Ukraine, UNHCR : Contribution to the UNHCR Supplementary Appeal for the Ukraine Situation, 2023

The massive destruction of civilian infrastructure have made life extremely difficult for millions of people and compounded the challenges facing those who have lost homes, assets and livelihoods. Critical services, including health care, education and social protection services, have been severely disrupted putting countless lives at risk.

UNHCR aims to provide a wide range of essential services also in 2023, including protection, emergency shelter, housing support, and cash and in-kind assistance. Moreover, UNHCR's commitment to durable solutions, such as safe returns and reintegration, is paralleled by Switzerland's dedication to supporting the Ukrainian government's efforts in this regard. By focusing on area-based and participatory approaches, Switzerland's assistance merges with UNHCR's strategy, and ultimately contributing to the broader National Recovery Plan.

Furthermore, Switzerland's emphasis on partnerships with local organizations echoes UNHCR's prioritization of collaboration with national NGOs (13 out of 21 partners) and community-based organizations, reinforcing the collective effort to address the crisis. 

Enhanced Life-Saving Assistance: The prioritization of life-saving humanitarian assistance is expected to result in improved living conditions, increased access to necessities, and ultimately, a reduction in mortality and suffering among affected populations.

Improved Protection: UNHCR's assistance, is aimed at mitigating protection risks. This leads to reduced instances of violence, abuse, and exploitation, contributing to the safety of refugees, displaced persons and returnees.

Recovery and Durable Solutions: Interventions that focus on enabling internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees to recover and attain durable solutions lead to improved livelihoods, increased self-reliance, and the restoration of communities. This outcome aims to reduce dependency on humanitarian aid in the long-term.

Contingency Preparedness: UNHCR's commitment to maintaining contingency preparedness signifies its readiness to respond swiftly and effectively during the year. 

Principaux résultats attendus:  

Enhanced Life-Saving Assistance: Distribution of emergency relief items (e.g., food, shelter, clothing). Provision healthcare services in crisis-affected areas. Rapid deployment of response teams to deliver immediate assistance.

Improved Protection: Establishment and operation of protection mechanisms and safe spaces for vulnerable individuals, especially women and children. Implementation of community-based protection programs to prevent violence and exploitation.

Recovery and Durable Solutions: Livelihood support programs for IDPs and returnees. Community-based initiatives that promote social cohesion and reconciliation among displaced and host populations.

Contingency Preparedness: Development and maintenance of contingency response plans, including supply chain preparedness.

Principaux résultats antérieurs:  

In 2022, Switzerland demonstrated its unwavering support for UNHCR’s humanitarian efforts through both personnel secondment and a substantial budget contribution of CHF 5 million to the regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP) Ukraine. 

UNHCR and its NGO partners reached more than 4.32 million people within Ukraine with protection services, cash, essential items and shelter support. Life-saving assistance to frontline areas was delivered through some 653 humanitarian convoys. UNHCR has in parallel coordinated the regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP) for the Ukraine Situation, responding to the needs of people who have fled Ukraine. 

Phase 1 01.10.2023 - 31.12.2024   (Completed)