In the face of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the 2024 Ukraine Humanitarian Needs & Response Plan (HNRP) has identified 7.8 million individuals in need of humanitarian health assistance, including mental health support. Of these, 3.8 million individuals were targeted for assistance in the southern, eastern, and northern oblasts bordering the front line.
However, since the launch of the HNRP in December 2023, air strikes have intensified in areas nearest the frontline and those bordering the Russian Federation. As a result, the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine has significantly worsened as of January 2024. Waves of attacks have severely impacted the health and well-being of civilians, disrupting critical services for hundreds of thousands of people during peak winter.
Regions such as Kharkivska, Khersonska, Kyivska, Mykolaivska, Odeska and Zaporizhzhia have been heavily affected by these attacks. People are struggling to access basic services due to these attacks leading to an increase in demand for humanitarian aid.
From January to March 2024 alone, over 9700 attacks were recorded resulting in a staggering 31366 civilian casualties as of April 9th 2024. These attacks on health facilities and schools have severely hindered access to essential healthcare and other basic services such as education which are crucial for recovery efforts after any conflict or disaster.
The May offensive in Donetska, Kharkivska and Khersonska region further displaced civilians as they fled to safety adding more pressure on already strained resources and increasing demand for aid from partners responding to this crisis . Amidst all this chaos guidance on Cash Transfer programs is becoming increasingly important as it is recognized as an effective way to provide humanitarian assistance by health partners outlined in HNRP
