Attachments
Executive summary
The overarching goal of the Emergency and Early Recovery Response Plan (EERRP) 2026–2028 of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is to protect, restore and strengthen the agricultural livelihoods of war-affected rural populations in Ukraine through an integrated approach that combines data collection and analysis, coordination, and emergency and early recovery agricultural interventions.
Since the escalation of the war in 2022, FAO has rapidly scaled up efforts to support agricultural production and food systems for vulnerable rural households and small-scale farmers, particularly in frontline regions. As the war enters its fifth year, supporting agrifood systems and fostering early recovery remains a critical challenge, especially in frontline oblasts where agriculture-dependent communities face reduced local production, fluctuating food prices, limited labour force and growing reliance on external aid.
According to FAO’s Food Security and Livelihood Assessment finalized in July 2025 across Ukraine’s frontline oblasts, rural livelihoods are under severe threat.1 Financial hardship has forced 12 percent of households to cut spending on essential inputs, resulting in production declines of 35 percent for livestock and 28 percent for crops.1 About 86 percent of households now produce only for their own consumption, with up to 22.3 percent of households classified as food insecure.1 Fragile market access compounds these challenges, as only 73 percent of supermarkets and 60 percent of food shops remain operational within 30 km of the frontline.1 Environmental pressures, water scarcity and land contamination further limit farmers’ ability to restore and increase production sustainably
Despite these challenges, rural households and small-scale farmers are ready to re-engage in food production and processing activities to meet basic needs, strengthen market linkages, increase incomes and diversify livelihoods.1 Multiyear funding mechanisms provide opportunities for rural communities to adopt climate-smart practices and sustainable natural resource management.
The EERRP adopts an integrated, dual-track strategy designed to provide timely and cost-efficient emergency agricultural and early recovery assistance, while simultaneously promoting the sustainable management of forests and other natural resources. Across the full three-year period, the plan will enhance coordination and data systems to guide effective response strategy and recovery efforts, while supporting rural households and small-scale farmers, particularly women and youth, to transition from subsistence to sustainable and market-integrated production. This approach ensures that immediate needs are addressed to safeguard livelihoods and food security, while also laying the foundation for longer‑term environmental sustainability and resilience. This approach will also strengthen rural communities’ capacity to adapt their production systems to climate variability through the gradual adoption of climate‑smart practices.
The EERRP aims to:
• reduce protection risks;
• support displaced populations;
• promote inclusive social and economic recovery; and
• contribute to national food security and rural development, in alignment with Ukraine’s recovery and European Union integration priorities and standards, as well as other nationally defined multisectoral priorities.