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© Stefanie Glinski/Welthungerhilfe

Millions Fleeing From War In Ukraine

War Knows Only Losers

Flight and suffering due to the war in Ukraine

Since February 2022, Russia has been waging war against Ukraine, bringing immeasurable suffering to the country. So far, the conflict has killed over 9,000 civilians; the number of unreported cases is probably much higher. Over six million people, primarily women and children, have fled the country, almost all to other European countries. About five million more have fled within Ukraine.

In the meantime, some people have returned to their places of origin and are trying to rebuild their lives under difficult conditions. Reconstruction has begun in some areas that are no longer part of the combat zone. More than 17 million people are dependent on humanitarian aid and reconstruction support.

© Stefanie Glinski / Welthungerhilfe

The war is a humanitarian disaster

The attack on Ukraine directly threatens the lives of millions of people. They are affected by a humanitarian catastrophe with endless suffering. Many have fled to safe areas or neighboring countries. Those who fled often could only take the bare necessities with them. After they arrived in neighboring countries such as Poland, Slovakia, Romania or the Republic of Moldova, many people were left with nothing. At home, the situation is often more dramatic. Where there is no longer fighting, the economy is often at rock bottom - many people have lost their sources of income and cannot pay rent and living expenses.

A single mum displaced in her own country

About five million people in Ukraine have been displaced in their own country. Like Daryna* and her children. The single mother comes from Kherson in southern Ukraine. Her youngest son was seriously injured in an explosion. They were able to flee and are currently finding shelter in western Ukraine. Together with its partner organization Concern Worldwide, Welthungerhilfe (WHH) is supporting internally displaced people by providing food, hygiene items, blankets and pillows.

*(name has been changed)

© Concern Worldwide

How we support the people in the affected region

We can provide sustainable assistance through a broad network of European aid organizations.

As part of Alliance2015, we have been working closely with the aid organizations People in Need (PIN) and the Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED) for many years. Together with our partners, we are active in the crisis region: We work with PIN in Ukraine to support people with, among other things, by handing out cash, equipping collective shelters with sanitary facilities, or offering support for traumatized children and adults through mobile psychosocial services.

Through our long-standing alliance partners, we ensure that your donation arrives most quickly where it is urgently needed.

Our support in the crisis region

  • In group shelters in western and eastern Ukraine, we're equipping sanitary facilities, including washing machines and dryers.
  • We provide refugees and communities hosting families cash for daily needs. 
  • Mobile psychosocial services provide support for traumatized children and adults.
  • We assist civil society organizations and local support groups.
  • We enable families to prepare for winter by providing money for home repairs, heating materials and warm clothing. 
  • As an initial reconstruction measure, we provide manual and technical training for people who have lost their jobs – adapted to local needs and individual qualifications.
  • We support small and medium-sized enterprises with grants for reconstruction or relocation to revive the local economy.

© Alyona Budagovska/People in Need

Please support the people affected by the war and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine!

How is WHH helping in Ukraine?

We work closely with our Alliance2015 partners, such as People In Need, ACTED and Concern Worldwide, some of whom have been active in Ukraine and neighboring countries for a long time. Among other things, we support refugees and communities hosting families with cash for daily needs. Traumatized children and adults receive support from mobile psychosocial services. We also help with reconstruction through grants to small and medium-sized enterprises that revitalize local economies. In addition to emergency relief measures, we identify what crisis support the region needs in the medium and long term. More information about Ukraine.

Where do donations go?

Your donations will go directly to the emergency relief efforts of WHH and its partner organizations in Ukraine to support people in need on the ground.

Can I donate goods through WHH to people in Ukraine or to refugees?

WHH cannot accept donations of goods. We collect monetary donations, which we use together with our Alliance2015 partners to support the people in need in Ukraine as well as refugees. However, we very much appreciate your offers and kindly ask you to donate your goods to local organizations that specialize in this field.

Does WHH pass on 100% of the donations to its partners?

Your donation will be used without deduction of administrative fees by WHH within the scope of the cooperation with People In Need (PIN) and ACTED for people affected by the war in Ukraine or for people who have fled from the war to neighboring countries of Ukraine. We support our partners with personnel, know-how and concrete relief measures.