Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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January 13, 2026 Humanitarian aid
Amid escalating Russian attacks across Ukraine, the United Nations on Tuesday launched a humanitarian appeal calling for $2.3 billion to help the country's 4.1 million most vulnerable people through 2026.
Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, the UN and its partners have been supporting the affected populations of regularly hit Ukrainian cities, areas near the front lines, and people evacuated to safer areas.
"We are talking about internally displaced persons who have been living in collective centers for two to three years, the elderly, and people with limited mobility," said Matthias Schmale, UN Humanitarian Coordinator in the country, explaining the priorities for 2026.
According to media reports and official Ukrainian government information, in the last week alone, Russian forces launched nearly 1,100 drones, more than 890 guided bombs, and at least 50 missiles of various types—including ballistic and cruise missiles—into Ukraine. In the Lviv region a blow was struck medium-range ballistic missile "Oreshnik".
Speaking at the presentation of the humanitarian plan in Kyiv, Shmale recalled updated data from the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission, according to which 2025 will be the deadliest year for civilians since 2022: more than 2,500 civilians have been killed and over 12,000 injured.
Support on the front lines
In addition to providing food, medical care, shelter, protection and cash support, one of the key objectives of the 2026 Humanitarian Appeal is to facilitate the evacuation of people in immediate danger.
Schmale called the work "heroic," citing the hundreds of UN-supported partner organizations that save lives every day on the front lines.
He explained that the funding is needed to support civil society institutions that help victims – from farmers struggling to survive in the war to cancer patients whose access to medication has been disrupted by attacks on the healthcare system – across the country, primarily within 50 kilometers of the contact line.
“We want to continue to support them at the highest level, but this requires funding,” Shmale emphasized.
"An emergency situation in an emergency situation"
A UN official drew attention to the "enormous suffering of civilians" across Ukraine, especially as temperatures in Kyiv reach drops to minus 15 degrees.
He called the situation "an emergency within an emergency" and noted that, in addition to the humanitarian appeal presented today, Ukraine will likely need additional assistance.
"We appeal first and foremost to the international community, UN member states, and other donors to maintain solidarity with Ukraine and express it in the form of financial support for the work we plan to continue," said Shmale.
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