UN highlights acute Humanitarian crisis as Ukraine war nears fourth year

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Friday, February 21st, 2025

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GENEVA – As Ukraine approaches the fourth year of war, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that humanitarian needs remain acute across the country.
Matthias Schmale, the UN’s assistant secretary-general and humanitarian coordinator in Ukraine, emphasized during a briefing in Geneva that 12.7 million people—36% of the population—will need urgent humanitarian aid in 2025. He said civilians continue to face daily violence, with homes and schools destroyed and livelihoods devastated.
Schmale warned that the harsh winter conditions, combined with ongoing attacks on key infrastructure, will worsen the crisis. He noted that strikes on energy facilities could leave hospitals and homes without electricity or heating during the coldest months, intensifying the population’s suffering.
He also stressed the importance of delivering aid to front-line regions where constant bombardments have led to severe food shortages and limited access to healthcare. Evacuations from active war zones remain a significant challenge, particularly for older people and those with disabilities who struggle to access transport or medical care.
Schmale highlighted the urgent need to support emergency response teams working to repair civilian infrastructure and provide long-term solutions for millions of internally displaced people. He described the situation as Europe’s largest displacement crisis since World War II.
Calling for continued global support, Schmale warned that the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine risks being overshadowed by other global events. The UN is seeking $2.6 billion in funding for 2025 to assist six million people in need. “Every contribution matters,” he said.