Ukraine

As fellow Europeans, Aid Pioneers supported Ukrainain-led organizations since the outbreak of the Russian full-scale invasion in 2022.

While 14.6 million - nearly 40% of the population - required aid in 2024, current 2025 assessments identify 12.7 million with acute humanitarian needs due to funding constraints and operational prioritization. Intense fighting, widespread destruction, and mass displacement have left millions without adequate shelter, healthcare, and access to basic services. Nearly 6.9 million Ukrainians have fled abroad, while 3.7 million are internally displaced.

Frequent attacks on civilian infrastructure, including power grids, water systems, and healthcare facilities, have worsened the crisis and create a dire need for humanitarian aid. Harsh winters, coupled with energy shortages, continue to endanger millions, particularly the elderly, people with disabilities, and children.

The war in Ukraine has triggered one of the largest displacement crises in Europe since World War II. The war has displaced 6.7 million refugees globally and 3.7 million internally. Most refugees reside in EU states like Poland (993,000), Germany (1.17 million), and Czechia (395,000), while IDPs face prolonged displacement - 83% for over a year. Gender disparities persist, with women and children comprising 77% of EU-hosted refugees, while men face conscription restrictions. Despite some returns, large-scale destruction of infrastructure and ongoing frontline evacuations prevent most from going home.

Ukraine’s healthcare system is under severe pressure, both from the direct effects of war and from the massive increase in humanitarian needs. Dozens of hospitals and clinics have been damaged or destroyed by Russian attacks, including maternity wards and ambulances, which violates international humanitarian law. Access to medical care is especially limited in frontline and occupied areas, where people struggle to find essential medicines or treatment for chronic illnesses. Mental health has become a silent emergency, with rising rates of PTSD, anxiety, and depression — particularly among children, survivors of occupied territories, and veterans. The war has also led to a shortage of healthcare workers, many of whom have fled the country or joined the armed forces.

Children have been among the most vulnerable victims of the conflict. Thousands of schools have been destroyed or heavily damaged, and many that remain operate in makeshift bomb shelters or conduct remote learning under constant threat of attacks. Displacement, trauma, and interrupted schooling have deeply affected Ukrainian children’s emotional and cognitive development. Many have witnessed violence firsthand or lost family members, and the psychological scars may last well into adulthood. The disruption to education and stability means a whole generation risks falling behind, potentially impacting Ukraine’s long-term recovery and human capital.

The war has caused immense damage to Ukraine’s infrastructure, leaving millions without access to stable housing, electricity, or clean water. Entire cities such as Mariupol and Bakhmut have been almost completely destroyed, with residents living in rubble or makeshift shelters. Water and sanitation systems have been targeted or collapsed under strain, leading to limited access in both urban and rural areas. Winter further exacerbates the crisis, as many lack heating or insulation in war-damaged buildings. Additionally, widespread use of landmines and unexploded ordnance poses daily threats to civilians and hinders reconstruction, especially in once-agricultural regions.