After enduring the harshest winter in a decade, millions of displaced Ukrainians face a growing crisis marked by deprivation and ongoing attacks, while prospects for peace remain distant, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said in a press release, BTA reports.
In Ukraine, repeated attacks on housing and energy infrastructure and basic services during the winter have left millions of people without heating or electricity for long periods. Although temperatures are slowly rising, the damage remains. Estimates of the situation indicate that by 2026, 10.8 million people in the country will need humanitarian assistance, and 3.7 million will be internally displaced.
Meanwhile, 5.9 million Ukrainians remain refugees abroad. Across Europe, host countries have provided protection and opportunities on an unprecedented scale, giving refugees access to education, healthcare and work. This has helped millions regain stability and contribute to their host communities.
However, as the war continues, more is needed to support those affected by the refugee crisis, the end of which is unclear. In addition to temporary protection, countries should explore options for alternative measures for longer stays. They can bring stability, especially for the most vulnerable, for whom return may not be possible immediately, even after the end of the war.
The evidence shows that meaningful inclusion pays off, and refugees significantly boost the economies of host countries. In Poland, an analysis by UNHCR and the UK-based multinational Deloitte found that the net impact of Ukrainian refugees amounts to 2.7% of Polish GDP in 2024. With expanded language training and wider recognition of qualifications, access to decent jobs and self-reliance could improve for refugees across the region.
In Ukraine, communities continue to repair homes, restore services and rebuild livelihoods with the support of UNHCR and partner NGOs. But after four years of war, there is a limit to resilience. Sustained humanitarian assistance remains essential, along with increased reconstruction support, to prevent further displacement and ensure safe conditions for return.
Where conditions allow, gradual and voluntary returns will be crucial for Ukraine’s recovery. UNHCR is working with the Government and partners to restore people’s documents, support the reconstruction of social infrastructure and repair homes damaged by the war. UNHCR is also working with partners to analyze refugees’ intentions, forecast return movements and support planning for Ukraine’s recovery.
Since the start of the full-scale war, UNHCR and its partners have supported 10 million people with emergency assistance, protection services and psychosocial support. The agency plans to reach another 2 million people in Ukraine in 2026, subject to sufficient funding. Across the region, UNHCR and its partners are supporting 1.7 million refugees and the countries hosting them, with a focus on inclusion and self-reliance.
Winter is over, but the humanitarian crisis is not. We must support the people of Ukraine with humanitarian assistance and reconstruction at home, as well as with safety and self-reliance abroad, the press release added.