which residents were targeted at least 15 times in a month. Last winter, Russia launched a brutal campaign targeting critical infrastructure across Ukraine for several months.
Ukrainian officials reported that Russian forces began a renewed offensive effort towards Avdiivka on November 22, although likely with weaker mechanized capabilities than in the previous offensive waves that occurred in October. Ukrainian officials reported a 25 to 30 percent increase in Russian ground attacks near Avdiivka on November 22 and stated that Ukrainian forces repelled several Russian columns of roughly a dozen armored vehicles in total during assaults. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces repelled at least 50 Russian assaults in the Avdiivka direction on November 23 and 24.
Ukraine’s Western allies declared their commitment to further develop Ukrainian air defense capabilities during the 17th Ramstein Group virtual meeting on November 22. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Germany and France will lead a coalition of 20 countries to further develop Ukraine’s air defenses, and Ukrainian Defense Minister added that the coalition will help Ukraine further develop its ground-based air defense systems
Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the Collective Security Treaty Organization’s (CSTO) Collective Security Council session in Minsk, Belarus on November 23 against the background of Armenia’s continued absence from recent CSTO events and exercises. Putin thanked the session’s attendees for contributing to the regional defense structure and highlighted expanding military-technical cooperation between CSTO member states. Kremlin Spokesperson stated on November 23 that the Kremlin regretted Armenia’s absence in Minsk but stated that Armenia remains “an ally and strategic partner” to Russia. The Kremlin has previously attempted to dispel concerns about the deterioration of Russian-Armenian relations.
European states are responding to Russia's continued orchestration of an artificially created migrant crisis on its northwestern borders. The Finnish government announced on November 22 that Finland will close three more checkpoints on the Finnish-Russian border from November 23 to December 23, leaving only the northernmost checkpoint open. Norwegian Prime Minister Johan Gahr Store stated on November 22 that Norway would also close its border to Russia “if necessary.“ Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur stated on November 23 that an increased number of migrants have also arrived at the Estonian-Russian border and that Russia is organizing the arrivals as part of an effort to “weaponize illegal immigration.”
Russian and Chinese executives have been holding secret talks on underwater tunnel to Crimea. Russian and Chinese business executives have been secretly discussing the construction of an underwater tunnel from Russia to annexed Crimea, Ukraine’s security services claim.
Kyiv claims to have intercepted transmissions about plans to build a vast tunnel under the Kerch strait, as Vladimir Putin’s prized 11-mile bridge there comes under sustained Ukrainian attacks.
More than 150 ships carrying grain and other cargo have now travelled through Ukraine's Black Sea corridor, according to the US ambassador in Kyiv.
Grain infrastructure has been targeted by Russia since it exited a UN and Turkey-brokered deal that allowed the safe passage of ships in the Black Sea earlier this year.
This has made it much harder for ships carrying grain to get in and out of Ukraine safely - however, this latest report will provide some encouragement for authorities.
This Ukraine role has allowed the farming industry in Ukraine - one of the most crucial to the internal economy - to be effectively supported.
Sources: ISW
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Repeated attacks on hospitals in Ukraine take a tragic toll on lives and infrastructure
On Monday 20 November, two missiles hit a hospital in Selydove, Donetsk region of Ukraine, where five Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) staff were present. Although no MSF staff were harmed, eight people inside the hospital were injured, including two Ministry of Health staff. Tragically, three people have been reported killed when part of the hospital collapsed from the missiles. MSF condemns this attack on a hospital, the second in a week, and once again calls for the protection of medical facilities.
This is the second attack within a week on a hospital in Ukraine where MSF is present. On Monday 13 November, a hospital in Kherson region was targeted with artillery. The attack destroyed 150 windows and badly damaged the emergency department where MSF worked. Three people were injured, and a Ministry of Health staff member died from injuries sustained during the attack.
MSF has been working in the emergency room and intensive care unit of the hospital in Selydove since July 2023 and in the emergency room in the hospital in Kherson since October this year. Due to the insecurity and extensive damage to the buildings, we have been forced to temporarily suspend our presence inside these hospitals. However, we are committed to continuing to support with ambulance referrals. MSF teams continue to work in the emergency department and provide surgical care in other hospitals in Donetsk and Kherson regions, as well as conducting mobile clinics in areas close to the frontlines where there is limited access to healthcare services.
Source: MSF
THE HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE
UKRAINE HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE 2023
Last updated: 23 Nov 2023
As of October, more than 10 million people received humanitarian assistance, an increase of 1 million people from September, out of the 11.1 million people targeted for assistance this year. Over 60 per cent of the people assisted were women and girls, and nearly 20 per cent were children.
The humanitarian community provided health services to 7.2 million people, water and hygiene services to 5.8 million, food and livelihood support to 4.1 million, and child protection services for 2.2 million. Furthermore, 1.9 million teachers and children received educational support. Also, 1.9 million people received protection services — counselling, legal aid and awareness programmes.
Nearly 1.3 million people have been supported as part of initiatives to prevent gender-based violence and help survivors. Moreover, mine action efforts reached 800,000 people, mostly through mine awareness and risk education activities.
Humanitarian organizations are responding to needs arising from the onset of winter as identified in the Winter Response Plan, which aims to support 1.7 million people through March 2024. As of the end of October, over 360,000 people have received winter support —heating supplies like fuel and blankets, generators, essential medicines, medicsupplies and warm clothing. Also, some 95 inter-agency convoys from January to October have significantly complemented regular programme efforts, reaching the most affected and recently adapting to meet the winter needs in these communities.
Almost 540 humanitarian organizations are implementing activities under the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan, of which more than 65 per cent are national NGOs. As of 13 November, the humanitarian response plan was funded at 53 per cent, amounting to $2.08 billion
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Germany’s defense minister unveils more help for Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s invasion
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius vowed Tuesday to keep supporting Ukraine’s efforts to win its war against Russia, pledging further military aid worth 1.3 billion euros ($1.4 billion).
The new support is to include further Iris-T SLM anti-aircraft missile systems as well as anti-tank mines and 155-millimeter artillery shells, German news agency DPA reported.
Pistorius’ unannounced trip to the Ukrainian capital came a day after U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin traveled to Ukraine and pledged American support “for the long haul,” including an additional $100 million in weapons from U.S. stockpiles.
The visits appeared to be part of an international political effort to keep the war in the public mind as other issues clamor for attention, including the Israel-Hamas conflict.
European Council President Charles Michel also arrived in Kyiv on Tuesday, which is the 10th anniversary of what Ukraine calls its Revolution of Dignity. That uprising brought momentous change for Ukraine, pushing it closer to the West and bringing confrontation with Moscow.
Germany is the second biggest single provider of military and financial support to Ukraine after the United States, and German officials said Pistorius aimed to assess the effectiveness of its aid as well as take stock of the fighting during his visit.
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US Defense Secretary Austin meets with Zelenskyy in Kyiv to show steadfast support for Ukraine
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Monday in a high-profile push to keep money and weapons flowing to Ukraine even as U.S. and international resources are stretched by the new global risks raised by the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Austin, who traveled to Kyiv by train from Poland, met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Chief of Staff Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi.
While there Austin announced the Pentagon would be sending an additional $100 million in weapons to Ukraine from U.S. existing stockpiles, including artillery and munitions for air defense systems. The package also includes another High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS.
Zelenskyy said Austin’s visit was “a very important signal” for Ukraine. “We count on your support,“ Zelenskyy said, thanking Congress as well as the American people for their backing.
This is Austin’s second trip to Kyiv since Russia’s 2022 invasion, but he’s making it under far different circumstances, as the world’s attention is drawn to the Middle East and signs of fatigue set in with the almost 21-month Russia-Ukraine war.
Austin’s first visit occurred in April 2022, just two months after the start of the war. At the time, Ukraine was riding a wave of global rage at Moscow’s invasion, and Austin launched an international effort that now sees 50 countries meet monthly to coordinate on what weapons, training and other support could be pushed to Kyiv.
But the conflict in Gaza could pull attention and resources from the Ukraine fight. The U.S. has worked feverishly since the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel, and the weeks of devastating bombardment on Gaza by Israel that has followed, to prevent the conflict from turning into a regional war. Even as Austin stood in St. Michael’s Square in Kyiv, the first question asked at a press briefing at the end of the short visit was about Israel’s use of U.S.-provided weapons in that conflict, instead of about Ukraine.
Both conflicts have already seen significant U.S. military support. To back Israel and keep that conflict from spreading, the U.S. has already committed two carrier strike groups, scores of fighter jets and thousands of U.S. personnel to the Middle East, and has had to shift its force posture and conduct airstrikes against Iranian-backed militant groups that are now hitting U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria on a regular basis.
For Ukraine, the U.S. has already provided more than $44 billion — and allies have sent an additional $35 billion — in weapons packages that range from millions of bullets to air defense systems, advanced European and U.S. battle tanks and, finally, pledges for F-16 fighter jets.
But Ukraine still needs more, and after almost 20 months of shipping arms to Ukraine, cracks are beginning to show. Some European countries such as Poland have scaled back support, noting their need to maintain adequate fighting ability to defend themselves.
Ukrainian officials have strongly pushed back on suggestions they are in a stalemate with Russia after a long-awaited counteroffensive over the summer did not radically change the battle lines on the ground. In a visit to Washington last week, Andriy Yermak, head of the president’s office, provided no details but confirmed that Ukrainian forces had finally pushed through to the east bank of the Dnieper River, which has essentially served as the immovable front line between Ukrainian and Russian forces for months.
However, as winter sets in it will become more difficult for either side to make large gains due to ground conditions. That could further work against Ukraine if U.S. lawmakers perceive there’s time to wait before more funds are needed. Ukraine and the U.S. expect that this winter Russia will go after Ukraine’s infrastructure again, like the power grid, making air defenses critical.
Further complicating the support is that the Pentagon has only a dwindling amount of money left in this year’s budget to keep sending weapons to Ukraine, and Congress is months late on getting a new budget passed and has not taken up a supplemental spending package that would include Ukraine aid.
Since the war began in February 2022, the U.S. has provided more than $44.2 billion in weapons to Ukraine, but the funding is nearly gone. The Pentagon can send about $5 billion more in weapons and equipment from its own stocks. But it only has about $1 billion in funding to replace those stocks. As a result, recent announcements of weapons support have been of much smaller dollar amounts, such as the $100 million package announced in Kyiv by Austin, than in months past.
Officials have been urging Congress to provide additional money, but a growing number of Senate Republicans have opposed additional Ukraine aid without securing support for other unrelated provisions, such as stricter immigration laws and additional funding for border control. A stopgap spending bill passed last week to avoid a government shutdown during the holidays did not include any money for Ukraine.
Source: AP News
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A modular settlement for 112 IDP families, built with the support of the Ukrainian Red Cross, has been opened in Chernihiv
A modular settlement for internally displaced people was officially opened in Chernihiv yesterday. It consists of 7 two-story houses with a total of 112 apartments. The apartments are fully equipped with household appliances and furniture for comfortable living.
The Ukrainian Red Cross has raised almost UAH 157 million to build the modular settlement. In addition, two 100 kW generators have been supplied in case of emergency outages.
Source: Ukrainian Red Cross Society
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UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, repairs houses and restores hope for war-affected and returning families across Ukraine.
Once, Velyka Danylivka was a peaceful, rural suburb of Kharkiv in Ukraine, where small cosy houses and gardens lined the streets. However, Kharkivska oblast that neighbours the Russian Federation took one of the heaviest hits when the Russian full-scale invasion began in February 2022. While some areas in the region fell under temporary military control of the Russian armed forces, other parts were and remain subjected to shelling, leaving behind hundreds of destroyed homes.
Once the security situation improved, UNHCR started to roll-out its house repair programme in Kharkivska oblast. This programme had initially been launched in August 2022 in Kyivska oblast to help war-affected families repair their houses damaged by hostilities in areas such as Irpin, Borodyanka, Ivankiv and Makariv.
Under this program, damaged houses are repaired in a durable way, and broken roofs, windows and doors are replaced or repaired, to make the homes habitable again. In October, UNHCR reached an important milestone of 20,000 houses and apartments repaired across Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Durable house repairs are part of UNHCR’s Emergency Shelter and Housing Programme that aims to ensure that the most vulnerable people affected by the war, whether displaced, remaining at home or having returned from displacement, have access to adequate housing. To help people quickly fix their homes, UNHCR also distributes Emergency Shelter Kits and construction materials. *
At collective sites hosting displaced people, UNHCR improves living conditions and helps families to seek alternative shelter, by assisting them with cash to enter the private rental market. In 2022, over 160,000 people benefited from these shelter and housing programmes and more than 201,000 people have been supported so far in 2023.
Source: UNHCR
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Health Cluster Ukraine update (October 2023)
Health Cluster partners continue to mobilize support to collectively provide comprehensive humanitarian health assistance to people in need.
As of 31 October, 111 partners, composed of local and international organizations, reported reaching 7 226 366 people* in 3658 settlements, supporting 1270 individual health care facilities across 24 oblasts through the provision of humanitarian health assistance, as defined in the 2023 Ukraine Humanitarian Response Plan.
In response to the attack in Hroza, Kharkiv on 5 October, six Health Cluster partners coordinated an integrated Health response through the deployment of mobile medical units, provision of MHPSS services on site, and donation of medical supplies to designated health facilities. In total, partners provided 67 MHPSS consultations, and 19 medical consultations. The Health Cluster Kharkiv team continued to coordinate with the Kharkivska oblast health authorities and OCHA.
Health Cluster: People targets by Oblast (HRP 2023)
Health Cluster: People reached by oblast, as of October 2023
Source: Health Cluster, WHO
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On World Children's Day UNICEF emphasizes on the urgency of upholding children's rights for recovery of Ukraine
In a pivotal meeting on World Children's Day, key Ukrainian public figures and authorities including First Lady Olena Zelenska and representatives of the Government of Ukraine have highlighted that the duty of the state is to create the conditions required for every child to grow up in a safe and caring family environment, with the help of the timely support of families and the development of family-based forms of care.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) invited six teenagers from different parts of Ukraine to share their stories. This group, which included children with disabilities, talked about their lives, challenges, achievements and experiences. Each narrative illustrated, among other things, the fundamental rights of children embodied in specific examples – from the right to have a safe and loving family to the dignified life and inclusion of children with disabilities.
According to a U-Report survey conducted by UNICEF, there is a concerning lack of awareness about the Convention on the Rights of the Child among Ukrainian youth. Over 35 per cent of children under 18 are not versed in the convention, although more than half express a desire to learn more about their rights. Additionally, 45.4 per cent of children report that the negative effects of the conflict have impacted their rights.
In a move to enhance the awareness and understanding of children's rights, and as part of the organisation’s mandate to uphold the rights of all children, UNICEF Ukraine has undertaken the task of revising and expanding the formats of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This initiative aims to make the Convention more accessible to children and parents across Ukraine.
As part of continued efforts to emphasize the importance of raising awareness about children's rights and the need to protect them, UNICEF has created updated child-friendly versions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child to enable as many Ukrainian children as possible to learn about their rights. The range of updated formats includes an audio book, a video version in sign language, and printed books in special fonts to facilitate reading for children with dyslexia and visual impairments. All versions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child will be accessible at the website.
Source: UNICEF
HOLY FATHER ON UKRAINE
Angelus - November 26, 2023 (Sunday)
Yesterday tormented Ukraine commemorated the Holodomor, the genocide perpetrated by the Soviet regime which, 90 years ago, caused millions of people to starve to death. That lacerating wound, instead of healing, is made even more painful by the atrocities of the war that continues to make that dear nation suffer. For all peoples torn apart by conflicts, let us continue to pray tirelessly, because prayer is the force of peace that stops the spiral of hatred, that breaks the cycle of revenge and opens up unexpected paths of reconciliation.
Ieri la martoriata Ucraina ha commemorato l’Holodomor, il genocidio perpetrato dal regime sovietico che, 90 anni fa, causò la morte per fame di milioni di persone. Quella lacerante ferita, anziché rimarginarsi, è resa ancora più dolorosa dalle atrocità della guerra che continua a far soffrire quel caro popolo. Per tutti i popoli dilaniati dai conflitti continuiamo a pregare senza stancarci, perché la preghiera è la forza di pace che infrange la spirale dell’odio, spezza il circolo della vendetta e apre vie insperate di riconciliazione.
Links to the full text in ITALIAN and ENGLISHGeneral Audience - November 22, 2023
E non dimentichiamo di perseverare nella preghiera per quanti soffrono a causa delle guerre in tante parti del mondo, specialmente per le care popolazioni dell’Ucraina, la martoriata Ucraina, e di Israele e della Palestina.
Links to the full text in ITALIANNEWS
Pope attends screening of documentary on war in Ukraine
Holodomor, Parolin: a terrible page in Ukrainian history, like the war today (Google translate)
Ivano-Frankivsk Archeparchy psychologists work with wives of defenders
Bishop Kawa: we pray that the tragedy of the Holodomor will not be repeated (Google translate)
MEMBER PHOTOS
Caritas Poland helped hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees who arrived in Poland and responded to the humanitarian appeal of its sister organizations in Ukraine – the Roman Catholic Caritas-SPES and Greek Catholic Caritas Ukraine. The scope of assistance provided by Caritas covers all the areas of life that have been devastated by the war. (courtesy of Caritas Polska)