UNHCR: Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine Continues – Millions Need Assistance

After enduring the most difficult winter in the last ten years, millions of displaced Ukrainians are facing a deepening crisis, marked by deprivation and non-stop attacks, while hopes for peace remain distant, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) announced in a press release.

In Ukraine, multiple strikes on residential buildings, energy infrastructure, and key services during the winter months left millions without heating and electricity for extended periods. Although temperatures are gradually rising, the damage continues to weigh. Estimates show that in 2026, 10.8 million people in the country will need humanitarian assistance, and 3.7 million will be internally displaced.

Parallel to this, 5.9 million Ukrainians remain refugees outside the country. Across Europe, the countries that receive them provide protection and opportunities on an unprecedented scale, providing access to education, healthcare, and employment. This has helped millions to regain their stability and contribute to the communities that have received them.

But as the war continues, even stronger support is needed for the people affected by the refugee crisis, the end of which remains unclear. In addition to temporary protection, countries should also consider opportunities for alternative solutions for longer-term residence. Such measures can provide stability, especially for the most vulnerable, for whom returning may not be possible immediately even after the end of the war.

The data show that substantial inclusion yields results, and refugees tangibly support the economies of the host countries. In Poland, an analysis by UNHCR and the UK-based multinational company Deloitte shows that the net effect of Ukrainian refugees reaches 2.7-% of Poland's GDP in 2024. With the expansion of language training and wider recognition of qualifications, access to decent employment and self-reliance can be improved for refugees throughout the region.

In Ukraine itself, communities continue to repair housing, restore services, and rebuild their livelihoods with the support of UNHCR and partner non-governmental organizations. After four years of war, however, resilience has its limits. Continued humanitarian assistance remains vital, along with increased support for recovery, to prevent new displacement and create safe conditions for return.

When the situation allows, phased and voluntary return will be key to the recovery of Ukraine. UNHCR is working with the government and partners to renew people's personal documents, to support the restoration of social infrastructure, and to repair homes damaged by the war. The Commission is also working with partners to analyze the intentions of refugees, to predict return patterns, and to support the planning of Ukraine's recovery.

Since the beginning of the full-scale war, UNHCR and its partners have supported 10 million people with emergency assistance, protection services, and psychosocial support. In 2026, the Commission intends to help another 2 million people in Ukraine, provided it has sufficient funding. Throughout the region, UNHCR and its partners are assisting 1.7 million refugees and the countries that receive them, with a focus on inclusion and self-reliance.

"Winter is passing, but the humanitarian crisis is not. We must support the people of Ukraine with humanitarian aid and recovery in the country, as well as with safety and self-reliance abroad," the statement to the media further stated.