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Humanitarian crisis in Ukraine – Red Cross response in Europe and Canada

Two Red Cross volunteers packing supplies

Latest Reports:

Humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and surrounding countries
​People arriving in Canada from Ukraine

Humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and surrounding countries

The escalation of the international armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine over the past three years has had widespread and devastating humanitarian impacts. Millions have fled the country and millions more are internally displaced. Red Cross teams on the ground in Ukraine and surrounding countries are continuing to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to those impacted.

Across the region, this invaluable support includes food, clean water, hygiene kits, emergency cash assistance, language classes, health care, including psychosocial support, shelter and winterization items.

How the Canadian Red Cross is helping in Ukraine and surrounding countries

Thanks to the generosity of people living in Canada and the Government of Canada who contributed to the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal, the Canadian Red Cross remains committed to delivering humanitarian assistance to people who are in Ukraine and those displaced in nearby countries.
 

Canadian Red Cross response as of December 31, 2024.

  • Deployed 61 highly trained humanitarian experts to support the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement response, in a range of sectors.
  • Provided more than 422,000 emergency relief items such as blankets, tarps and cooking supplies to Ukraine and neighbouring countries, thanks to donations and support from the Government of Canada.
  • Provided funding for more than 86,800 primary healthcare consultations through 11 Mobile Health Units during more than 4,700 community visits in the Cherkasy and Poltava Oblasts in Ukraine. The teams are providing health assessments, medication, treatment for minor injuries, and referrals for additional care to people, including those who have been displaced in areas where access to health care has been impacted.
  • Supported the recruitment of 92 social helpers who have been providing Home-Based Care to 519 people, including older adults and people living with chronic illnesses or disabilities in the Cherkasy and Poltava Oblasts.
  • Funded the salaries of 15 full-time psychotherapist positions at the Lviv Clinical Hospital of Emergency and Intensive Care. Since October 2022, the team has provided more than 20,800 therapy sessions to more than 5,000 patients who have experienced traumatic events, and 79 people have benefitted from psychological sessions for domestic and sexual abuse. The integration of mental health into a regular hospital setting is the first of its kind in Ukraine. 
  • Delivered training for 245 nurses since April 2024 in the newly opened Training Hub at the St. Panteleimon Hospital in Lviv, in collaboration with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society.
  • Provided funding and expertise for the renovation or rehabilitation of 46 social infrastructures, including 36 collective centres and 10 health and social care facilities, to improve the living conditions of people who have been internally displaced to the Cherkasy, Poltava, and Vinnytsia Oblasts.
  • Supported trained Ukrainian Red Cross volunteers delivering more than 4,300 psychosocial activities aimed at reducing stress and increasing the resilience of communities in the Cherkasy Oblast.
  • Provided building materials and financial assistance to help 47 households carry out urgent repairs on their homes that had been damaged as a result of attacks.

Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement collective response, with support from the Canadian Red Cross as of December 2024

ICRC figures as of December 31, 2023 and IFRC figures as of December 31, 2024.

Response in Ukraine, surrounding countries and other countries impacted by the crisis:

  • Over CHF 462 million ($716 million CAD) in financial assistance has been distributed to support with basic needs, rent and utilities, health, and education.
  • More than 1.4 million people were reached with primary health services and/or referred to public health institutions.
  • More than 1.9 million people have received mental health and psychosocial support.
  • More than 10,800 families received news on the fate or whereabouts of their loved ones.
  • More than 412,000 people have benefited from protection, gender and inclusion activities.
  • 60 Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies and more than 186,000 trained volunteers are actively responding in 45 countries to meet the needs of the millions of people impacted by the conflict.

Response in Ukraine

  • 15.2 million people benefited from improved access to water and more than 1.6 million people to adequate heating in various regions across Ukraine.
  • More than 693,000 people gained access to improved or rehabilitated medical services, and
  • More than 1 million people were reached with mental health support.
  • Over 446,000 people were assisted with transportation or voluntary evacuation.
  • More than 406,000 people were evacuated during safe-passage operations.
  • More than 740,000 people benefited from improved living conditions through assistance to centres for people who are internally displaced or with cash assistance for people who are internally displaced and families hosting them.
  • 397 health facilities were supported with medical equipment, tools and medication.
  • More than 7.5 million people were reached with food assistance and more than 7 million were reached with hygiene supplies.
  • More than 17.6 million people have received emergency relief items, including food, water, blankets and help accessing basic services, some living with specific needs.

See our responses to frequently asked questions about the Red Cross response to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

How people living in Canada can help people impacted by the conflict in Ukraine and surrounding countries

The easiest way to support the work of the Canadian Red Cross is to donate online, give us a call at 1-800-418-1111. Making a financial donation is always the best way to support our humanitarian efforts on the ground.
 
The Canadian Red Cross is currently raising funds to support our work on the international response to the conflict in Ukraine.

Organize a fundraiser
If your community group or organization wants to host a fundraiser to help us continue to do our work, our Red Cross fundraising specialists can help support your vision. To create a community fundraiser for the Canadian Red Cross, you can complete our online form to get started today.


How are donations to the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal donations used?

Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal

Thanks to the generosity of people living in Canada and the Government of Canada who have contributed to the Canadian Red Cross’ Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal, as of December 31, 2024 more than $193.2 million CAD has been spent or committed to the Red Cross Red Crescent response in support of people who have been displaced inside or outside of Ukraine, and those who remain in the areas of conflict. 

This includes supporting basic needs with emergency supplies such as food, hygiene kits, blankets and heating stations to help keep people warm; emergency cash to help people in the most vulnerable situations afford rent, utilities, clothing, healthcare, and education; mental health support, such as counseling and stress relief workshops, to help people enduring the emotional toll of the conflict; and ways to help people who are displaced to find jobs, connect better with communities, and become self-sustainable, such as language classes, community groups, child-friendly spaces and vocational training.

Latest Reports: 
Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal Update, as of December 31, 2024
Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal Update, as of December 31, 2023


DONOR UPDATE – DECEMBER, 2024


DONOR UPDATE – DECEMBER, 2023
A Red Cross employee helping a woman getting into a car in Ukraine

DONOR UPDATE – FEBRUARY 2023


DONOR UPDATE – DECEMBER, 2022


DONOR UPDATE – JULY, 2022


DONOR UPDATE – APRIL, 2022 

 

What is International Humanitarian Law?

International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is a set of wartime rules that protect people who are not (or are no longer) participating in hostilities, including the civilian population, combatants who are no longer fighting because they are wounded, humanitarian workers, medical personnel, and prisoners of war. IHL also restricts the means and methods of war. Its purpose is to limit and prevent human suffering in times of armed conflict. Learn more about International Humanitarian Law.

As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a neutral and impartial humanitarian actor mandated to speak with all parties who make and influence decisions impacting the victims of armed conflict, and our ability to reach them. Our neutrality and the space to discuss humanitarian issues directly with the parties allows us to move aid across frontlines, facilitate safe passages of civilians, and carry out other vital humanitarian activities.
 

Resources:

People arriving in Canada from Ukraine

The people arriving in Canada from Ukraine were forced to leave everything behind, only bringing whatever they could carry. People in vulnerable situations, including women, children, people living with disabilities and the elderly, are among the most impacted. The Red Cross has extensive experience in welcoming new arrivals to Canada, having played an instrumental role in providing support to Syrian refugees in 2016 and Haitian asylum seekers in 2017.

How the Canadian Red Cross is helping people arriving in Canada from Ukraine

To support people arriving from Ukraine, the Canadian Red Cross is operating an interim lodging site and providing various support services to those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine following their arrival at Toronto Pearson International Airport. This assistance is being provided on behalf of and through referrals from government partners.

At the request of government authorities, the Red Cross provided support services to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine who:
  • Arrived at Vancouver International Airport until June 30, 2022. These support services have now been transitioned to social services agency S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
  • Arrived at Edmonton International Airport until June 30, 2022.
  • Arrived at Toronto International Airport until December 15, 2022. These support services have now been transitioned to social services agency Canadian Ukrainian Immigrant Aid Society (CUIAS).
  • Were staying at temporary accommodations following their arrival at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport on May 29, Halifax Stanfield International Airport on June 2, and to people who arrived at the Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport on June 7.

Ukraine Humanitarian Support in Canada Appeal

The Ukraine Humanitarian Support in Canada Appeal is now closed. Donations to this appeal have enabled the Canadian Red Cross to respond to humanitarian needs in Canada as they arose for people displaced due to the conflict in Ukraine. Our work helps to bridge the gaps in social services and support affected individuals and families as they transition to life in Canada. Services include immediate and ongoing basic needs, referral services, financial support, psychosocial support, granting to community organizations, and services to help people displaced connect with their loved ones, among other critical activities.

Helpful Links