The Ukraine crisis explained

Ukraine crisis explained

Learn about the current crisis in Ukraine, who is affected, and key facts.

What is happening in Ukraine?

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine.

The conflict forced more than 14 million people to leave their homes – that’s more than a quarter of Ukraine’s entire population.

More than 5 million people remain displaced within Ukraine and an estimated 5.9 million are now living as refugees across Europe. Older people, people with disabilities and people with a lack of economic resources are the most affected.

This latest escalation in military action comes after eight years of ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine.

ShelterBox is responding to the Ukraine crisis.

Ukrainian woman in blue winter coat holds up solar light — Dina's flat was damaged during an attack. She received a shelter kit to help her rebuild and a solar light (pictured).

5 things you need to know about the Ukraine crisis

1. The Ukraine conflict began in February 2014 when Crimea was annexed from Ukraine. Since then, tensions have risen steadily. The latest escalation in violence began on 24 February 2022.

2. Before the recent escalation in conflict, the UN estimated that 2.9 million people in Ukraine already needed humanitarian assistance. This number has now grown to 17.6 million people. Older people, people with disabilities and people with a lack of economic resources are the most affected.

3. According to the UN Refugee Agency, before the latest increase in violence, nearly 1.5 million people were internally displaced within Ukraine. Half were over the age of 60 – making it one of the ‘oldest’ crises in the world. This number has now grown to 5.1 million.

4. Since 2014, Ukraine has been the target of multiple cyber-attacks, some resulting in devastating power blackouts affecting thousands of people.

5. Winter temperatures fall as low as -15 °C in Ukraine, causing even more challenges for innocent people.

Your questions answered

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How can I help people in Ukraine?

There are several ways you can help people affected by the Ukraine crisis.

1. Read about what’s happening in Ukraine

2. Raise awareness on social media or by talking about the crisis with your friends and family

3. Stand with people fleeing their homes in Ukraine and beyond. Learn about some of the world’s hidden crises and share it with your network.

Read more about how you can support families caught up in the crisis here.

Can I donate clothing and other items to Ukraine?

We’re not accepting the donation of clothing or other items for people affected by the crisis in Ukraine.

All the life-saving tools and equipment we provide are sourced from trusted suppliers and go through rigorous testing to ensure that they can survive in the extreme environments that we work in.

It’s also important that the aid we distribute is standardised. Doing so ensures that families receive aid of the same quality and value.

There are also many import restrictions in place that govern what we can and can’t bring into a country.

Given the scale of the situation in and around Ukraine there are many people that wish to help. There is a real concern that donated items may strain the logistical journey of tried and tested aid items.

Why is Ukraine known as the breadbasket of Europe?

Ukraine is home to some of the richest soils in Europe. It is famous for its fields of wheat, barley, oats, corn and other grains.

In fact, Russia and Ukraine export about a quarter of the world’s wheat and half of its sunflower products.

The conflict is already sending global food prices soaring. This is particularly concerning for some of the countries we’re working in, like Yemen and Syria who are already facing high levels of food insecurity.

How is ShelterBox helping?

ShelterBox has helped more than 37,000 people affected by the war in Ukraine so far. We’ve supported people displaced within Ukraine, as well as refugees who crossed the border into Moldova.

With our attention now firmly on supporting people through the bitter winter months, we’ll be reaching around 30,000 more people with essential items to help them survive.

People are living in damaged homes without heating or lighting. That’s why we’re providing thermal clothing, solar lights, water carriers and stoves with our new partner, NNLPD.

We’re also working with ReliefAid and Green Chernobyl to provide emergency shelter repair kits. This will help people fix damaged roofs, seal windows and doors, keep the heat in and make homes watertight.

A man and a woman receiving aid in Ukraine — Yuriy and his wife are some of the people receiving ShelterBox aid in Ukraine.