www.rescue.org Open in urlscan Pro
2606:4700::6811:746c  Public Scan

Form analysis
1 forms found in the DOM

GET /search/site

<form action="/search/site" method="GET" accept-charset="UTF-8">
  <div class="rplm-search-form__wrapper">
    <div class="rplm-search-form__text-input-wrapper">
      <div class="rpla-text-input rpla-text-input--type-three rpla-text-input--placeholder-bold">
        <label class="rpla-text-input__label" for="search">Search</label>
        <input class="rpla-text-input__field" type="text" name="search" aria-label="search" placeholder="Search here">
      </div>
    </div>
    <div class="rplm-search-form__submit-wrapper">
      <button type="submit" class="rpla-icon-only-link rpla-icon-only-link--search rpla-icon-only-link--type-one" aria-label="search">
        <span class="rpla-icon-only-link__icon-wrapper">
          <div class="rpla-icon rpla-icon--search rpla-icon--fill-third-party-hover">
            <svg viewBox="0 0 16 16" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-miterlimit="1.414">
              <path
                d="M6.053 12.105C2.737 12.105 0 9.368 0 6.053 0 2.737 2.737 0 6.053 0c3.315 0 6.052 2.737 6.052 6.053 0 3.315-2.737 6.052-6.052 6.052zm0-10c-2.158 0-3.948 1.79-3.948 3.948S3.895 10 6.053 10 10 8.21 10 6.053c0-2.158-1.79-3.948-3.947-3.948z"
                fill-rule="nonzero"></path>
              <path d="M9.874 8.352l6.18 6.177-1.49 1.49-6.178-6.18 1.488-1.488z" fill-rule="nonzero"></path>
            </svg>
          </div>
        </span>
      </button>
    </div>
  </div>
</form>

Text Content

Skip to main content

Home

Crisis watch: Flooding in Pakistan: Millions in urgent need
 * 
   Log in
 * 
   Careers
 * 
   Volunteer
 * * U.S./Global
     * United Kingdom
     * Deutschland
     * Sverige
     * European Union
 * 

 * Donate


×
 * Who We Are
   
   * ABOUT US
     
     * At a Glance
     * Annual Report
     * Financials & Ratings
     * Our Strategy
     * Diversity, Equality and Inclusion
   
   * OUR PEOPLE
     
     * President David Miliband
     * Staff Leaders
     * Board & Advisors
     * Ambassadors
 * Where We Work
   
   * PLACEHOLDER
     
     * Africa
        * Burkina Faso
        * Burundi
        * Cameroon
        * Central African Republic
        * Chad
        * Democratic Republic of Congo
        * Ethiopia
        * Ivory Coast
        * Kenya
        * Liberia
        * Libya
       
        * Mali
        * Niger
        * Nigeria
        * Sierra Leone
        * Somalia
        * Sudan
        * South Sudan
        * Tanzania
        * Uganda
        * Zimbabwe
     
     * Asia
        * Afghanistan
        * Bangladesh
        * Malaysia
       
        * Myanmar
        * Pakistan
        * Thailand
     
     * Europe
        * Germany
        * Greece
        * Italy
       
        * Poland
        * Serbia
        * Ukraine
     
     * Latin America
        * Colombia
        * Ecuador
        * El Salvador
       
        * Mexico
        * Venezuela
     
     * Middle East
        * Iraq
        * Jordan
        * Lebanon
       
        * Syria
        * Yemen
     
     * United States
        * Abilene, TX
        * Atlanta, GA
        * Baltimore, MD
        * Boise, ID
        * Charlottesville, VA
        * Dallas, TX
        * Des Moines, IA
        * Denver, CO
        * Elizabeth, NJ
        * Los Angeles, CA
        * Miami, FL
        * Missoula, MT
        * New York, NY
        * Oakland, CA
       
        * Phoenix, AZ
        * Richmond, VA
        * Sacramento, CA
        * Salt Lake City, UT
        * San Diego, CA
        * San Jose, CA
        * Seattle, WA
        * Silver Spring, MD
        * Spokane, WA
        * Tallahassee, FL
        * Tucson, AZ
        * Turlock, CA
        * Wichita, KS
 * What We Do
   
   * WHERE WE FOCUS
     
     * Economic Wellbeing
     * Education
     * Health
     * Empowerment
     * Safety
   
   * OUR APPROACH
     
     * Centered on Women & Girls
     * Policy & Advocacy
     * How We Use Evidence
     * Airbel Impact Lab
     * Reports and Resources
 * How To Help
   
   * GIVE
     
     * Donate Monthly
     * Start a Fundraising Campaign
     * Make a Planned Gift
     * Donor Advised Funds (DAF)
     * Streaming and gaming
     * Make a Tribute Gift
     * Rescue Gifts
   
   * JOIN US
     
     * Take Action
     * Become a Corporate Partner
     * Attend an Event
     * Volunteer
     * Careers
 * Latest
   
   * NEWS
     
     * Media Center
     * News & Features
   
   * CRISES & ISSUES
     
     * Afghanistan crisis
     * Ukraine crisis
     * Looming famine
     * Border asylum seekers
     * Climate change
     * Refugees in America

Donate

 * 
   Crisis Watch
 * 
   Log in
 * 
   Careers
 * 
   Volunteer
 * * U.S./Global
     * United Kingdom
     * Deutschland
     * Sverige
     * European Union



Ukraine Crisis


UKRAINE WAR: WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS ON THE WORLD TODAY?



August 23, 2022
Photo: Francesco Pistilli for IRC


After over six months of fighting, there is no end in sight for the war in
Ukraine. Millions of civilians are unable to return home. Many still in the
country are forced to live without access to food, water, health care, and other
essential supplies.

This is not an isolated crisis—blockades of Ukrainian grain exports have
worsened hunger in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions.  Even as
international efforts have helped to resume grain shipments, the situation
remains dire. In East Africa, for instance, a perfect storm of continued
drought, the blockade, and the economic fallout from the war is causing mass
starvation. Without urgent international funding, 3 million people in the region
could lose their lives. 

Get the facts on how the war in Ukraine is impacting both Ukrainians and people
around the globe.


WHAT IS LIFE LIKE INSIDE UKRAINE?

The continued conflict in Ukraine is causing extreme civilian harm and leaving
millions without access to food, water and other essential supplies. Innocent
civilians have been cruelly caught up in the conflict, with over 13,000
casualties since 24th February, including over 5,500 killed. 

There has been catastrophic damage to civilian infrastructure, including
hospitals and schools.  In eastern Ukraine, where the fighting is the heaviest,
many places are without power and with limited access to food, water and health
services. 

As people continue to flee their homes to seek safety, over 6 million people are
internally displaced within the country.

Maxim’s family stayed in Ukraine as long as they could so that his little sister
with special needs could continue her treatment. The family was forced to flee
as their hospital became overwhelmed with casualities from the war.
Photo: Andrew Oberstadt for the IRC


FIGHTING NEAR THE ZAPORIZHZHIA NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

Of particular worry for world leaders recently has been fighting near the
Ukrainian Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, which is currently controlled by Russian
forces. Zaporizhzhia is Europe’s biggest nuclear facility and recent attacks on
the nearby city of Nikopol have raised concerns over the potential for the war
to damage the nuclear power plant. A malfunction at Zaporizhzhia could lead to
the release of radiation, affecting large portions of Europe.


WHAT IS LIFE LIKE FOR THOSE DISPLACED BY THE WAR IN UKRAINE?

The war in Ukraine has created the fastest displacement crisis in Europe since
World War II. The majority of those displaced are women and children, who are
always most at risk of exploitation and abuse during crises.


HOW MANY UKRAINIAN REFUGEES ARE THERE?

As of August 22, 2022, there are over 6.6 million refugees from Ukraine recorded
across Europe.


WHERE HAVE MOST UKRAINIAN REFUGEES FOUND PROTECTION?

Ukrainian refugees are predominantly finding safety in neighboring countries.
Poland has granted protection to over 1.2 million Ukrainian refugees while other
nearby countries Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Moldova have each given safety
to tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees. 

Marta* and Oksana* are two sisters from Ukraine. When the war broke out they
fled together with their children and one small bag to Poland. The sisters are
grateful for the assistance provided by volunteers who are welcoming refugees.
Photo: Andrew Oberstadt for the IRC


WHAT IS LIFE LIKE FOR UKRAINIAN WOMEN AND CHILDREN FLEEING THE CONFLICT?

The majority of people displaced by the conflict are women and children; two
groups that are always most at risk of exploitation and abuse during crises. In
crisis settings, existing gender inequality is exacerbated while instances of
gender based violence increase. 

Women forced to flee their homes also often struggle to access critical
reproductive health care and pre and post-natal care, as these types of care are
often limited in crisis situations. 

Children forced to flee Ukraine have their lives uprooted, education interrupted
and are in some cases even separated from their families.

One mother’s story about fleeing Ukraine with her children

Maria waits for transportation with her daughter, Daryna, and their dog, Tyson.
“It was time to leave. I was also concerned about my child. I wanted her to stay
alive, that no bombs would fall on us." said Maria.
Photo: Andrew Oberstadt for IRC


HOW DOES THE WAR IN UKRAINE AFFECT THE REST OF THE WORLD?

The war in Ukraine has an obvious impact on those displaced by conflict. The war
also continues to have a major effect on the global markets and food supply.
Ukraine’s inability to export grain throughout the first five months of the
conflict worsened a global hunger crisis, with catastrophic impacts throughout
the world.


WHY IS UKRAINE GRAIN SO IMPORTANT?

Ukraine is historically a large exporter of grain. In 2021, Ukrainian grain fed
400 million people around the world. For the first 5 months of the war, Ukraine
was unable to export its grain through its primary shipping routes through the
Black Sea. 

Countries reliant on this grain suffered as a consequence. Several
grain-receiving countries across the Middle East and Africa were already
experiencing hunger crises due to conflict and climate change. The war in
Ukraine made these hunger crises worse.


WHAT COUNTRIES ARE IMPACTED BY THE WAR IN UKRAINE?

The global repercussions of the war have had catastrophic impacts on countries
already facing conflict and crises. 

“Six months of war has taken a terrible toll—not just on Ukrainian civilians but
civilians worldwide.” Said IRC President and CEO, David Miliband, “IRC’s clients
are dealing with the devastating global repercussions—from East Africa to the
Sahel to the Middle East to Central America.” 

Dr. Sila, an IRC health manager, screens 1 year old Vanessa for signs of
malnutrition at the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. The war in Ukraine has
contributed to increasing rates of malnutrition in Kenya by limiting food
supplies.
Photo: Patrick Meinhardt for the IRC

East Africa is facing a looming famine, as a severe drought hits the region
alongside the disruption in food supply caused by the war in Ukraine. Over 14
million people across Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya are already on the verge of
starvation—about half of them children. That number could rise to 20 million if
the world fails to take urgent action.

The Sahel region of Africa is experiencing its highest levels of severe food
insecurity since 2014. Up to 18 million people are experiencing severe hunger.

In the Middle East, the war in Ukraine has sent prices of wheat and fuel
spiraling. Syrian refugees are among the hardest hit, as many do not have the
incomes to cover the dramatically increased cost of living.

Swasan* is the main breadwinner of her family, displaced from their home in
Aleppo, Syria. Rising food prices have made it harder for Swasan to provide
enough food for her family.
Photo: Abdullah Hammam

In Central America, prices for staple foods like white maize are well above the
five-year average. Together with climate change and ongoing insecurity, nearly
13 million people across the region face growing hunger.


WHAT IS THE UKRAINE GRAIN DEAL?

Earlier this month, Ukraine and Russia entered into separate deals which paved
the way for Ukraine to resume its grains export. The IRC welcomed the
announcement that the first grain shipment under the Ukrainian grain deal left
the Port of Odessa in early August. This represents an important first step to
easing the pressure of hunger crises in many grain-receiving states.  

“This is the first of many lifelines needed to ease the global food crisis and
help the millions of people at risk of starving around the world.” said Marysia
Zapasnik, the IRC’s Ukraine country director. “The international community must
ensure regular and predictable food shipments urgently reach those on the brink
of starvation and that Ukraine’s farmers are able to safely grow and transport
crops to the ports”.


WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN NOW?

An immediate end to violence in Ukraine is needed to preserve human life and
dignity. World leaders must ensure that international humanitarian law is upheld
and that humanitarian actors are protected and maintain access to help those in
need.

Ukrainian refugees gather at the Medyka border crossing point in Poland.
Photo: Francesco Pistilli for IRC

The world must also continue to support both the people who fled Ukraine and the
millions of refugees and displaced people worldwide.  While there has rightly
been an outpouring of global support for people fleeing Ukraine, equal empathy
must be shown for refugees and displaced people in many other crises around the
world including Afghanistan, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Yemen
and Syria.

To address the hunger crises hitting East Africa and other regions, donors
should urgently channel funding to front line responders who can reach those
most in need and deliver the health programming, food and cash assistance, and
clean water that people need to survive.


WHAT IS THE IRC DOING TO HELP?


OUR WORK IN UKRAINE 

In Ukraine, we are focusing our assistance in the areas most heavily affected by
the conflict. Together with our local partners:

 * We are providing timely cash support to vulnerable families to enable them to
   cover their most basic needs;
 * We are distributing essential items such as bedding, soap, shampoo,
   toothpaste, diapers and other hygiene related items to newly displaced
   families as they flee areas of heavy fighting;
 * We are providing essential protection services, including the setting up of
   Safe Healing and Learning Spaces for children, gender-based violence and
   women protection services and legal assistance for people who have lost their
   documents or need new documents such as death and birth certificates;
 * We are supporting overwhelmed health facilities with much needed supplies and
   refresher training on conflict related injuries. 

In addition to that, we are urgently preparing for our winter response. In areas
most heavily affected by the conflict, especially in the east, temperatures are
expected to drop to well below zero fahrenheit in the winter months. In many of
these areas there will be limited or no access to electricity or gas for
heating. Together with our partners, we are identifying communities most in need
and planning how we can best respond.


OUR WORK IN POLAND

The IRC is also on the ground in Poland working with five local organizations to
meet the needs of families displaced from Ukraine, many of whom are staying in
shelters across the country. Working with partners allows us to bolster the
crisis response of people who have already been active in the community and are
experts on the local context. 

 * With the Polish Red Cross, we are providing bedding, toiletries, mental
   health support and other emergency assistance to people arriving at border
   crossings or continuing their journeys into Poland from relocation points.
 * The IRC and the Polish Center for International Aid (PCPM) are delivering
   cash support to families living in cities including Lublin, Gdańsk, Łódź, and
   Poznań, to ensure they can buy food, medicine, clothing and other essentials.
 * We are working with our partner Norma to set up Safe Healing and Learning
   Spaces across nine shelters in Warsaw, which will provide families, and
   children in particular, the space they need to recover from the trauma they
   have endured.
 * With PCPM, we are connecting Ukrainian teachers with jobs in Poland and
   delivering cash support to ensure their salaries. This approach means that
   teachers can work flexibly and teach in schools where Ukrainian language
   skills are most needed.  
 * We are working to help children who arrived as refugees integrate into Polish
   classrooms, providing cultural assistants and other support.
 * With our partner Migam we are providing sign language translation to support
   access to services for refugees with special needs
 * A new grant by Google.org and a Google.org Fellowship team will help the IRC
   support United for Ukraine, an information portal and civil society effort
   that helps displaced people find access to critical services. The initiative
   will be part of the IRC’s Signpost Project, a global humanitarian technology
   program operating in 15 countries that helps refugees find resources to meet
   their urgent needs.

Learn more about the IRC's emergency response in Ukraine and Poland.


HOW CAN I HELP UKRAINE?

Donate now: Your gift will help us provide food, medical care and emergency
support services to families whose lives are shattered by conflict and crises
around the world. 

*Name changed for privacy

EXPLORE RELATED TOPICS:

 * War in Ukraine
 * Ukraine refugees
 * Famine


RELATED NEWS & FEATURES

 * Ukraine crisis
   3 ways the Ukraine conflict will drive up hunger in other crisis zones
   March 21, 2022
 * Ukraine crisis
   How does the IRC respond to an emergency like Ukraine?
   March 7, 2022
 * Emergency response
   Crisis Watch: Breaking news from the IRC
   October 21, 2020
 * Ukraine crisis
   The Ukraine-Russia crisis: What is happening?
   February 23, 2022


Crisis Watch
 * Who We Are
 * Where We Work
 * What We Do
 * How To Help
 * Latest

 * Careers
 * Contact Us
 * Donor Help
 * Code of Conduct
 * Ethics Hotline

Our efficiency
 * 87% Program services
 * 8% Management and general
 * 5% Fundraising

Donate

Join our mailing list

Get the latest news about the IRC's innovative programs, compelling stories
about our clients and how you can make a difference. Subscribe

Follow Us

Rescue Websites:
 * U.S./Global
 * UK
 * Germany
 * Sweden
 * EU

 * IRC UK
 * Stichting Vluchteling
 * Respecting Your Privacy
 * Terms and Conditions

International Rescue Committee is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. EIN
number 13-5660870.
Copyright © International Rescue Committee, 2022.
×
Help children and families in crisis zones with a 3x matched gift.
Donate now


×
Search