on 26 January, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, warned of dramatic humanitarian suffering throughout Ukraine and worsening conditions as war-affected civilians suffer through the harsh winter.

Wrapping up a week-long visit to the country, he made a strong appeal for greater international humanitarian support.

“The fighting has escalated and the humanitarian situation in the country is dramatic and urgent. Millions have been forced to flee the war and Russian attacks, and they are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance,” he said.

“Under the strong leadership of the Government, the UN and partners – especially Ukrainian organizations – have been doing all that they can to help, but without much more international support and funding, Ukrainian civilians will continue to suffer.”

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has been helping those who are displaced and is stepping up assistance to those choosing to return to their areas of origin.

Together with the Government, it recently launched the Ukraine is Home platform, with important up-to-date information for refugees as well as for facilitating housing repairs and reconstruction.