Top officials from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) are in Ukraine this week, where they will unveil new plans to help people affected by the war in Ukraine.
Since the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian military on 24 February 2022, the country has been facing a serious humanitarian crisis.
More than 12.7 million people in Ukraine are in need of assistance, and more than 6.8 million refugees seeking refuge in many countries around the world are also in need of assistance.
UN Humanitarian Under-Secretary-General Tom Fletcher visited Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine on Tuesday.
Support on the front line
He reviewed the situation in Shevchenko, a village about 30 kilometers from the battle front, and Kupiensk, another town.
UN agencies in these areas, in collaboration with local partner agencies, are providing transport services to people living on the front lines to ensure they have access to basic services.
Many are old and have limited walking ability.
UNHCR High Commissioner Filippo Grandi, with Under-Secretary-General Tom Fletcher, speaks to reporters in the Kharkiv region.
Pledge of support
He stressed that the UN is fully committed to meeting the huge humanitarian aid needs resulting from the war in Ukraine and maintaining its presence.
Filippo Grandi said in a message on social media that he has assured the governor of Kharkiv that the United Nations will continue to provide its assistance to local authorities, so that they can organize the evacuation of their citizens during the winter season.
This is the third winter since the Russian military invaded Ukraine, and the war has wreaked havoc on the front lines. Attacks targeting energy installations are causing massive disruptions in fuel and electricity supply.
support plan
Top UN officials will meet with the government in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev on Thursday to unveil a humanitarian and refugee assistance plan for 2025.
Through this scheme, it aims to continue the delivery of essential aid to those affected by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.