The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) coordinates the humanitarian response of 60 Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies across 45 countries to support people affected by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. We focus on urgent needs such as health care, mental health and psychosocial support, shelter, cash assistance, and livelihoods.

Conflicts affect everyone, families, children, and older people, regardless of who they are or where they live. That’s why the Red Cross and Red Crescent is present on all sides of the frontline. We do not take sides; we act based on humanitarian need.

National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies across Europe are helping displaced people rebuild their lives, accessing housing, healthcare, education, and jobs. Globally, the IFRC coordinates funding, strengthens local capacities, and ensures people affected by crises everywhere receive timely, principled humanitarian assistance.

For more general information about how the IFRC supports National Societies during an emergency, visit our supporting local humanitarian action page.

Funds allocated to our response have already made an immense impact on millions of lives, providing life-saving aid such as food, water, shelter, hygiene supplies, health care, mental and emotional support, and emergency cash assistance to people displaced. 

In the long run, we are helping people navigate housing, healthcare and legal systems in new countries and languages, providing critical mental health and psychosocial support as well as helping affected people connect and contribute back into communities they are living in. 

Cash assistance has been one of our main focuses on this response because it has allowed people to decide for themselves, with dignity, what they need most.

We are concerned about being a part of any activity that can impact our perceived neutrality. We are in dialogue with the Russian Red Cross on this matter.

"WeAreTogether" was originally launched in Russia in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic with the main goal to help people impacted, primarily those at particular risk, including single elderly people. The Russian Red Cross joined this initiative by establishing a hotline for psychological assistance around the clock as well as providing medical institutions with the necessary protective equipment.

The Russian Red Cross (RRC) is focused on providing humanitarian support and mental health services to the families of the mobilized and families of the military (especially those with children). We have been assured by the leadership of the Russian Red Cross that it does not intend to participate in, nor contribute to, campaigns that support the military with military equipment. Neither in partnership with "WeAreTogether", nor independently.

Our focus on saving lives means that National Societies – including Russian Red Cross – can interact with military members as well as help civilians, including the families of military members. This includes reestablishing links between lost loved ones; ensuring medical support, transport, and evacuation to wounded soldiers; managing the bodies of those who have died; and helping children whose parents are deployed cope with stress.

Each Red Cross and Red Crescent National Society around the world, including the Russian Red Cross, respond where the needs are greatest in their communities. But to be able to help, we need all parties to respect our independence, neutrality, and impartiality and not to politicize the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Displaced people face tough choices and fewer options. International support for refugees – whether it be financial, in terms of services and/or public solidarity - for refugees is shrinking. Many are returning to places that are still unsafe. Others face barriers to healthcare, jobs, and housing in the countries they fled to. 

The mental toll is staggering and still rising. People are enduring enormous 
stress and uncertainty, whether they are still in their homes, are dealing with the unpredictability of when they will be able to return home or are making life-changing decisions about settling in new countries. 

In countries like Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, the Red Cross has supported hundreds of thousands of people with cash assistance, legal aid and shelter. In Estonia and Latvia, young volunteers are leading peer integration programmes for Ukrainian students. Lithuania is improving healthcare access for people with disabilities, while Montenegro’s cash for education programmes are helping displaced families cover school-related costs.

Trafficking takes advantage of those who are most at risk, including women, children, unaccompanied minors, older adults, people living with disabilities and third-country nationals.

People who are displaced are at a high risk because many have limited access to protection, schooling, income, and other important resources while being constantly on the move.

The IFRC has a multifaceted approach to help keep people on the move safe. This includes setting up spaces to keep children safe and comfortable while being able to play. Red Cross workers also help identify child protection issues and make referrals to appropriate services, as well as reconnecting loved ones who are separated during the conflict. All Red Cross and Red Crescent personnel involved in the response are trained in how to identify potential issues of trafficking and how to refer them to other organizations for additional support.

In Ukraine and surrounding countries, the Red Cross is providing survivors of sexual- and gender-based violence with referrals to organizations dedicated to supporting survivors. This information is available to Red Cross personnel working in the field, as well as to personnel supporting feedback hotlines for those receiving cash programming. Posters for the prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation have also been translated into the relevant language and context of every country, with relevant support phone numbers, and posted to encourage people impacted to seek help.

If the Red Cross identifies a survivor, we will get them a safe referral to an organization that can provide them with dedicated support and would provide them with psychosocial support.

The support provided by the Red Cross is available to anyone who has experienced sexual- and gender-based violence, regardless of the background (nationality, race, religion, etc.) of the survivor or alleged perpetrator. Our response is guided solely by our humanitarian mandate to support the needs of those affected.