Concern launches humanitarian response within Ukraine

Having completed assessments in the border countries of Poland, Moldova, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania, Concern’s emergency response team will focus their activities inside Ukraine where they believe the humanitarian needs are greatest. 

The UN refugee agency, the UNHCR, warned last week that in addition to the 3.5 million who have fled Ukraine, a further 6.5 million Ukrainians have been forced by the conflict to leave their homes, but they remain within the country. The number of displaced people is continuing to grow every day.

“A quarter of Ukraine’s population is on the move – the equivalent of twice the number of people on the island of Ireland,” Concern’s Head of Emergency Operations Ros O’Sullivan said. “The sheer scale is unprecedented.  We will work to support those in transit and those who can no longer keep moving.”

Concern’s emergency response team  is working closely with its partners in the Alliance2015 group of European non-government organisations (NGOs), two of which, Czech NGO People in Need and French NGO ACTED, have been working in Ukraine since 2014 and have well-established relationships with local authorities and local NGOs. They are supporting people within Ukraine within their homes and those who have been forced to flee the conflict.  The response includes:

• Cash payments targeting 10,000 people. The initial focus will be on displaced people living with host families or in rented accommodation in the Lvivska region, but this programme will expand to other regions in western Ukraine;
• Procurement and delivery of family household kits (including blankets, bed linen and cutlery), hygiene kits  (including soap, bleach, toilet paper and plastic buckets) and baby kits (including nappies and baby wipes) ;
• Support to hosting facilities and collective centres in Western Ukraine for displaced people, with items such as mattresses and blankets, support with equipment such as washing machines and stoves; assistance with utility payments; upgrades to sanitation or heating systems; and establishing child-friendly spaces.

 “The humanitarian need here is huge and growing daily, as more and more people arrive,” Mr O’Sullivan noted. “But Concern and its partners are very well placed on the ground to respond. This response is made possible by of the generosity of the Irish people.  We urge you to support our Ukraine Crisis appeal today online at www.concern.net or by calling our emergency hotline 0818 410510.”

For media queries contact Eamon Timmins, Media Relations Manager,  Concern Worldwide at eamon.timmins@concern.net or 087 9880524