Ukraine and neighbouring countries - Emergency Assistance – HelpAge 2022

March 2022 – The humanitarian situation in Ukraine deteriorated significantly following the Russian military offensive beginning 24 February which has resulted in over 2 million people displaced to neighbouring countries including Poland Hungary Romania Moldova and Slovakia and nearly 1.5 million people internally displaced. The UN estimates that over 12 million people will need humanitarian assistance over the next three months and the UNHCR estimates that as many as 4 million people could seek refuge in neighbouring countries. On March 1 2022 humanitarian partners issued appeals for approximately USD 2 billion to support the humanitarian response inside Ukraine over the next three months as well as the humanitarian needs of Ukrainians seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. In light of the complexity of the crisis it is anticipated that humanitarian needs will grow commensurately which will require ongoing donor support to allow partners to scale up their humanitarian response in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. With GAC’s support HelpAge is providing assistance to address growing humanitarian needs in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. This project focuses on providing non-food items food assistance and health service increasing access to water sanitation and hygiene and providing protection services for conflict-affected children. Project activities include: (1) providing multi-purpose cash and voucher; (2) providing protection services including psychosocial support to crisis affected populations; (3) providing emergency non-food-kits and food assistance conflict-affected families; and (4) increasing access to safe water and hygiene and dignity kits.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased access to emergency gender-responsive non-food items food assistance and medical supplies for crisis affected girls boys women and men; (2) increased equitable access to emergency and hygiene kits including personal protection equipment; (3) increased access to safe drinking water and basic food for conflict-affected girls boys women and men; and (4) increased equitable access to quality protection services including psychological first aid and psychosocial support. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.