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In the two years since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, more than 14 million people have been displaced. This is almost a third of the country’s population. This was reported by the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM).
It is noted that about 3.7 million people are displaced within Ukraine, and almost 6.5 million are refugees abroad. More than 4.5 million have returned home from abroad or from places of displacement within the country.
In 2024, more than 14.6 million people – 40% of the total population of Ukraine – will need some form of humanitarian assistance, while 2.2 million Ukrainian refugees will need assistance in neighbouring countries, the IOM report says.
The organization noted that during the two years of full-scale war, IOM has supported 6.5 million people in Ukraine and 11 neighbouring countries, providing critical and life-saving assistance to those most in need. In the first two years of the response, $957 million of the planned $1.5 billion was raised. However, as the war enters a protracted phase, needs are growing and outstripping available resources.
“The destruction is everywhere, the loss of life and suffering continues. In this situation, IOM has a constant presence in Ukraine and neighbouring countries, providing support to the huge number of people fleeing their homes. However, the needs are enormous and much more needs to be done,” said IOM Director-General Amy Pope.
According to her, IOM is counting on increased support from donors and local partners to meet the challenges of providing a better life for Ukrainians.
In a statement on Thursday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk stressed that Russia’s full-scale armed attack on Ukraine, which is about to enter its third year, continues to cause serious and widespread human rights violations, destroying lives and livelihoods.
In its latest report, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine confirmed 10,582 civilian deaths and 19,875 injuries since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022. The Mission believes that the actual numbers are likely to be much higher.
Over the past two years, the UN Human Rights Office “has documented widespread torture, ill-treatment and arbitrary detention of civilians by Russian armed forces. Cases of summary executions, enforced disappearances and suppression of the right to freedom of expression and assembly have also been documented in the occupied territory.”
“The long-term impact of this war in Ukraine will be felt for generations,” Turk added.
He called on the Russian Federation to immediately cease its armed attack on Ukraine in accordance with its obligations under international law and the UN Charter and stressed the urgency of achieving a just peace.
The High Commissioner also called for a thorough and independent investigation into all violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, as well as accountability and reparation for victims.
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