Liudmyla, 70, stands in her potato cellar, where she sheltered for a month during intense fighting.
© UNHCR/Diana Zeyneb Alhindawi

Ukraine Crisis Appeal

The war in Ukraine has created a massive humanitarian emergency. Donate now to send aid to people fleeing for their lives.

“When the shooting started, I ran to the cellar. I spent a month in that cellar. It was cold, but I had to endure it.”

- Liudmyla, 70, Kyiv oblast

It's been two years since Russia invaded Ukraine and created the fastest-growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War II.

More than six million Ukrainians have been forced to flee the country. Another three million are displaced inside Ukraine. 

Fierce attacks continue, forcing people to flee for their lives. Homes, hospitals and schools have been destroyed. Families are sheltering in badly damaged homes or accommodation centres, desperate for the fighting to end.

Now they face yet another emergency: winter. 

In Ukraine, temperatures fall well below zero and winter storms can be deadly. Attacks on energy infrastructure have left vulnerable communities without power and heating when they are most needed.

Please donate now to send life-saving aid to the people of Ukraine.

“It has become almost impossible to live.”

Your donation can provide safe shelter, cash assistance and psychological support for displaced Ukrainians like Tamara, an 89-year-old grandmother staying at a shelter in Dnipro.

Tamara, an 89-year-old grandmother, is comforted by a UNHCR staff member.
© UNHCR/Alina Kovalenko

For those able to escape across the border, the emergency isn't over. 

Refugees have been forced to leave everything behind to reach safety in countries such as Poland and Moldova. 

They need a safe place to stay, cash to buy basic items such as food and clothing, and access to counselling and legal aid.

The majority of refugees fleeing Ukraine are women and children. Many have special needs and require additional support. Together with partners, UNHCR has established Blue Dot protection hubs across the region to support the most vulnerable, such as unaccompanied children, young mothers and older people. 

Accommodation

Your gift can help us repair damaged homes and upgrade shelters to provide safe, warm places for people fleeing the war.

Basic Needs

Your gift can provide cash assistance to help refugees cover their basic needs, including shelter, food and medicine. 

Social Services

Your gift can help displaced people access social services and psychological support such as counselling.

“This assistance is a lifeline for me.”

Hanna, 38, fled Kyiv with her two children and found safety in Warsaw, Poland, where UNHCR and partners have helped her with clothing, baby food and other essentials.

Ukrainian refugee Hanna, 38, and her baby at an aid distribution point run by UNHCR partner Mother's House Foundation in Warsaw, Poland.
© UNHCR/Anna Liminowicz

About Ukraine Emergency

How can I help Ukrainian refugees?

You can support refugees fleeing Ukraine and people internally displaced within the country by making a donation or fundraising for us.

If you are looking for information on how to assist family members or friends in Ukraine, see our Help page here.

What difference will my donation make?

Your donation can support refugees fleeing Ukraine and people displaced within the country. Your support can help provide protection, cash assistance and core relief items such as shelter materials, blankets and sleeping mats.

How is UNHCR helping refugees from Ukraine?

UNHCR continues to provide refugees from Ukraine with protection, cash assistance, shelter, and core relief items such as solar lamps, blankets and water jerry-cans.

Some of the ways UNHCR is helping people forced to flee:

  • Providing legal counselling and assistance with obtaining official documents such as passports and birth certificates
  • Providing cash assistance so the most vulnerable families can buy food, clothes and other essentials
  • Distributing core relief items such as shelter repair materials, blankets, water jerry-cans and kitchen sets
  • Conducting psychological first aid and psychosocial support activities

Where can refugees from Ukraine can get information and request assistance?

If you are seeking information or support inside Ukraine, please visit the UNHCR Ukraine HELP Website.

If you are seeking information or support, visit the HELP Page for the country you have fled to:

Read more on protection enquiries and related matters.

Is UNHCR able to operate in Ukraine now? What support is being provided?

UNHCR remains present in Ukraine and neighbouring countries, responding to the humanitarian needs of refugees and internally displaced persons. Our teams are providing assistance including protection, emergency shelter, home repairs, legal advice and cash.

UNHCR remains committed to monitoring the situation in Ukraine and at the borders to ensure the protection of people exiting and entering. There has been a recent increase in entry to Ukraine linked to the return of refugees for the start of the school year. UNHCR provides protection counselling, legal assistance, social accompaniment and transportation services for people crossing the borders, as well as assistance in obtaining civil documentation to facilitate travel and access to social benefits in host countries.

Is UN/UNHCR evacuating its staff from Ukraine?

Staff safety remains our utmost priority. UNHCR staff are present across Ukraine, delivering assistance wherever access and security allow. Our teams have expanded their operations to hard-to-reach areas in east and south Ukraine, including recently taken areas where the needs remain acute.

What are your capacities in the region? How many staff do you have there?

UNHCR has a longstanding presence in the region, working with national authorities on refugee-related matters. We have offices in Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia and the Czech Republic. UNHCR also established a country office in Moldova in 2022.

UNHCR has scaled up its presence significantly to stay and deliver for those in need. As of February 2023, we have offer 320 staff in Ukraine and 404 staff in neighbouring countries.

What are you doing in neighbouring countries? What is your role?

UNHCR is shifting from emergency response to supporting governments in the inclusion of refugees. We work with host communities to expand access to essential services such as education, employment, housing, social welfare and medical assistance.

Since the majority of refugees fleeing Ukraine are women and children, UNHCR is providing child protection activities and working to prevent gender-based violence, sexual exploitation and trafficking.

Our fundraising commitment

The majority of funds raised by Australia for UNHCR are directed to UNHCR’s emergency operations, providing the ready funds and resources to respond quickly and effectively in situations of crisis and disaster.

75%
Humanitarian programs
14%
Admin
11%
Fundraising