Ukraine crisis explained
Learn about the current crisis in Ukraine, who is affected, and key facts.
What is happening in Ukraine?
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine.
Nearly 10 million people have already fled Ukraine to other countries – that’s almost a quarter of Ukraine’s entire population.
6.5 million people are now estimated to be displaced within Ukraine. In addition, more than 12 million people are thought to be cut off in places most ravaged by the conflict. Many are unable to leave because of damage to infrastructure, lack of resources, and the increased security risk.
The situation is developing rapidly, and the death toll is rising. This latest escalation in military action comes after eight years of ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine.
ShelterBox is responding to the Ukraine crisis.
5 things you should know about the crisis in Ukraine
1. Millions of people in eastern Ukraine have been severely affected by an ongoing conflict that began in 2014 when Crimea was annexed from Ukraine.
2. Before the recent escalation in conflict, the UN estimated that 2.9 million people in Ukraine were already in need of humanitarian assistance.
3. According to the UN Refugee Agency, before the latest increase in violence, nearly 1.5 million people were internally displacedwithin Ukraine, with half being over the age of 60 – making it one of the ‘oldest’ crises in the world.
4. Since 2014, Ukraine has been the target of multiple cyber-attacks, some resulting in devastating power blackouts affecting thousands of people.
5. Winter temperatures fall as low as -8 °C in Ukraine, causing even more challenges for people caught up in the conflict.
We are deeply concerned for families in Ukraine fleeing their homes in below freezing temperatures. That is why we stand with the UN in calling for peace and the protection of civilians affected by the crisis in Ukraine and critical basic infrastructure and services.
HOW IS SHELTERBOX HELPING?
ShelterBox is responding to the Ukraine crisis. Our team is working in Moldova and coordinating with partners in Poland as we work to get aid into Ukraine and look at which countries require most support for their humanitarian response. Our team has been visiting collective centres and conducting needs assessments at a reception centre in Moldova not far from the border with Ukraine, where many refugees have been arriving.
We will be working on three projects:
1. Working with our partner, People in Need, we’re sending thousands of mattresses for collective centres like schools and churches in Lviv, Ukraine. This will offer people somewhere to sleep and keep warm at night.
2. We’re preparing shelter kits with tools and rope, high thermal blankets, hygiene kits, solar lights and water carriers to help people survive in buildings damaged by the conflict.
3. We’ll be supporting refugees in neighbouring countries with high priority items they can carry with them, like hygiene items and cash. Our teams are working with government representatives, Rotary and other humanitarian organisations in Moldova to draw up our plans.
SHELTERBOX IS RESPONDING
PLEASE DONATE TODAY TO PROVIDE LIFESAVING AID FOR FAMILIES WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED.
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