As conflict enters fifth year, humanitarian needs in Ukraine intensify amid deepening energy crisis and funding shortfall
Kyiv/Budapest/Geneva, 23 February – As Ukraine enters the fifth year of the escalation of the international armed conflict, millions are enduring a bitterly cold winter marked by damaged energy infrastructure, rolling blackouts and growing economic and psychological hardship. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is calling for an increase in international support to meet growing humanitarian needs.In exceptionally cold temperatures, the destruction of energy systems has left countless families without reliable heating and electricity. The energy crisis is leaving people unable to cook, heat their homes, use elevators, access healthcare or even call for help during the blackouts. For older people, people with disabilities and those with chronic illness, these disruptions are life-threatening.“Life for many people in Ukraine is the hardest it has ever been,” said Birgitte Bischoff Ebbesen, IFRC Regional Director for Europe. “The energy crisis is a humanitarian crisis, affecting every part of people’s lives, in particular their health and mental health.”Cold homes are putting people at high risk of hypothermia, frostbites, and respiratory illnesses. Long hours spent in the dark, combined with uncertainty and isolation, continue to take a heavy toll on people’s psychological wellbeing. Access to mental health and psychosocial support remains limited, particularly in frontline and rural areas.The Ukrainian Red Cross, supported by the IFRC and its network of partners, continues to respond across the country - from providing emergency assistance at sites of attacks to supporting heating and electricity access, health and social services, mental health and psychosocial support, winter needs, home repairs and livelihoods recovery.However, funding is failing to meet the sheer scale of people’s needs. The IFRC’s Emergency Appeal for Ukraine and impacted countries for 2026-27 has a funding gap of more than 260 million Swiss francs – limiting support at a crucial time of skyrocketing humanitarian needs.“We are seeing that the decline in international funding is already having consequences for people affected by the conflict – delayed repairs of homes and infrastructure, lack of access to basic services, social benefits and medical care. We need urgent investment to avoid an even more severe humanitarian crisis,” added Brigitte Ebbesen.Notes for editorsIFRC network impact in the last four years:60 Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies globally have been responding to the needs of people from Ukraine in 45 countries.Over 133,000 volunteers from 7,100 branches have directly supported people from Ukraine.More than 257 million CHF has been distributed as cash and voucher assistance to 1.87 million people.2.4 billion CHF has been mobilized across the IFRC network through the support and solidarity of the public, governments and corporate partners.The IFRC has revised its Ukraine and Impacted Countries Emergency Appeal to adapt to the changing context four years after the escalation of the international armed conflict. It has a funding requirement of 300 million Swiss francs for 2026-27 to sustain essential services, support recovery and infrastructure restoration, and assist displaced and affected people across the region under all foreseeable scenarios.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] In Kyiv: Mariia Ieromenko, +38 075 318 84 12 Scott Craig, +41 76 370 3575In Budapest: Nora Peter, +36 70 265 4020In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367