CORE Ukrainian Refugee Crisis

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022, has resulted in millions of people fleeing their homes. According to UNHCR and OCHA[1], as of January 2023, 7.9 million people had registered as refugees across Europe, and 17.6 million people are estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance in Ukraine, including 6.3 million IDPs.

CORE provided a timely response to the February 2022 invasion, by immediately launching an emergency response to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukrainians affected by the war. Since then, CORE’s emergency response operates in three countries—Ukraine, Poland, and Romania, aiding a total of 225,000 people.

• CORE’s Response & Impact

CORE’s teams work with international and local partners to address the needs of the most vulnerable displaced and refugee population. This allows CORE to provide urgent assistance to address critical needs while establishing community-driven sustainable solutions. CORE’s humanitarian assistance efforts in the region include shelter, WASH, cash assistance, food, and information campaigns. However, CORE’s emergency response is continuously adapted to adequately respond to the changing needs of the affected population. The winter temperatures have exacerbated these needs, stressing the vulnerabilities faced by Ukrainians due to destroyed and damaged infrastructure and power shortages. In this regard, CORE’s efforts are currently focused on providing critical support to mitigate the risks of deadly winter temperatures— such as distributing winter garments and blankets, charcoal, firewood, and power generators, and reinforcing the infrastructure of shelters.

CORE’s capacity to provide timely and relevant assistance was also reflected in the response provided on January 14, 2023, when an apartment complex in Dnipro was hit by a missile, leaving hundreds of people without a home in sub-zero temperatures. CORE deployed a team on the scene within hours and based on the request of the rescuers, the team distributed heated blankets to 210 people.

Throughout the region, CORE’s efforts have had the following results:

        USD 800,000 distributed in cash and voucher assistance

        87,000 refugees received information support

        60+ shelters supported

        20,300 people received hygiene kits

        57,000 warm garments and blankets distributed

UKRAINE

CORE’s efforts in the country are currently focused on the distribution of emergency relief items to communities in frontline and recently liberated areas, winterization activities, launching a rental assistance program in the West and supporting shelter rehabilitation efforts in areas with large numbers of IDPs. A total of 35,000 people received relief items (medicine and non-food items), and 65,000 people received food. Moreover, CORE improved the conditions of existing community shelters and renovated public buildings so they could be used as mid- and long-term shelters—benefitting 9,000 people. In partnership with Will Help Together, CORE provided furniture and household appliances for shelters and collective centers hosting IDPs, including wardrobes, fridges, washing machines and cooktops. CORE also provided heating supplies and generators to communities in need, in addition to 1,300 cubic meters of firewood for heating throughout the winter.

POLAND

In cooperation with UNHCR, CORE contributed to a two-month rehabilitation project of four buildings to serve as shelters for Ukrainian refugees. These shelters provided protection to 1,384 people. As part of these efforts, CORE also distributed warm clothes for 391 families, and enrolled over 2,550 refugees in UNHCR’s cash assistance programs. With the support of other partner organizations, CORE’s team is renovating 33 units to house 150 refugee families. Finally, CORE established additional information, resource coordination and distribution points, a portable connectivity center, and carried out gender-based violence mitigation efforts.

ROMANIA

CORE’s information points for refugees in Romania provided services to 64,000 Ukrainian refugees. CORE’s team provided medical services and integration services that benefited 586 women and children. CORE also refurbished three shelters in preparation for winter, and distributed food and relief items, including 260 tons of fresh fruit and vegetables. Other efforts included reproductive health support, childcare, and gender-based violence mitigation.    

[1] OCHA Humanitarian Needs Overview 2023; UNHCR Delivery Updates: Ukraine Emergency, February 2023.