العربية
As Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine stretches into its fourth year, the displacement crisis persists, with civilians facing daily attacks, destruction, and forced evacuations.
Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, marked the three-year anniversary of the war on February 24, revealing that:
- Over 200,000 people have been evacuated from frontline areas in the east and north in the past six months alone.
- Since the invasion began, 10.6 million people have been displaced, with millions still fleeing ongoing violence.
Frontline Evacuations Amid Relentless Attacks
Many displaced Ukrainians first arrive at transit centers, where they receive temporary shelter, clothing, and cash assistance.
Serhii Zelenyi, a small-scale farmer from Pokrovsk, Donetsk region, was one of the last in his neighborhood to leave.
“Drones were swarming over the city every day, from morning till late at night,” Zelenyi recalls.
“Sometimes there was a two-hour pause, then bombardments started again. It was impossible.”
After weeks of relentless attacks, no electricity, food shortages, and the constant fear of death, he fled to Pavlohrad, where he now must rebuild his life from scratch.
Trauma and Emotional Toll on Civilians
The psychological impact of war remains severe, as those arriving from the frontlines are in acute distress.
Alyona Sinaeva, a psychologist with Proliska (a UNHCR partner organization in Pavlohrad), describes the extreme emotional exhaustion of evacuees:
“They come from cities where active fighting is taking place. In this space, they can relax and cry. These are emotions they have not been able to show until now.”
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and its partners are providing:
Emergency cash assistance for basic necessities. Hygiene kits, food aid, and legal support. Psychosocial services for trauma recovery.
The Scale of the Humanitarian Crisis
- 12.7 million people—about one-third of Ukraine’s population—now require urgent humanitarian assistance.
- 11 years since the start of conflict in eastern Ukraine and Crimea, destruction and mass displacement remain a daily reality.
A Call for Sustained Support
As Ukraine’s war continues, millions of displaced families need ongoing humanitarian aid to survive and rebuild. The UN, local NGOs, and international donors must work together to: Ensure safe evacuations for those in active conflict zones. Provide long-term housing and employment solutions for displaced families. Strengthen mental health support for trauma survivors.
The world must not turn away from Ukraine’s humanitarian crisis—for those still fleeing, every moment matters.