According to the Global Humanitarian Overview 2024 report, nearly 15 million people will need humanitarian assistance due to the war in Ukraine. This represents over 40% of the entire population of the country. This conflict is one of the main factors influencing humanitarian needs in the region, and its effects are felt both within the country and among neighboring nations.
The Global Humanitarian Overview is a periodic UN report that indicates the level of humanitarian need. This year’s publication highlights the intensification of crises such as famine, disease, gender-based violence, and displacements worldwide. The analysis, based on 2023 data, shows how the humanitarian system is improving its response to these crises. The report provides a comprehensive and evidence-based assessment of global humanitarian needs, focusing on support for the most vulnerable. This extensive publication covers crises around the world. Below, we summarize a section on the current situation in Ukraine.
The Situation in Ukraine According to the Global Humanitarian Overview
The needs of the Ukrainian population are most acute in the east and north of the country, particularly affected by military operations. Over 3.3 million people in need live in communities along the sensitive front line. Also, in the territories under temporary Russian control, millions of people struggle for adequate access to water, food, healthcare, housing, protection, and other essential services and supplies.
Serious incidents, including the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in June 2023 and strikes on other key infrastructure elements, have exacerbated humanitarian needs in regions where the situation was already critical. Throughout the year, homes, schools, water systems, and hospitals have been destroyed. Local farmers struggle with problems in cultivating their lands due to severe contamination from explosive remnants, which is particularly concerning in the fertile areas of the Kharkiv, Kherson, and Mykolaiv regions.
Assistance is also needed for the 4 million internally displaced persons within Ukraine. This particularly concerns about 111,500 people living in collective centers. The prolonged displacement has led to a reduction in many individuals’ ability to cope with the loss of jobs or income. Thousands of these people have had to flee again, mainly from areas close to the Sumy and Kharkiv regions.
Serious violations against civilians have exposed millions of people to trauma and mental health problems, affecting the well-being and education of children. The war has further deepened the existing inequalities and challenges faced by women and marginalized groups, increasing the risk of gender-based violence.
It is forecasted that the humanitarian situation will further deteriorate in 2024. If the war efforts continue and attacks on energy infrastructure and other key infrastructures intensify during the ongoing winter, we cannot count on an improvement in the situation.
Priorities for 2024
In 2023, the humanitarian community conducted intensive operations in Ukraine. Nearly 11 million people received aid from over 500 humanitarian organizations. These organizations made efforts to reach the most vulnerable, increasing assistance to communities located on the front lines.
In 2024, the response will continue to focus on people with the most pressing problems throughout the country, prioritizing those in communities on the front lines and in neighboring areas. Displaced and returning individuals, especially from vulnerable groups, will also be given priority.
In total, about 8.5 million people will be covered by support. The aim will be to provide essential and emergency multi-sectoral life-saving assistance to ensure the safety and dignity of those bearing the consequences of war. Specific protective actions will complement interventions in health, shelter, food, water, hygiene, sanitation, and education. Psychological and psychosocial support, tailored to gender and age, will also be provided. Special importance is attached to protection against sexual exploitation and abuse.
Assistance for people living in areas currently under the temporary military control of the Russian Federation will depend on improved access for humanitarian organizations, which has been limited since the escalation of the war. The humanitarian community continues its efforts to improve access to these areas.
Read the Entire Report
The Global Humanitarian Overview for 2024, developed by OCHA, focuses on coordinating a global response to crisis situations in order to save lives and protect people in humanitarian crises. The report promotes effective and essential humanitarian action from all entities.
According to the 2024 document, nearly 300 million people worldwide will need humanitarian assistance and protection due to conflicts, climate situations, and other factors. You can read the entire report at this link.