Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis February 2022

The security situation in Ukraine deteriorated rapidly following the launch of a Russian Federation military offensive on 24 February 2022. Armed violence escalated rapidly in at least eight oblasts (regions), including Kyivska oblast and the capital city of Kyiv, as well as the Eastern oblasts of Donetska and Luhanska which were already affected by conflict.

The intense military escalation has resulted in loss of life, injuries and mass movement of the civilian population throughout Ukraine and to neighbouring countries, as well as severe destruction and damage to civilian infrastructure and residential housing. Public service provision - water, electricity, heating and emergency health and social services - is under severe pressure, and people’s access to health care is limited by insecurity. Primary services such as banking, social transfers and transport have been affected, as have basic services, such as health, water, and electricity, and local administration. With the continuation of the military operation and mounting insecurity, supply chains are likely to be disrupted for a prolonged period of time. The ability of local authorities to sustain a minimum level of services has also been severely hampered, as employees have fled or can no longer access their workplace.

On 1 March 2022, the UN and humanitarian partners launched coordinated emergency appeals of US$1.7 billion to address the acute humanitarian needs of crisis-affected people within Ukraine and refugees in neighbouring countries.

The Flash Appeal, coordinated by OCHA, asks for $1.1 billion to assist 6 million people inside Ukraine for an initial three months. The programme includes multipurpose cash assistance for the most vulnerable people, food assistance, water and sanitation, support to health care and education services, and shelter assistance to rebuild damaged homes. The plan also aims to deliver support to authorities to maintain and establish transit and reception centres for displaced people and prevent gender-based violence.

The inter-agency Regional Refugee Response Plan for the Ukraine situation, led by UNHCR, asks for a preliminary $550.6 million to help refugees in Poland, the Republic of Moldova, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, as well as in other countries in the region in order to help host countries provide shelter, emergency relief items, cash assistance, and mental health and psychosocial support to those who fled Ukraine, including people with specific needs, such as unaccompanied children.

Mobilizing the Private Sector to Support Humanitarian Response and Recovery

The private sector plays a crucial role in disaster preparedness, as well as crisis response and recovery. Over the years, CBi and its Member Networks have been engaged in crisis response and development efforts in fragile and conflict-affected areas, contributing to save the lives and livelihoods of people affected in the countries.

The OCHA Business Guide to the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis outlines the ways that businesses around the world can support the people of Ukraine.

CBi has been supporting the private sector networks in disaster management in fragile situations and/or conflict-affected areas. The guidance toolkit for private sector networks on engaging companies in manmade disasters developed by CBi in partnership with the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) provides a framework and practical tips for private sector networks to translate manmade disaster contexts into an engagement strategy that fits the capabilities of network participants, efficiently channel private sector capabilities and support governments and the humanitarian community. The Guidance Note on Conflict Sensitivity in Private Sector Disaster Management provides an overview of the concept and lists recommended actions for business networks to consider as they design and implement various interventions before, during and after crises. More resources on Conflict and Fragility are available on CBi’s workstream page.

CBi does not have an active presence in Ukraine or, indeed, any country in Eastern Europe. However, we are closely coordinating with partners on the ground through OCHA and UNDP, including UNHCR and UN Global Compact Local Networks in Ukraine, Poland, and elsewhere.