The U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) emphasized the critical need for ongoing financial support from the United States to address the refugee crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, now marking its second anniversary.
UNHCR has requested nearly $1 billion to respond effectively to the crisis, primarily aimed at repairing homes and providing aid to facilitate the return of displaced individuals. However, only a small fraction of this amount has been funded so far, posing significant challenges to the agency’s efforts.
Philippe Leclerc, UNHCR Regional Director for Europe, underscored the pivotal role of the United States as the agency’s primary global funder. He expressed hope that additional budget allocations, including aid earmarked for Ukraine, would contribute to supporting refugees in dire need.
Despite contributions from other major donors like the European Union, Germany, and Japan, sustained U.S. funding remains crucial for UNHCR’s operations in Ukraine and beyond.
The conflict has resulted in the displacement of approximately 6.3 million Ukrainians, with millions more internally displaced within the country. Amid the ongoing crisis, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is striving to locate over 23,000 missing individuals, including both Ukrainians and Russians.
Despite many refugees expressing a desire to return home, continued missile attacks and economic instability pose significant barriers to their safe repatriation, emphasizing the urgent need for sustained international support.
