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Despite the terrible events that continue to unfold, we’re motivated by a mission to turn hope into action.

The events in Ukraine rocked the world. But for those directly affected, the impact of the war has been far-reaching and will echo for years to come. A shifting front line, and terrifying airstrikes on cities, towns and critical infrastructure across the country continue to see many people killed, injured and forced to flee their homes.  

Regular attacks on Ukraine’s energy systems have left millions of people lacking basic services, including electricity, water and heating. For many households, everyday essentials are out of reach, from food and toothpaste to warm clothes and fuel. 

While buildings can be repaired and physical scars healed, there’s also an immeasurable psychological cost due to the uncertainty, bereavement and trauma that this brutal war has inflicted upon so many in Ukraine. But people stand strong and determined, leading their own response to the challenges they face, so that they can rebuild their lives.

Ukraine today

By working with the people of Ukraine and beyond, we know that together we can change lives for the better.

  • 21.3m

    people have been affected by the war (2023).

  • 17.6m

    people are in need of humanitarian assistance (2023).

  • >3.7m

    people have been driven from their homes within Ukraine (2023).

Ukraine tomorrow

A country where peace is reached fairly. Where people and communities are supported by a strong and diverse Ukrainian civil society to lead their own recovery, and meet their needs through a ​survivor and community-led response.

How we help in Ukraine

At the heart of our work is the belief that lasting change is created through ensuring that people affected by crisis are able to lead and shape their own response and recovery.

We aim to support local and national organisations to meet their immediate needs through partnerships. In Ukraine, Christian Aid works with a network of churches, organisations and people of all faiths and none.

We value each of our partners’ skills, experience and expertise, and engage with communities to help shape responses to the challenges they face. That could be providing access to essential healthcare, organising emergency accommodation or providing psychological support to children. 

What we aim to achieve in Ukraine

Church
Support people and communities to lead their own response by funding community-led initiatives.   
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Provide access to accommodation, food, hygiene kits and household items such as bed linen, mattresses and nappies.
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Offer legal advice and psychological support.
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Provide access to shelter and evacuation, and access to healthcare and medicine in front-line areas and locations close to it.

Our impact in Ukraine

Between September 2022 and August 2023, Christian Aid and partners in Ukraine reached more than 367,000 people in 23 out of 24 oblasts (regions) across the country.

Meeting their own needs

Coordinating with Ukrainian communities and groups means avoiding duplication and identifying who needs help most. Together with our partners, we reached hundreds of thousands of people with financial help for them to decide what they needed.  
 

  • Christian Aid and partners supported 247 community groups with micro-grants across 22 oblasts (regions), reaching an estimated 170,000 people in Ukraine. The projects they chose to fund included renovating shelters, cleaning wells and rebuilding damaged community buildings. 
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Our partners providing resources to those affected by flooding in Kakhovka.
Our partners providing resources to those affected by flooding in Kakhovka.
  • Alliance for Public Health, with a network of local organisations, provided a total of 199 micro-grants, reaching an estimated 153,000 people. These grants were used to improve people’s living conditions, including heating homes, and for psychological support such as counselling, particularly for children. The funds were also spent on healthcare, repairing buildings and building underground shelters.  
     

  • Blythswood Care provided 29 micro-grants through their local partners, reaching more than 8,500 people. The micro-grants were used to reach vulnerable people, including those living with HIV, children with disabilities, and those living close to the front line. The funds were spent on a wide range of activities, including creating sensory rooms for children who are autistic, trauma therapy, agricultural tools, building playgrounds and a water purification system.

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High-tech incubators supplied by Christian Aid via Crown Agents are just one example of the many lifesaving ways that funds from the DEC's Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal have been providing medical assistance for people caught up in the conflict Credit: Christian Aid
High-tech incubators supplied by Christian Aid via Crown Agents are just one example of the many lifesaving ways that funds from the DEC's Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal have been providing medical assistance for people caught up in the conflict
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Christian Aid partner Heritage Ukraine staff deliver emergency supplies Credit: Christian Aid/ Blythswood Care
A woman and man in camouflage clothing in Ukraine look at a document

Food, shelter and warmth

Meeting essential needs is a daily challenge in a country where buildings have been destroyed, people have been forced to flee and livelihoods are disrupted.  
 

  • World Jewish Relief and partners distributed a total of 4,300 emergency food kits, reaching 11,700 people in Kharkiv oblast. The packages included a range of products, from rice and wheat porridge to canned meat and chocolate. 
     

  • In Donetsk, Kharkiv and Kherson oblasts (regions) , Blythswood’s local partner House of Mercy repaired damaged windows and doors – crucially important to keep homes warm during the winter. Over 300 houses were also repaired, providing warmer homes for 770 people.  

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A damaged building in eastern Ukraine Credit: Christian Aid
Collapsed building and a pile of rubble in Ukraine
  • A total of 7,700 people benefited from firewood for cooking and heating, generators, fuel, heaters, stoves, power banks and other essentials such as clothing and blankets to weather the winter months.  
     

  • A total of 25 safe spaces were established, providing venues for displaced families to find safety, food, rest, peer support, and receive psychological and social support. Over 9,000 people, mostly women and children, were provided with temporary accommodation, consultations with social workers and psychologists, case management to support the transition to their new homes, and activities for children.  

Health, hygiene and wellbeing

With limited healthcare facilities in some areas of the country, people losing their belongings due to disasters such as the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, and the traumatic effects of war, Christian Aid and partners have taken direct action.  
 

  • Alliance for Public Health provided mobile health clinics in the de-occupied territories of Kharkiv, Kherson and Zaporizhia oblasts (regions) that reached 14,500 people with doctor consultations, medical diagnostics, treatment and medication.

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Projections showing support for Ukraine projected onto Westminster Abbey in London on April 3rd 2022. Credit: Mark Thomas
Projections showing support for Ukraine projected onto Westminster Abbey in London on April 3rd 2022.
  • World Jewish Relief distributed emergency household hygiene kits, reaching over 11,700 people in the front-line territories of Kharkiv, Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk oblast. Packs contained washing powder, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toilet paper and more. 
     

  • Alliance for Public Health and their 26 local partners carried out crisis response services, providing consultations with doctors, psychologists and legal professionals to support their medical needs. This supported over 55,000 people with consultations.  

Image credits and information i
Faith leaders and Christian Aid supporters gather to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine at an Ecumenical Moment and prayer vigil outside the Ukrainian Embassy in London on April 3rd 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Credit: Jess Hurd
Faith leaders and Christian Aid supporters gather to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine at an Ecumenical Moment and prayer vigil outside the Ukrainian Embassy in London on April 3rd 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Where we work

We work in areas where the need is greatest and we rely on strong local and national partners.

Related reports and resources

Reports and resources
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Survivor and community led response (sclr) in Ukraine

Christian Aid partnered with four local organisations in Ukraine and neighbouring counties to implement sclr.
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Archbishop of Canterbury visits Christian Aid partner in Ukraine

Archbishop Welby visits Heritage Ukraine ahead of two year anniversary of the invasion.
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Christian Aid Global Results 2022/23

Assessing progress towards our global strategy outcomes throughout 2022/23.
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Scottish Government humanitarian funding for Ukraine

Christian Aid has been awarded £250,000 from the Scottish Government’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund for a project in Ukraine.
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Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal - stories one year on

In the past year, the invasion of Ukraine has destroyed homes, torn families apart and stolen the rights of people to lead their own lives.
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Pray for Ukraine

On Sunday 3 April, churches and Christians from across the UK and Ireland will come together in an act of witness.

How you can help

No matter how tough it gets, we stand with the people of Ukraine to make change that lasts. Your support means more awareness and funding so that Ukrainians can choose their own response to the challenges they face and protect themselves from crisis.

Donate

Help provide the resources that communities need to rebuild their future.

Hold an event

We have a variety of challenging and fun events for you to take part in.

Become a corporate partner

You'll play a key role in ensuring people's voices are heard.

Philanthropy

Whether you're a private philanthropist, a trust or foundation, you can have a lasting impact.