As the needs of people impacted by the conflict in Ukraine continue to grow, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is scaling up its response activities to meet immediate and urgent needs, both inside Ukraine and within the countries, people have fled to seeking safety.
Secretary-General of the IFRC, Jagan Chapagain, says: “This will be IFRC’s most extensive emergency cash program. Our number one priority is getting support from people who are most vulnerable. From our previous experience with cash assistance, we know it is a dignified approach to providing aid as quickly and efficiently as possible. While financial assistance is a major component of our response, we’re also scaling up across many other sectors including health. We have already reached 160,000 people with healthcare and first aid support, but the longer the conflict continues, the more extensive the health needs will become.”
In its largest emergency financial assistance program to date, IFRC aims to reach more than 2 million people with support, targeting 360,000 people in Ukraine and neighboring countries within the first three months. Longer-term financial assistance will address the needs of affected people as the crisis evolves.
IFRC Regional Director for Europe Birgitte Bischoff Ebbesen, says: “With every day that passes, we know vulnerabilities increase. Access to medical supplies, food, water, utilities, and other vital goods and services deteriorates. We know there are so many uncertainties for people right now, but one thing that’s clear is the needs are immense, and they will be for a long time.”
IFRC is supporting more than 1 million people with over 1,800 metric tonnes of hygiene and kitchen items, blankets, food, mats, and tarpaulins in Ukraine and surrounding countries.
The IFRC Secretariat with its member National Societies has launched a Federation-wide response plan for 1.2 billion Swiss francs, which aims to assist 3.6 million people over two years, with multi-purpose cash assistance, health & care and water, sanitation, and hygiene services, as well as shelter and housing support. Globally, more than 55 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have supported the response to date. The IFRC Secretariat is supporting this response plan by appealing for 550 million Swiss francs to scale up support to National Societies in Ukraine and neighboring countries.
See also: 🔴 LIVE UPDATES | Humanitarian response to Ukraine crisis