Ukraine: Humanitarian Response and Funding Snapshot (January - August 2024) [EN/UK]

SITUATION UPDATE

In August, hostilities in front-line areas and large-scale attacks led to multiple civilian casualties, including children, while homes were destroyed and civilian infrastructure was damaged across the country, necessitating an adjustment of the humanitarian response to meet arising needs. The destruction and displacement left many without shelter, livelihoods and access to basic services, including health care, while children require alternative learning opportunities and protection. The wave of attacks on Ukraine's critical civilian infrastructure since March 2024 temporarily deprived people of essential services and heightened anticipated winter-related humanitarian needs outlined in the 2024-2025 Winter Response Plan.

Humanitarian actors quickly responded to support people affected by intensified hostilities, especially from Donetska, Kharkivska and Sumska oblasts, both in transit and in receiving areas in coordination with first responders and local authorities.

As of the end of August, humanitarian partners provided at least one type of assistance to 6.7 million people targeted under the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2024 (HNRP). During August alone, over 580 humanitarian organizations, including more than 380 national NGOs, delivered aid to nearly 400,000 people. About 5.4 million people received water, sanitation and hygiene support, primarily through system maintenance, repairs and emergency water supply. Food and farming supplies were distributed to nearly 2.9 million people, focusing on front-line communities. Health-care assistance reached nearly 1.7 million people. In preparation for winter, over 1.2 million people received solid fuel and materials to repair damaged homes, as well as other non-food items. Humanitarians also provided protection services, including general protection, child protection services, gender-based violence prevention, survivor assistance and mine action through explosive ordnance risk education. Over 600,000 people received multi-purpose cash assistance to meet emergency basic needs, and nearly 530,000 people received support to continue education. Living conditions for internally displaced people in selected collective sites were improved.

To reach front-line areas where the security situation is posing access challenges, humanitarian partners delivered 28 inter-agency convoys with assistance for nearly 45,000 people in Donetska, Kharkivska, Khersonska and Zaporizka oblasts, complementing regular programming activities.

The humanitarian response remained underfunded — only 42 per cent of the US$3.1 billion received as of the end of August — limiting the humanitarian community's capacity to address critical needs as new needs arise and winter approaches. Unless timely and predictable funding is secured, humanitarian organizations will struggle to provide essential support and alleviate the hardships faced by those most affected by the war, especially during the winter months ahead.