The IFRC is helping to coordinate emergency response in Ukraine and other countries impacted by the conflict, in collaboration with local Red Cross and Red Crescent teams.

We are appealing for 550 million Swiss francs to support National Societies to assist more than 12.6 million people in need inside and outside Ukraine. People have fled, leaving everything behind – most of them are women, children, older people, and people with disabilities. Many are in limbo, trying to figure out their next move—starting over in a new place or returning to uncertainty or possibly danger.

We continue to increase capacity building of Red Cross Red Crescent teams in Ukraine and impacted countries to bolster locally led humanitarian action.

Through our country delegation in Ukraine and our Regional Office for Europe, the IFRC is providing emergency surge support in a number of technical areas with hundreds of rapid deployments of international expertise.

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

Funds allocated to the Ukraine 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.

We are at a point where we are also moving to support people in the longer term.

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

Our goal is to provide support for those who are most at-risk and most in need as quickly as possible.

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.

Health systems are buckling under the pressure and many people affected by the crisis require long term mental health support. Critical medical supplies are becoming increasingly scarce. Limited healthcare capacity coupled with a lack of safe drinking water in some areas is increasing the risk of disease outbreaks. Health systems in neighbouring countries are also struggling with the increased numbers of people.

The IFRC network is providing critical healthcare services and supplies. This includes running medical stations at the border, mobile health teams in Ukraine and first aid posts across several surrounding countries. It is essential that those impacted also receive early and consistent mental health support.

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 displaced during the crisis 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 Red Cross 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.