Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the UN and its partners have been providing critical support to people in need, complementing the Ukrainian government’s assistance. This aid reaches city residents facing repeated drone and missile strikes, communities near the frontline, and those evacuated to safer areas. The appeal emphasizes support for internally displaced people who have been living in collective shelters for years, as well as older adults and people with limited mobility.
Matthias Schmale, the UN’s top aid official in Ukraine, highlighted the urgency of the funding appeal, noting the intensity of recent attacks. Over a single week, Russian forces reportedly launched nearly 1,100 attack drones, more than 890 guided aerial bombs, and at least 50 missiles, including ballistic and cruise missiles, with some targeting areas as far west as Lviv near the Polish border.
The UN’s appeal seeks funding to deliver core humanitarian assistance, including food, healthcare, shelter, protection, and cash support. A key focus is enabling the evacuation of people in imminent danger, described by Schmale as the “heroic work near the front line” carried out by hundreds of UN-supported partners. Funding will also support civil society organizations responding to attacks nationwide, particularly within 50 kilometres of the frontline, including aid for farmers in war zones and cancer patients whose access to medicine has been disrupted.
Schmale emphasized the scale of civilian suffering, especially as winter temperatures drop to minus 15°C in Kyiv, describing the situation as “an emergency within an emergency.” He called on the international community, UN Member States, and other donors to maintain solidarity with Ukraine by providing financial support to sustain these lifesaving operations.
The appeal also underscores the human cost of the conflict: UN human rights monitoring reports indicate that 2025 was the deadliest year for civilians since the start of the war, with over 2,500 civilians killed and more than 12,000 injured.
