UKRAINE EMERGENCY - Emergency Assistance to Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Ukraine and Neighbouring Countries

Project location: Ukraine
Project start date: March 2022 - Project end date: This project covers various years
Project number: 2022-008
Beneficiary: United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees

In the face of the rapid deterioration of the security situation in Ukraine in February 2022, UNHCR declared Ukraine a Level 3 emergency – the highest level we have – and issued on 1 March together with other humanitarian partners a Flash Appeal to respond to the needs of up to 6.7 million internally displaced people (IDPs) until May.

As the situation evolved, on top of this UNHCR issued a supplementary appeal extending its emergency response until the end of August 2022, planning to assist in total 2.1 million IDPs and 2.4 million refugees fleeing from Ukraine to its neighbouring countries. Within 10 days of the start of the military offensive, more than 1.5 million refugees had arrived in Hungary, the Republic of Moldova, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. Some continued onward to other European countries and beyond. UNHCR estimates that over 4 million refugees may flee Ukraine to seek safety in the six months from the military offensive. Due to the circumstances of the crisis, the majority of refugees are women and children.

In Ukraine, UNHCR emergency response plan foresees the following activities: 
- Support the authorities registering IDPs to quickly identify individuals with specific needs – including unaccompanied children, elderly persons and individuals with disabilities or other specific needs – and enable the delivery of essential service;
- Support the establishment of reception and transit centres where the initial needs of displaced people can be assessed and addressed. For the most vulnerable families, UNHCR will provide unrestricted cash assistance to meet urgent protection needs;
- Community groups run by internally displaced people and conflict-affected populations will be mobilized to contribute to protection monitoring, reception and the dissemination of information on assistance and services available, including legal assistance, psychosocial support and social accompaniment;
- Provide urgent humanitarian assistance, including emergency shelter repair kits to help protect destroyed homes from the elements. Emergency kits of core relief items have already been prepositioned and will be distributed. Each contains thermal blankets and sleeping mats, a plastic tarpaulin, jerrycans, buckets, kitchen sets and solar lamps;
- Provide cash for emergency shelter assistance.

In the neighbouring coutries, UNHCR and 11 partners have developed a Regional Refugee Response Plan to coordinate the emergency response for refugee families who have fled Ukraine. The Regional Refugee Response Plan will be updated as necessary to take into account the rapidly evolving situation and consider the strengthened capacities of partners and local actors. Where needed, UNHCR will: 
- Work to expand the authorities’ capacity to prevent or respond to gender-based violence and identify persons with specific needs;
- Reinforce national child protection systems and strengthen access to legal aid, mental health and psychosocial support for those suffering from trauma due to the displacement and exposure to violence; 
- Carry out regular protection monitoring activities and strengthen reception capacity and registration systems for the new arrival;
- Provide emergency shelter and work with the authorities to establish temporary reception and/or transit facilities.

The Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation has awarded a grant to UNHCR to help achieve the following results:

- 1.1 million people will receive protection assistance and information;
- 847,000 essential items including 100,000 mattresses will be distributed;
- 360,000 people will recieve Multi-purpose Cash Assistance;
- 200 reception & collective centre will be equipped with essential items.

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