People in Need is ready to help in Ukraine
Published: Feb 10, 2022 Reading time: 3 minutes
The long-running armed conflict in eastern Ukraine is causing a protracted humanitarian crisis. People in Need is currently helping 200,000 people on the ground. We are working on both sides of the contact line, even today when international tensions are rising. In the event of an escalation of the conflict, People in Need is ready to provide assistance to people fleeing the areas of fighting and to continue existing aid programmes as the situation permits.
"We have 110 aid workers in Ukraine who are ready to start helping people affected by new fighting or those escaping to the Ukrainian interior in the event of an escalation of the conflict. The assistance would initially focus on providing material aid such as food, water, clothing, hygiene kits, blankets, cots, or psychosocial support. People in Need would also assist in areas with a high concentration of internally displaced people,” says Petr Drbohlav, PIN Regional director for the Eastern partnership and Balkans.
To help the victims of the conflict in Ukraine, People in Need has announced the SOS Ukraine collection. Since 2014, Czech donors have contributed more than CZK 17 million (680,000 EUR). "We ask the Czech public for support. Depending on the development of the situation, donations to the collection will be used either for direct aid to people fleeing the areas of fighting or for ongoing aid to people suffering as a result of the long-term humanitarian crisis in eastern Ukraine," says Drbohlav, PIN Regional director for the Eastern partnership and Balkans.
"In towns and villages along the contact line, infrastructure has ceased to function, roads are not repaired, shops are not open, and there is no water because the water supply has been damaged due to the conflict. Access to health and education is very restricted. Young people have left the area because they do not see any opportunities. There are no jobs, and mines, railways and factories have closed. In view of the current escalation, it is hard to imagine that anyone would want to start a business, or even stay in the area, with the uncertainty that now prevails," adds Petr Drbohlav.
How we are currently helping
At present, People in Need is helping more than 200,000 people. Our team is working mainly in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, both in the territory under the control of the Ukrainian government and in non-government controlled areas.
The aid focuses on those in the greatest need, who have often lost everything. We provide them with financial assistance to buy the basic necessities of life, hygiene kits, or food parcels with flour, oil, salt and sugar. At least 26,000 people will gain access to healthcare thanks to our projects. Current projects also focus on repairing damaged houses and water systems. Thanks to currently implemented projects, 32,600 people will have better access to drinking water, 3,340 people will have their roofs repaired, and building material as well as basic household equipment will be provided.
As armed conflict also has a great psychological impact on people who are afraid of the future, fearing for their lives or the lives of their loved ones, we also provide psychosocial support to those in need.
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