Photos by Angela Hill / Canadian Red Cross
The below figures reflect updates to the Red Cross response to the conflict in Ukraine as of December 31, 2024.
Sixty Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies and more than 186,000 trained volunteers have been actively responding to the needs of people from Ukraine in 45 countries. It is one of the largest humanitarian responses in history and for many, life continues to be defined by uncertainty, financial hardship, and limited access to basic services.
Since the escalation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine in February 2022, millions of people have fled Ukraine, and millions more have been internally displaced. Red Cross teams on the ground in Ukraine, in surrounding countries, and other countries impacted by the crisis continue to provide humanitarian assistance to those impacted.
“A lot of the population that we’re working with has not been displaced for the first time,” said Jaime Wah, a Canadian managing programs and operations in Ukraine with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). “Not only have they been displaced multiple times, but they’ve also lost homes, livelihood, family members, and need to rebuild again and again.”
“We’ve had the opportunity to work with incredible staff and volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross,” said Celine McGarvey, Senior Regional Manager, Europe, International Operations at the Canadian Red Cross who provides ongoing support to the response and was recently in Ukraine. “They are working around the clock, evenings and weekends to support people in need due to the armed conflict.”
Nadiia Zmurko (left) and Red Cross social helper Olena Sykotyuk (right).
Olena Sykotyuk is a social helper with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society who visits 87-year-old Nadiia Zmurko twice a week.
Olena supports Nadiia with light cleaning, grocery shopping, and accompanying her to medical checkups. Most of all, she’s a listening ear and companion to Nadiia.
Nadiia has been receiving regular home-based care from the Ukrainian Red Cross, with support from the Canadian Red Cross. “When we received her, you know it has become easier to live,” said Nadiia. “It has become easier to live and the organization is supporting you from all sides.”
“The volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross, they live in the communities where they are serving, and so all of the challenges that the communities are facing every day the volunteers are also facing those same challenges,” said Celine. “But they still get up every day, they put on their Red Cross vest, and they are there to help people in need."
In Cherkasy Oblast, trained volunteers are providing psychosocial support through creative activities and games to adults and children. Activities are aimed at reducing stress and increasing the resilience of communities.
“One of the areas I am particularly impressed with is seeing all of the professionalism and expertise Ukrainian Red Cross has in the area of mental health and psychosocial support," said Celine. “They are able to offer specialized sessions for people living with disabilities, to older adults, to children, and this is really helping people in some of the most difficult days.”
To improve living conditions and ensure people in Ukraine have access to electricity and heating, the Canadian Red Cross is supporting the Ukrainian Red Cross Society in the renovation and rehabilitation of several infrastructures, including health and education facilities.
This support has included the procurement of generators, power banks, fuel, stoves, and sometimes includes providing assistance and expertise to repair heating and plumbing systems.
Zhanna Skcola (left) and Svitlana Kovryzhko (right).
With financial assistance from the Canadian Red Cross, the Ukrainian Red Cross Society has also been providing grants to households whose homes have been damaged due to the conflict.
Zhanna Skcola and Svitlana Kovryzhko are two friends who received this grant and were able to repair the windows and walls in their apartment that was damaged in a nearby explosion. “If we wouldn’t have received support, it would have been put on our shoulders, we would need to take loans from a bank because it’s not a small amount to replace the windows and to do the renovation,” said Zhanna.
Mykhailo Bozhynskyi has his blood pressure taken by one of the nurses of the Ukrainian Red Cross Mobile Health Unit that visit community centres across Poltava Oblast.
As of December 31, 2024, the Canadian Red Cross has funded more than 86,800 primary healthcare consultations through 11 Mobile Health Units travelling across the Cherkasy and Poltava Oblasts in central Ukraine.
Donate to the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal to make a difference today. Visit our Ukraine page to find latest information on the response.
The below figures reflect updates to the Red Cross response to the conflict in Ukraine as of December 31, 2024.
Sixty Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies and more than 186,000 trained volunteers have been actively responding to the needs of people from Ukraine in 45 countries. It is one of the largest humanitarian responses in history and for many, life continues to be defined by uncertainty, financial hardship, and limited access to basic services.
Since the escalation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine in February 2022, millions of people have fled Ukraine, and millions more have been internally displaced. Red Cross teams on the ground in Ukraine, in surrounding countries, and other countries impacted by the crisis continue to provide humanitarian assistance to those impacted.
“A lot of the population that we’re working with has not been displaced for the first time,” said Jaime Wah, a Canadian managing programs and operations in Ukraine with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). “Not only have they been displaced multiple times, but they’ve also lost homes, livelihood, family members, and need to rebuild again and again.”
How the Canadian Red Cross Provides Humanitarian Support in Ukraine
Since February 2022, the Canadian Red Cross has actively been addressing humanitarian needs in Ukraine and continues to support the work of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society and Red Cross Red Crescent Movement partners in the region.“We’ve had the opportunity to work with incredible staff and volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross,” said Celine McGarvey, Senior Regional Manager, Europe, International Operations at the Canadian Red Cross who provides ongoing support to the response and was recently in Ukraine. “They are working around the clock, evenings and weekends to support people in need due to the armed conflict.”
Red Cross Social Helpers Providing Home-Based Care Services
Red Cross social helpers provide home-based care to older adults and people living with disabilities or chronic illnesses. They help people with everyday tasks, including personal hygiene, accompaniment to medical visits, and other household responsibilities. Nadiia Zmurko (left) and Red Cross social helper Olena Sykotyuk (right).
Olena Sykotyuk is a social helper with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society who visits 87-year-old Nadiia Zmurko twice a week.
Olena supports Nadiia with light cleaning, grocery shopping, and accompanying her to medical checkups. Most of all, she’s a listening ear and companion to Nadiia.
Nadiia has been receiving regular home-based care from the Ukrainian Red Cross, with support from the Canadian Red Cross. “When we received her, you know it has become easier to live,” said Nadiia. “It has become easier to live and the organization is supporting you from all sides.”
“The volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross, they live in the communities where they are serving, and so all of the challenges that the communities are facing every day the volunteers are also facing those same challenges,” said Celine. “But they still get up every day, they put on their Red Cross vest, and they are there to help people in need."
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support
At the Lviv Clinical Hospital of Emergency and Intensive Care, more than 20,800 therapy sessions have been provided to more than 5,000 people who have experienced traumatic events. The Canadian Red Cross continues to fund the salaries of 15 full-time psychotherapist positions at the hospital to help meet the ever-increasing mental health needs of those impacted by the conflict.In Cherkasy Oblast, trained volunteers are providing psychosocial support through creative activities and games to adults and children. Activities are aimed at reducing stress and increasing the resilience of communities.
“One of the areas I am particularly impressed with is seeing all of the professionalism and expertise Ukrainian Red Cross has in the area of mental health and psychosocial support," said Celine. “They are able to offer specialized sessions for people living with disabilities, to older adults, to children, and this is really helping people in some of the most difficult days.”
Winterization and Infrastructure Repair
Widespread electricity shortages in Ukraine make winterization efforts crucial. Access to electricity and heating has been a challenge, with electrical infrastructure and water systems being damaged due to the conflict.To improve living conditions and ensure people in Ukraine have access to electricity and heating, the Canadian Red Cross is supporting the Ukrainian Red Cross Society in the renovation and rehabilitation of several infrastructures, including health and education facilities.
This support has included the procurement of generators, power banks, fuel, stoves, and sometimes includes providing assistance and expertise to repair heating and plumbing systems.
Zhanna Skcola (left) and Svitlana Kovryzhko (right).
With financial assistance from the Canadian Red Cross, the Ukrainian Red Cross Society has also been providing grants to households whose homes have been damaged due to the conflict.
Zhanna Skcola and Svitlana Kovryzhko are two friends who received this grant and were able to repair the windows and walls in their apartment that was damaged in a nearby explosion. “If we wouldn’t have received support, it would have been put on our shoulders, we would need to take loans from a bank because it’s not a small amount to replace the windows and to do the renovation,” said Zhanna.
Mobile Health Units in Remote Communities in Ukraine
Mobile health units are staffed by Ukrainian Red Cross doctors, nurses, and personnel from the Ukrainian Red Cross Society. These units travel to remote locations to provide health assessments, medication, treatment for minor injuries, and referrals for additional care. Their visits are especially crucial for older adults, people living with disabilities or chronic illnesses who may have limited mobility and need regular care.Mykhailo Bozhynskyi has his blood pressure taken by one of the nurses of the Ukrainian Red Cross Mobile Health Unit that visit community centres across Poltava Oblast.
As of December 31, 2024, the Canadian Red Cross has funded more than 86,800 primary healthcare consultations through 11 Mobile Health Units travelling across the Cherkasy and Poltava Oblasts in central Ukraine.
How You Can Help Those Impacted in Ukraine
The Canadian Red Cross continues to work with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society and other Red Cross Red Crescent Movement partners to support those who have been impacted by the conflict.Donate to the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal to make a difference today. Visit our Ukraine page to find latest information on the response.
