Destruction of essential infrastructure by Russian forces and the displacement of millions of people is causing conditions to worsen for Ukrainians affected by war. The UNHCR estimates that over 3 million people are now displaced and a further 13 million are affected by the lack of essential services. More than 200,000 people are now without access to water across several localities in Donetsk Oblast while the constant shelling in Luhansk region has destroyed 80 percent of some localities, leaving 97,800 families without power.

According to UNHCR the humanitarian situation in cities such as Mariupol and Sumy is extremely dire, with residents facing critical and potentially fatal shortages of food, water and medicines. In Odesa, authorities have appealed for support for general food assistance to cover the needs of some 450,000 people in the city, as well as medicines.  Vulnerable population groups – such as women and children, people with disabilities or with serious medical conditions, as well as older people and minority groups – are increasingly facing barriers in accessing critical services such as transportation, food, water, medicines, and emergency health care in impacted areas.

Over 3 million people have now left Ukraine and 90 percent of these are women and children. Two thirds of these refugees have fled to Poland. “This has been a tremendous effort from the people, local communities, municipalities and government of Poland in receiving and hosting new arrivals,” said Christine Goyer, UNHCR’s Representative in Poland. “What is important now is that the international community steps up to help provide more durable support, while access to protection and asylum is ensured and maintained for all people seeking safety at Poland’s borders.”