UNHCR Warns of Looming Winter Crisis for Displaced Ukrainians, Ramps Up Aid
GENEVA – As winter approaches, almost 10 million Ukrainians remain forcibly displaced from their homes, facing severe challenges, the UNHCR announced today. This includes 3.8 million people internally displaced within Ukraine, with 220,000 having evacuated frontline areas in the past year alone, and 5.6 million seeking refuge abroad.
The UN refugee agency emphasized that the majority of newly displaced individuals are opting to stay within Ukraine, as close as possible to their home regions. However, the impending cold weather adds a critical layer of risk, making it crucial to bolster support for Ukraine's energy infrastructure and individual households.
UNHCR is actively collaborating with the Ukrainian government on a winter response plan. A key component of this plan is cash assistance designed to help vulnerable families in frontline areas purchase essential heating materials like firewood, coal, and briquettes. This aid aims to ensure homes can remain warm during the harsh winter, especially in regions where energy systems have been severely damaged.
This initiative is deemed "essential" to protect displaced populations and those living in war-affected zones from the severe impacts of winter conditions.
