According to the United Nations, more than 24 million Ukrainians are at risk of severe hardship due to the war. Millions have been forced to leave their homes, while hundreds of thousands have no access to water, food or electricity. The war has thus triggered a humanitarian crisis on a scale unseen in Europe for many decades.

Direct help for the people on the ground

The assistance is benefiting both the people in Ukraine and the refugees in neighbouring states. Specifically, the aim is to supply them with food, medicine, drinking water and electricity, but also to provide care for the sick and war wounded, secure emergency shelters, special assistance for children and psychological support.

The assistance is being coordinated by the United Nations. In these efforts, a crucial role is played by partner organisations, including the World Food Programme, the International Organization for Migration, UNHCR, UNICEF and the World Health Organization, but also many smaller NGOs and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund for Ukraine. The International Committee of the Red Cross, which is doing vital work to negotiate humanitarian corridors, also plays a major part.

World’s second-largest humanitarian donor

The German Government is providing the financial assistance for Ukraine in addition to its commitments in other crises. Because the situation in countries such as Yemen, Syria or Afghanistan is also worsening owing to the recent surge in wheat and food prices caused in no small part by the war in Ukraine. The Federal Foreign Office will therefore this year maintain its high level of commitment in these areas, too, as the world’s second-largest humanitarian donor.

Solidarity and support beyond emergency assistance

In addition to the German contributions to Ukraine’s defence capabilities, the Federal Foreign Office is providing Ukraine and neighbouring countries with protective equipment and other materials to the tune of more than 31.5 million euro.

Alongside providing humanitarian assistance, the Federal Foreign Office is also supporting Ukraine’s civil society. After the outbreak of the war, the Federal Foreign Office approved a sum of 600,000 euro for the Women Peace and Humanitarian Fund to support activists and NGOs from Ukraine. With Germany’s support, it was possible, for example, for the European Endowment for Democracy to open the “Centre for Ukrainian Activists” in Przemyśl, Poland. The Federal Foreign Office is also funding measures to document human rights violations and war crimes in Ukraine.