During a statement on behalf of Secretary-General António Guterres, UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner emphasized that the United Nations and its partners are actively providing “essential humanitarian assistance” targeted at communities on the frontlines. However, he expressed “increasing concern regarding the decline in humanitarian funding amidst the substantial needs.” As Russia intensifies its military actions, infrastructure—including homes, hospitals, energy, and water systems—continues to be severely impacted, with Mr. Steiner asserting that “support is needed now more than ever.”
Currently, there are 24 UN entities and approximately 3,000 personnel collaborating with state and local authorities to address immediate demands while also “laying the groundwork for recovery, reconstruction, and development.”
Investment Initiatives
To date, the UN has allocated $1.1 billion for recovery and development initiatives through the end of 2023, with an additional $1 billion anticipated by year’s end. These investments are concentrated in four primary areas overseen by the UN Resident Coordinator, which include support for businesses and entrepreneurs, human development investments, a focus on “a comprehensive model of recovery planning,” and ongoing responses to government requests for technical assistance.
The UNDP chief reiterated that a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace—rooted in the principles of the UN Charter and international law—remains the only viable long-term solution to the conflict.
Emphasizing the Importance of Education
Regina De Dominicis, Regional Director for UNICEF, remarked during a conference statement that the country’s recovery hinges on providing education for children free from the impacts of war. “The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is devastating the nation’s most valuable asset—its people. Without increased investment and sustained funding, children and young adults will miss out on essential educational and training opportunities, which are vital for the recovery of families and communities,” she stated.
Prior to Russia’s invasion in February 2022, COVID-19 had already disrupted educational systems. Currently, around four million Ukrainian children have experienced interruptions in their education, with about 600,000 unable to attend school in person. “Latest data from 2022 reveal that Ukrainian children are approximately two years behind in reading, one year behind in mathematics, and six months behind in science. The ongoing hostilities have further exacerbated this educational gap,” the UNICEF representative reported.
Initiatives for a ‘Green Recovery’
On Wednesday, the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), along with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), announced the establishment of a Platform for Action on the Green Recovery of Ukraine. This initiative aims to support the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy in alignment with international standards under UN oversight.
This announcement precedes another high-level conference on Ukraine scheduled to take place in Switzerland over the upcoming weekend. Approximately 90 countries and organizations are expected to participate in the Burgenstock conference, with Russian representatives anticipated to engage in discussions regarding sustainable peace at a later date, according to Swiss authorities.
In the meantime, UN agencies and partners continue to assist local authorities in evacuating thousands from frontline villages in the northeastern region of the country. According to an update from the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, issued on Tuesday, most evacuees were already “extremely vulnerable” and unable to flee independently before this point. The evacuees primarily consisted of older individuals and those with limited mobility or disabilities, many of whom left their homes with only a few personal items.
Kharkiv Under Siege
In the nearby city of Kharkiv, over 10% of residents have lost their homes due to renewed Russian shelling. The UNECE provided an update on the significant reconstruction needs in this northeastern Ukrainian city, indicating that out of approximately 1.3 million residents, around 150,000 are currently without housing. Local authorities reported that since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, nearly 9,000 houses have been destroyed, along with 110 nurseries and half of the city’s schools. Furthermore, all transformer substations in the power grid, 88 medical facilities, and 185 other public buildings in Kharkiv have also been rendered inoperable, as reported by UNECE.
