Attachments
Foreword by the Resident Coordinator
In the third year of the full-scale Russia’s invasion, the scourge of war is still bringing untold suffering and sorrow to the people of Ukraine. The invasion, launched in violation of the UN Charter and international law, has left thousands of civilians killed and injured, caused massive destruction of infrastructure, including hundreds of thousands of homes, hospitals and schools, and deeply traumatized people regardless of proximity to the front line. The war has shattered the Ukrainian economy; rolling back development gains made over the past years and plunging nearly 25 per cent of people into poverty.
The people of Ukraine are taking upon themselves the monumental task to recover from the devastation caused by the invasion. With remarkable and inspiring determination, and no matter if they are close to the front line or in communities where they have found safety and security,
Ukrainians are supporting one another to ensure their communities are functioning, small shops are running, schools are repaired and rebuilt with shelters so children can attend in-person, hospitals and clinics reconstructed, roads and bridges repaired and agricultural land and critical and social infrastructure demined.
The UN, the humanitarian community and our development partners continue to work non-stop to ensure people enduring the horrors of the war receive the support they need to address their most immediate needs and also create the conditions for their recovery. In 2023, more than 11 million people received life-saving humanitarian assistance. This achievement was made possible thanks to the efforts of over 500 organizations – nearly 70 per cent of them Ukrainian NGOs - our close collaboration with the authorities, and the timely support of our donors.
We have also scaled up our efforts to support recovery, with more and more activities that provide people with durable solutions and ensure they can get back on their feet. The UN made significant contributions to Ukraine’s journey towards a prosperous future: supporting strong data collection and analysis to inform recovery priorities – including the third Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) and the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) of the Kakhovka Dam’s destruction; creating platforms to engage communities in the decision-making and forums to bring together Government, donors and civil society; supporting small businesses; repairing vital infrastructure; and contributing to demining efforts and beyond.
The UN –our 3,000 employees and 24 agencies – is determined to continue supporting the Government’s recovery priorities with investments in Ukraine’s communities, human capital and national systems, and ensure recovery takes into consideration the specific needs of women, people with disabilities and marginalized groups.
Despite the progress, these efforts are not enough to stop the suffering and devastating consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The world – and the international community – cannot accept war as the new reality. Living under constant bombardment, constant fear, is not normal.
For this reason, war as a state of existence for people in Ukraine, must not be normalized. Every effort must continue towards a just peace in line with the UN Charter.
Denise Brown Resident Coordinator United Nations in Ukraine