I’m writing to thank you for supporting UNHCR’s work with people displaced by conflict, disaster and persecution. From last month’s devastating earthquake in Afghanistan, to the ongoing refugee crisis in Ukraine – generous individuals like you ensure we can send life-saving aid and protection to those in need around the world.
I also wanted to update you on UNHCR’s work in Ukraine, where we’ve assisted 1.5 million people. This includes cash assistance so refugees can buy essentials, counselling for traumatised children, and accommodation for families who’ve lost their homes.
Yurii built his family a beautiful home in Kyiv, but it was all destroyed in mere moments in a missile strike. Yurii and his wife, Oksana, and daughter, Svitlana, were sheltering in the basement. They were lucky to escape with their lives.
The family is now struggling in different ways – while Yurii says he is determined to rebuild the house brick by brick, Oksana has been experiencing nightmares and insomnia.
With the support of generous donors, UNHCR provided the family with a Refugee Housing Unit, which offers shelter and protection while they consider their future. The Unit has a strong frame, along with windows, floor coverings and solar power, and offers a more durable and dignified solution than tents, especially as the harsh winter approaches.
Along with emergency housing, UNHCR is providing cash assistance, emergency supplies and psychosocial support for people displaced inside Ukraine, as well as refugees who have fled across the border. Within Ukraine alone, we have provided food and relief items for 625,000 people, cash payments for 390,000 people, and protection services such as counselling and legal aid for 178,000 people.
Thank you for supporting UNHCR’s emergency response work. From Afghanistan to Ukraine – your gifts ensure we can send life-saving aid to those who need it most.
