Humanitarian Impact of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

Humanitarian Impact of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

Mezie-Okoye, Chukwurah Charles, PhD
Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused numerous issues for Ukrainians, particularly women and children. We investigated the human toll and subsequent humanitarian crisis caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022. We collected and analysed data from Russian military attacks on Ukrainians between February 24 and August 4, 2022. The data documented direct deaths and injuries, damage to healthcare infrastructure and the impact on health, the destruction of residences, infrastructure, communication systems, and utility services, all of which disrupted Ukrainians’ lives. As of 30 October 2022, Russian attacks had killed 6152 civilians and injured 8713 others in Ukraine. Local officials estimate that up to 25 319 people were killed in mass atrocities, with Mariupol being the most severe (n=22 000). Aside from the destruction of large swaths of homes, schools, roads, and bridges, hospitals and health facilities in 21 cities across Ukraine were targeted. Water, gas, electricity, and internet service disruptions also impacted medication and other supplies due to destroyed facilities or production that ceased due to the war. The data also show an increase in HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and Coronavirus cases in Ukraine (COVID-19). The 2022 Russia-Ukraine War not only resulted in deaths and injuries, but it also had an impact on Ukrainians’ lives and safety by destroying healthcare facilities and disrupting healthcare and supply delivery. Given the ongoing destruction of infrastructure and services that directly affect the well-being of human lives, the war is a continuing humanitarian crisis. The devastation, trauma, and human cost of war will affect future generations of Ukrainians.

INTRODUCTION

The full-fledged Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022. Ukraine had a population of 41.6 million people before the war (State statistics service of Ukraine. 2021). As of 4 August 2022, 7.1 million people remained displaced – forced to flee their own homes by the war within Ukraine – and 10.3 million refugee movements out of Ukraine had been recorded (UN Refugee Agency) (UNHCR). Before the war, Ukraine’s healthcare system was already facing challenges such as underfunding and inequities in resource distribution and hospital location (Romaniuk, 2018).

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused a humanitarian catastrophe. Urban warfare is wreaking havoc on civilian infrastructure, and people are likely to go hungry, become ill, and lose their physical and mental health quickly. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia could result in up to seven million refugees. Experts believe the battle will quickly become Europe’s worst humanitarian disaster since the 1990s. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has resulted in Europe’s worst humanitarian disaster in decades. With hundreds of thousands of people fleeing the growing violence, neighbouring countries and international organisations are banding together to condemn Russia’s war and help the growing number of refugees (https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/ukraine-humanitarian-crisis-refugees-aid).

A Refugees International (RI) team travelled to Poland from March 2 to March 9, 2022, in the aftermath of Russia’s renewed invasion of Ukraine. The crew drove 600 kilometres through eastern Poland, stopping at border crossings and receiving centres in cities where migrants fleeing Ukraine were housed. They met with refugees, Polish civil society activists, and UN, US, and Polish officials. As a result of the Russian invasion, Ukraine is in a human rights and humanitarian disaster. It is estimated that 6.48 million people are internally displaced within Ukraine, with over 3.3 million fleeing as refugees. The vast majority of refugees are women and children, who are especially vulnerable to trafficking, sexual exploitation, and gender-based violence. Poland has received over 2 million refugees. (https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/crisis-ukraine-humanitarian-and-human-rights-imperatives).

According to the UNHCR, 10 million people, or nearly a quarter of the population, have been displaced, with over four million fleeing to neighbouring countries such as Hungary, Moldova, and Poland. The UN is preparing for up to seven million internally displaced people and up to seven million refugees, the largest war-related mass migration since the Balkan Wars of the 1990s. As of March 20, 2022, at least 902 people had been killed and 1,459 had been injured, though the true figures are likely to be much higher (https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/ukraine-humanitarian-crisis-refugees-aid).

Many Russian assaults have targeted densely populated areas, forcing citizens to seek refuge in subway stations and leaving hundreds of thousands without power, water, or basic necessities. Experts are particularly concerned about Russia’s increasing reliance on artillery, cluster bombs, rockets, and other weapons capable of wreaking havoc on civilian populations, particularly in Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Mariupol. This escalation, they say, will almost certainly result in more civilian deaths and infrastructure damage.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine not only resulted in a humanitarian disaster, but also exposed citizens to the COVID-19 outbreak. This is because only about 36% of Ukrainians received the entire COVID-19 vaccination. As the country’s health-care systems are already stretched thin, access to treatment is becoming increasingly difficult.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused a humanitarian catastrophe. Urban warfare is wreaking havoc on civilian infrastructure, and people are likely to go hungry, become ill, and lose their physical and mental health quickly.

The invasion of Ukraine by Russia could result in up to seven million refugees. Experts believe the battle will quickly become Europe’s worst humanitarian disaster since the 1990s. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has resulted in Europe’s worst humanitarian disaster in decades. With hundreds of thousands of people fleeing the growing violence, neighbouring countries and international organisations are banding together to condemn Russia’s war and help the growing number of refugees (https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/ukraine-humanitarian-crisis-refugees-aid).

A Refugees International (RI) team travelled to Poland from March 2 to March 9, 2022, in the aftermath of Russia’s renewed invasion of Ukraine. The crew drove 600 kilometres through eastern Poland, stopping at border crossings and receiving centres in cities where migrants fleeing Ukraine were housed. They met with refugees, Polish civil society activists, and UN, US, and Polish officials. As a result of the Russian invasion, Ukraine is in a human rights and humanitarian disaster. It is estimated that 6.48 million people are internally displaced within Ukraine, with over 3.3 million fleeing as refugees. The vast majority of refugees are women and children, who are especially vulnerable to trafficking, sexual exploitation, and gender-based violence. Poland has received over 2 million refugees (https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/crisis-ukraine-humanitarian-and-human-rights-imperatives).

The UN refugee agency estimates that 10 million people, or nearly a quarter of the population, have been forced to flee their homes. Almost 4 million of them have fled to neighbouring countries such as Hungary, Moldova, and Poland. The UN is preparing for up to seven million internally displaced people and up to seven million refugees, the largest war-related mass migration since the Balkan Wars of the 1990s. As of March 20, 2022, at least 902 people had been killed and 1,459 had been injured, though the true figures are likely to be much higher (https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/ukraine-humanitarian-crisis-refugees-aid).

Many Russian assaults have targeted densely populated areas, forcing citizens to seek refuge in subway stations and leaving hundreds of thousands without power, water, or basic necessities. Experts are particularly concerned about Russia’s increasing reliance on artillery, cluster bombs, rockets, and other weapons capable of wreaking havoc on civilian populations, particularly in Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Mariupol. This escalation, they say, will almost certainly result in more civilian deaths and infrastructure damage.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine not only resulted in a humanitarian disaster, but also exposed citizens to the COVID-19 outbreak. This is because only about 36% of Ukrainians received the entire COVID-19 vaccination. As the country’s health-care systems are already stretched thin, access to treatment is becoming increasingly difficult.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a violation of both the United Nations Charter and international law. It has resulted in a humanitarian and human rights disaster, traumatized a generation of children, and has exacerbated the global food and energy crises. Nonetheless, this severe damage may pale in comparison to the consequences of a protracted conflict (Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo in remarks to the Security Council in New York, 13 January ’23).

As essential supplies and services are disrupted and civilians flee the fighting, the escalation of conflict has resulted in an immediate and steep increase in humanitarian needs. According to the UN, 12 million people within Ukraine will require relief and protection, while over 4 million Ukrainian refugees may require protection and assistance in neighbouring countries in the coming months. On March 1, 2022, the UN and humanitarian partners launched coordinated Flash Appeals totalling $1.7 billion to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to Ukrainians and refugees in neighbouring countries (https://news.un.org/en/focus/ukraine?gclid).

In the weeks following the outbreak of conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, the country’s humanitarian situation has outperformed even the direst predictions. Neighbouring countries are experiencing massive refugee influxes, primarily of women and children. More than 5.2 million people have fled Ukraine in search of safety, with 90% of them being women and children. The U.N. The conflict is expected to affect 18 million people, including 7.7 million who will be internally displaced. These figures are based on a volatile and rapidly changing situation on the ground, with people fleeing for safety.

Many Russian attacks have targeted densely populated areas, forcing civilians to seek shelter in subway stations and leaving hundreds of thousands without power, water, or basic necessities. Experts are also concerned about Russia’s growing reliance on artillery, cluster munitions, rockets, and other weapons capable of wreaking havoc on civilian populations, particularly in the major cities of Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Mariupol. According to them, this escalation will almost certainly result in more civilian casualties and infrastructure damage (Roy, 2022).

CARE has launched a humanitarian appeal to assist Ukraine’s most vulnerable citizens, particularly women and the elderly. Our goal is to provide life-saving assistance to 4 million conflict-affected individuals. The response of CARE is regional, drawing on partnerships in affected countries. CARE collaborates with Polish Humanitarian Aid (PAH), Polish Centre for International Aid (PCPM), and Ukrainian House in Poland. CARE collaborates with Charity Foundation Stabilization Support Services (CFSSS), International Renaissance Foundation (IRF), and People in Need in Ukraine (PIN). CARE collaborates with SERA, the Federation of Child Protection NGOs (FONC), and the Red Cross in Romania. CARE collaborates with the Red Cross in Slovenia (https://www.care.org/our-work/disaster-response/emergencies/ukraine-humanitarian-crisis/).

METHODOLOGY

The study employed the historical descriptive research design and used existing secondary data sources to access information. The secondary sources used included articled, dailies, journals, documents, books, internet and libraries on Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The humanitarian consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

The Kremlin’s decision to launch a full-fledged military assault has exacerbated Ukraine’s humanitarian situation. Not the direct destruction of capital goods, but the collateral damage caused by them: disruption of public services, interruption of industrial chains, and market disintegration under uncertainty, has historically had the greatest negative impact. Massive refugee flows will result in significant human capital loss. This harm can be significantly reduced in the modern era if armed combat is avoided in urban settings. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case.

Civilian deaths and damage to civilian infrastructure in Ukraine have forced people to flee their homes in search of safety, protection, and assistance. In the first five weeks, over four million Ukrainian migrants crossed borders into neighbouring countries, and many more were forced to relocate within Ukraine. They require safety and assistance. An inter-agency regional refugee response is underway to supplement the efforts of refugee-hosting countries. The Regional Refugee Response Plan brings together the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, and other relevant partners to help host country governments ensure safe access to territory for refugees and third-country citizens fleeing Ukraine in accordance with international norms. It also prioritises protection services and humanitarian aid, as people are migrating and their needs are growing at an exponential rate.

This attack came despite a call between French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin in which the Russian president said he was “willing to commit” to ending attacks on civilians and civil infrastructure while peace talks in Belarus were ongoing, according to the Elysée palace.

A school destroyed as a result of fighting not far from the centre of Kharkiv. Photograph: Sergey Bobok/AFP/Getty Images

Total Refugee Influx from Ukraine in Neighbouring Countries

Location name                Source                      Data date              Population 

After three weeks of fighting, the Russian armed forces had not been able to cut off the Ukrainian armed forces except in Kherson. Russian forces have begun to engage in urban warfare, causing significant collateral damage to critical civilian infrastructure such as water and heat delivery networks, electrical grids, and sewage systems. With the destruction of infrastructure, the metropolitan population faces a significant risk of famine, disease transmission, and a rapid decline in physical and mental health. Prior to the war, government-controlled metropolitan areas housed 70% of the Ukrainian population.

Russia’s sweeping entry into Ukraine represents the worst-case scenario in terms of humanitarian and civilian protection, following months of military build-up along Ukraine’s borders. Loss of life, damage to civilian property and infrastructure, and disruption of essential services are all humanitarian consequences of Russian shelling and military activity near and around civilian population centres.

The Russian invasion follows eight years of occupation and fighting in Donbas, as well as ongoing humanitarian issues for residents of the region. It also follows a months-long build-up of forces whose presence intentionally created degrees of uncertainty and psychological stress. The widespread invasion has severely hampered civilians’ ability to seek safety and refuge, as well as Ukrainian civil society organizations’ ability to respond to the needs of those displaced or otherwise impacted by the conflict (https://www.csis.org/analysis/humanitarian-toll-russian-invasion).

The attack on Ukraine will have an immediate negative impact on global food security because wheat production and transportation are likely to be disrupted. This will exacerbate the strain on humanitarian services in other humanitarian situations that rely on large commodity shipments. To reduce the burden on food systems, humanitarian actors should prioritise cash-based programming in Ukraine and neighbouring countries, as well as in ongoing crises around the world. Cash-based programming will also allow displaced and vulnerable Ukrainians to set their own priorities, support existing economic and social structures, and possibly speed up their return if conditions in their home countries improve (https://www.csis.org/analysis/humanitarian-toll-russian-invasion). The impact on families and children is especially concerning. As a result of critical infrastructure damage, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian children are without safe drinking water, heating, or electricity. They are traumatised as a result of the carnage around them, and children have been among those injured by explosive weapons in high-impact areas. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is warning Ukrainian citizens to avoid densely populated areas for this reason, especially as the number of people injured in these types of attacks rises.

Ukraine’s crisis is rapidly worsening, resulting in widespread internal displacement and cross-border refugee migration. Aside from catastrophic injuries, the most serious threat to Ukraine is the collapse of health-care facilities. During a conflict, medical services are severely limited. Clinics and hospitals may be destroyed or rendered inoperable if supplies or personnel are not available.

Healthcare facilities are severely limited in combat zones. To accommodate an increase in injuries, smaller clinics and hospitals may need to expand. In areas where there is no active fighting, conditions are strained due to supply chain disruptions—hospitals and clinics may be unable to obtain antibiotics or surgical equipment, as well as all materials needed to carry out routine day-to-day operations. As a result, while those directly involved in the war will face increased hardship and challenges, the entire country will be affected. As refugees cross the border, they will put a strain on the health-care systems of neighbouring countries. As a result, Poland, Hungary, Moldova, and other border countries will face difficulties in caring for the massive influx of migrants. The rapid influx of displaced people in need of health care will strain health systems in such areas, and they may lack the doctors, equipment, supplies, or health care facilities needed to care for this growing population.

We’ve been working with the World Health Organization to assess the health risks that displaced Ukrainians will face. Ukrainian refugees face very different health-care issues than those fleeing Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, or Syria, for example. In Ukraine, the major health threats are not infectious diseases like malaria or dengue fever, but chronic diseases that may be exacerbated by the crisis, such as heart disease, cancer, renal disease, and diabetes (https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/ukraine-humanitarian-crisis/).

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has resulted in Europe’s worst humanitarian crisis since World War II. Thousands of lives have already been lost, and millions of livelihoods have been disrupted due to displacement, loss of homes, and loss of income.

The Russian-Ukrainian War and the Global Food Crisis

Ukraine produces enough food to feed 400 million people around the world, including half of the world’s sunflower oil supply, ten percent of the world’s grain supply, and thirteen percent of the world’s maize supply. At the moment, the Russian onslaught would prevent up to 30% of Ukraine’s agricultural fields from being planted or harvested this year. Additionally, supply lines from Ukraine have been disrupted due to the closure of Black Sea ports and the inability to transfer supplies across the Western border.

Farmers are attempting to plant as a result of the war, city blockades, and a scarcity of seeds and fertilisers. Farmers may face disastrous consequences if they do not begin planting crops as soon as possible. The markets have already reacted. Wheat prices have nearly doubled in the last year. This will result in a supply shortage, affecting food availability for people all over the world.

The United Nations has warned that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine might spark a worldwide food catastrophe that could persist for years. According to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, rising food costs have exacerbated food insecurity in poorer countries. Food price spikes caused by the Russia-Ukraine war are jeopardising global food security. According to the FAO, at least half of the wheat imported by 26 nations comes from Ukraine and Russia.  Nairobi (Nairobi) – Human Rights Watch claims that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has exacerbated the food security situation in several African nations. Many nations in East, West, Middle, and Southern Africa rely heavily on Russia and Ukraine for wheat, fertiliser, and vegetable oil imports, but the war affects global commodities markets and trade flows to Africa, raising already high food costs in the area. Even nations that buy less from the two countries are indirectly harmed by increasing global commodity prices. Governments and donors should increase economic and humanitarian aid as well as social protection initiatives in Africa to ensure cheap food access. Otherwise, millions of people on the African continent risk becoming hungry.

Russia and Ukraine are among the top five worldwide exporters of barley, sunflowers, and maize, respectively, and account for around one-third of global wheat exports. Nigeria, the world’s fourth largest importer of wheat, gets one-fourth of its wheat from Russia and Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine contribute more than 40% of Cameroon, Tanzania, Uganda, and Sudan’s wheat imports. Ukraine supplies half of the wheat that the UN World Food Programme (WFP) distributes across the world. As a result of the conflict, supplies are being stretched and prices are rising, notably for gasoline, raising the cost of getting food in and out of the region (https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/04/28/ukraine/russia-war-continues-africa-food-crisis-looms).

Human Rights Watch study on the food situation in Cameroon, Kenya, and Nigeria reveals that rising food prices worsened by the conflict have a devastating impact on people’s livelihoods and food security in many African nations, particularly in those lacking effective social protection. Food insecurity is defined by the United Nations as “a lack of consistent access to food that reduces nutritional quality, disrupts typical eating habits, and can have severe effects for nutrition, health, and well-being.” People in extreme food insecurity are more likely to run out of food and become hungry, sometimes going days without eating (https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/04/28/ukraine/russia-war-continues-africa-food-crisis-looms).

According to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, rising food costs have exacerbated food insecurity in poorer countries. He stated that if Ukraine’s exports are not returned to pre-war levels, certain nations may experience long-term famines. The fighting has shut off supply from Ukraine’s ports, which used to export massive volumes of cooking oil as well as commodities like maize and wheat. This has limited global supplies and driven up the cost of alternatives. According to the UN, global food costs are about 30% higher than this time last year. Mr. Guterres said in New York on Wednesday that the conflict, in combination with the effects of climate change and the pandemic, “threatens to tip tens of millions of people over the edge into food insecurity, followed by malnutrition, mass hunger, and famine” (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61503049). Food costs are soaring in African countries, notably in Nigeria, due to high levels of corruption and upcoming political primaries.

Russia and Ukraine produce 30% of the world’s wheat supply, and Ukraine was regarded as the world’s bread basket before to the conflict, shipping 4.5 million tonnes of agricultural produce every month through its ports. However, exports have dropped and prices have soared since Russia started its invasion in February 2022. They rose much higher when India prohibited wheat exports on Saturday. According to the UN, around 20 million tonnes of grain from the previous harvest are presently trapped in Ukraine, which, if freed, might relieve pressure on global markets (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61503049). Bread and other fundamental commodities are becoming more expensive in Nigeria, and many families and children are going to night hungry. Following the effects of COVID-19, the situation in Ukraine will have a direct impact on smallholder farmers globally, with many already feeling the strain. The majority of Nigeria’s farmers are smallholders, and the global food crisis produced by this conflict has had long-term consequences for Nigeria’s farmers since the majority of them are peasants.

The UN’s Influence on the Ukrainian Humanitarian Crisis

Despite Russia’s permanent presence on the Security Council, the international community has voiced strong opposition to Moscow’s war. On February 25, eleven of the fifteen Security Council members voted in favour of a US-led resolution sharply denouncing the conflict and calling on Russia to remove its soldiers from Ukraine immediately; Russia’s veto, however, prevented the motion from passing. (China, India, and the United Arab Emirates voted against it.) A week later, the entire UN General Assembly voted 141-5 in favour of an identical statement condemning the conflict, the first such session since 1997.

At the same time, many UN agencies are acting. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres named a crisis coordinator for Ukraine and provided $20 million in UN Central Emergency Response Fund assistance. Similarly, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is attempting to raise $1.7 billion for humanitarian assistance in Ukraine (https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/ukraine-humanitarian-crisis-refugees-aid).

The United Nations and its humanitarian partners issued coordinated emergency appeals totalling $1.7 billion on March 1 to offer emergency humanitarian aid to Ukrainians and refugees in neighbouring countries. As of April 25, this appeal had received 70% of its funding.

The Impact of Ukraine’s Civil War on Women and Children

The Ukraine war is wreaking havoc on the country’s 7.5 million youngsters. As the conflict continues, the humanitarian needs rise by the hour. Children are still being killed, injured, and terribly traumatised as a result of the violence that surrounds them. Families are afraid, shocked, and in dire need of safety.

The fierce conflict is inflicting enormous human misery. Civilians, particularly women and children, are bearing the brunt of the burden. As the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine worsens—at a scale and rate of displacement unmatched since World Conflict II—briefers and Security Council representatives urged the Russian Federation today to honour their international law duties, stop assaults on people, and terminate the war.

After more than two months of war in Ukraine, which has forced millions of refugees and displaced people to flee their homes, a new Rapid Gender Analysis by UN Women and CARE reveals that women and minorities are suffering greatly as a result of the crisis in terms of health, safety, and access to food. Women are rapidly becoming household heads and community leaders in Ukraine as males are drafted, but they remain generally excluded from formal decision-making procedures connected to humanitarian assistance, peacekeeping, and other areas that directly affect their lives.

“When it comes to humanitarian requirements of displaced persons, locals, and homes, women undertake the majority of the work: they drive, offer medication and food to hospitals and locals, and care for their disabled relatives and children,” stated one survey participant.

According to the research, the war’s impact is disproportionately felt by internally displaced individuals and marginalised groups including as female-headed families, Roma people, LGBTQIA+ people, and persons with disabilities. Many responders from Roma groups described serious prejudice, both in their everyday lives and in obtaining humanitarian relief.

The data also suggests that gender roles in Ukraine are shifting. While many males have been unemployed and have mostly joined the military services, women have reported taking on new duties and working several jobs to compensate for lost family income. Women are also playing an important part in local community humanitarian response. Despite increasingly taking on leadership positions in their families and communities, they are mainly excluded from official political and administrative decision-making processes.

With schools closed, a strong demand for volunteer labour, and the absence of males, women’s unpaid care load has considerably grown. The economic crisis is already revealing a retreat on gender equality. The war is increasing overall unemployment and is expected to force women into unsafe informal sectors of the economy, increasing poverty.

Women and girls also mentioned a lack of access to health care services, particularly for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and pregnant, expecting, and new moms, as well as increased worries of GBV and a shortage of food, particularly in war zones. Many respondents also mentioned the difficulties and restrictions they experience in obtaining humanitarian help and services, and over half of both men and women said the war had a significant impact on their mental health.

A woman with a child evacuates from a residential building damaged by shelling, as Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues [State Emergency Service via Reuters]

According to Pramila Patten, UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, the war has caused huge displacement, driving many Ukrainians to evacuate their homes, even to neighbouring nations. It also increases the likelihood of violence against women and girls. On Monday, Ms. Patten published a statement emphasising the necessity of preserving human rights and showing prudence.

“It is vital that the humanitarian response in Ukraine takes into account and meets the diverse needs of women and girls, men and boys, and those who have been left behind,” says UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous.

“This timely study demonstrates their demands and their urgency.” Women have played critical roles in humanitarian assistance in their communities. They must also be included in the planning and decision-making processes to ensure that their individual needs, particularly those relating to health, safety, and access to livelihoods, are satisfied.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the world has seen images of women giving birth in subterranean metro stations and new-borns being rushed to makeshift bomb shelters as health facilities become inaccessible or too damaged to operate. In Ukraine, an estimated 80,000 women will give birth in the next three months, with many of them without access to vital maternal health care. Childbirth may be a life-threatening rather than a life-changing experience for some. Gender-based violence is a severe problem for millions of other women and girls, including those who have lived in the shadow of conflict in eastern Ukraine for the last eight years. According to a UNFPA research published in 2019, 67 percent of women in the nation had encountered some type of abuse since the age of 15, with one in three having experienced physical or sexual assault. Because of the crisis and relocation, they are more vulnerable to sexual and physical assault and abuse (https://www.unfpa.org/ukraine-war).

By May 19, over 6 million refugees had fled Ukraine, with over 8 million people internally displaced. Such large-scale displacements may have long-term effects for future generations. Children escaping the conflict in Ukraine face an increased risk of human trafficking and exploitation. Meanwhile, strikes utilising explosive weapons in densely populated metropolitan areas continue to cause civilian fatalities, including children, as well as significant damage to critical infrastructure and services. As a result, children’s homes, schools, hospitals, water systems, power plants, and shelters for civilians have been damaged or destroyed (https://www.unicef.org/emergencies/war-ukraine-poses-immediate-threat-to-children_).

UNICEF collaborates with partners to reach children and families in need of health care, education, protection, water, and sanitation, as well as other life-saving services and supplies. Since the start of the military offensive in Ukraine, over 1.5 million people have fled to neighbouring countries, the vast majority of them are women and children. More than 240,000 refugees have found safety in the Republic of Moldova, and the number is growing by the day.

Together with IOM and local partners, UN Women is conducting a gender evaluation of humanitarian needs in Moldova. The goal is to guarantee that gender statistics and evidence, as well as women’s perspectives, are considered and included in the humanitarian response in order to best assist women and girls.

During a war, violence against women and girls is a common and chronic violation of human rights. Gender-based violence (GBV) is a severe issue for millions of women and girls, including those who have lived in the shadow of conflict in eastern Ukraine. According to a 2019 UNFPA survey, 75% of women in the nation had encountered some type of abuse since the age of 15, with one in every three having experienced physical or sexual assault. 14 As history has repeatedly demonstrated, conflicts expose women and girls to war crimes such as arbitrary executions, rapes, and trafficking. Rural women and girls who have experienced GBV in Ukraine confront extra barriers to receiving specialised treatment and protection.

Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees

The beginning of the war in Ukraine (24 February) triggered massive and rapid displacement within and outside the country, adding to the already existing 854,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) within Ukraine. While the centralized IDP registration system (administered by the Ministry of Social Policy) in place since 2014 is not yet able to capture all new IDPs in the country, IOM, REACH, UNHCR, OCHA, and the Protection Cluster agreed to work together to ensure the humanitarian community receives credible and harmonized population figures for IDPs in Ukraine.

Since 9 March, IOM rolled out a survey of the general population in Ukraine to gather insights into internal displacement and mobility flows. The results of the survey were presented to the Protection Cluster, UNHCR, REACH and OCHA, and after a collective review of the methodology and findings, the group agreed that the figures provided by IOM are a good representation of the scale of internal displacement in Ukraine. On 16 March, the results of the first round of IOM’s survey indicated that 6.48 million persons were internally displaced persons in Ukraine.

According to OCHA, around 12 million people in Ukraine require humanitarian aid (OCHA, 2022). As affected populations seek refuge in neighbouring countries, the global number of refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) grow, putting a strain on Poland (which has received 2.3 million Ukrainian refugees) and poorer European states like Romania (which has received over 600,000 refugees) and Moldova (more than 380,000). (Source: UNHCR) According to UNHCR, about 90% of the 3.7 million refugees fleeing Ukraine are women and children (United Nations, 2022), whereas males aged 18–60 are compelled to stay and fight for their country under martial rule (United Nations, 2022 & CARE, 2022).

Prior to the current crisis, around 1.5 million people were displaced within Ukraine as a result of the last conflict, with roughly 60% of them being women and girls. Another 6.5 million people are expected to be internally displaced at the present (IOM, data). More over 20% of moved households included at least one handicapped member (OCHA, 2022). Internal displacement and travel restrictions make it difficult for individuals to acquire food, water, crucial services, and assistance, particularly in rural and isolated areas. GBV is an urgent reality for IDP women and girls living in a dangerous country amidst displacement and an increasing military presence. Children, women, females, minority groups, people with impairments, and the elderly are among the most vulnerable IDPs, according to recent monitoring reports. People with disabilities, particularly children, suffer more obstacles in seeking sanctuary and are at danger of abandonment and family separation.

The second Ukraine Internal Displacement Report from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) says that more than 7.1 million people have been moved within Ukraine since the invasion. As of 5 April, in consultation with authorities, REACH reported that 1.6 million IDPs were already registered by authorities in 13 Oblast administrations of Ukraine. The humanitarian community remains committed to supporting the registration efforts of the government to allow official IDP figures to be duly updated. In this regard, Protection Cluster partners will provide technical assistance, equipment, and capacity building to local authorities involved in IDP registration, as well as information dissemination and individual counselling to unregistered IDPs (Geneva, 2022).

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