War in Ukraine

Millions of people affected inside Ukraine and beyond

The war in Ukraine has taken thousands of lives, caused untold destruction, displaced millions and resulted in unacceptable violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. The situation for many in Ukraine remains desperate, amid “relentless” shelling of civilian targets and infrastructure, the UN’s Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, said recently.

Speaking at the General Assembly 11th Emergency Special Session, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said: “The one-year mark of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine stands as a grim milestone — for the people of Ukraine and for the international community.  That invasion is an affront to our collective conscience.  It is a violation of the United Nations Charter and international law.  It is having dramatic humanitarian and human rights consequences.  And the impact is being felt far beyond Ukraine.”

The Ukraine refugee crisis is the largest displacement crisis in the world. Nearly 8 million people have fled to neighbouring countries and 5.4 million people have become internally displaced.

Amid reports that violence is escalating in the east, latest UN estimates indicated that more than 7,000 civilians have been killed in Ukraine in the last year, with 12,000 injured, but the actual toll is certainly higher. Attacks on civilians and infrastructure must stop. 

The Vienna-based independent international Commission of Inquiry, appointed by the Human Rights Council, has found that war crimes and violations of human rights and international humanitarian law have been committed in Ukraine.

The war goes far beyond Ukraine. It has inflamed a food, energy and finance crisis which is affecting some of the world’s most vulnerable people, countries and economies. There is no solution to the global food crisis without ensuring full global access to Ukraine’s food products and Russian food and fertilizers. Under the Black Sea Grain Initiative, more than 21.3 million tonnes of corn, wheat, oil and other food items have been shipped across the Black Sea to markets worldwide.

Are you a refugee from Ukraine?

UNHCR can help. 

Visit the page for the country you are in.

Hungary - Poland - Romania - Slovakia

In any other country

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has information and assistance for people from Ukraine in Slovakia

How can you help?

More than three million people (by 16 March 2022) have fled Ukraine, for the latest information on refugees numbers check out the UN Refugee Agency’s data portal

In Ukraine intensifying hostilities are threatening the lives and wellbeing of tens of thousands of families.

Help us provide them with the means to survive.

The United Nations and humanitarian partners are committed to staying and delivering assistance and protection to the people of Ukraine.

You can help by making a donation.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) (in German)

International Organization for Migration (IOM) - Hundreds of thousands have fled. Many more face displacement. It's still winter. Help us help them

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The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine was established by the UN Human Rights Council to investigate violations and abuses of human rights, violations of international humanitarian law, and other crimes that have been committed in the context of the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

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    The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine
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