As the needs of people fleeing Ukraine skyrocket, donors must deliver on their commitments to robust regional response

NRC welcomes the generous pledges of USD 6.5 billion at the donors’ conference for Ukraine. The ongoing support of the international community is crucial not only for the people of Ukraine but also for the neighboring countries, hosting the largest numbers of refugees fleeing the ongoing war.

We welcome the generous pledges of USD 6.5 billion at today’s donors’ conference for #Ukraine.

Now is the time for the for the international community to deliver on its commitments. Our latest:https://t.co/QYaGC9TH45

— NRC (@NRC_Norway) May 5, 2022

The UN and aid organizations on the ground in neighboring countries must do all they can to support national and local emergency and long-term relief work, and introduce robust contingency measures to ensure that people forced to flee are protected for as long as needed. The regional aid response must target everyone in dire need of assistance, including the most vulnerable people in host countries, who also suffer the economic impact of the war. This step is essential to ensure that the solidarity shown to Ukrainian refugees by the people of Moldova, Romania, and Poland remains intact.

This funding needs to reach frontline responders in a timely manner both in Ukraine and in neighboring countries. NRC urges donors to simplify administrative procedures to the extent possible for local partners and international organizations working with them, as well as push for a change on the EU level to make the humanitarian funds accessible to non-governmental actors in EU member states.

“The amounts pledged must not be reallocated from other humanitarian funding pots, and should not come at the expense of other crises across the Middle East, Central, Western, and the Horn of Africa where food insecurity is reaching alarming levels”, Dominika Arseniuk, the Norwegian Refugee Council’s Country Director in Poland.

Donors should also support organizations working with people who fall outside of existing protection solutions and special legislation introduced in response to the war. It is crucial that the welcome provided to the people affected by the armed conflict in Ukraine is extended without any discrimination based on race, religion, or ethnicity.

See also: 🔴 LIVE UPDATES | Humanitarian response to Ukraine crisis