Urgent Funding Cuts Affect Refugee Programs in Ukraine
26 April 2025 10:01
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has announced the suspension of several support programs for newly arrived Ukrainian refugees due to critical funding shortages, particularly from the United States.
Source: UNHCR press release
Details: On April 25, UNHCR confirmed reductions in assistance for newly arrived refugees in Ukraine due to a decrease in funding from the United States, which previously accounted for 40% of the organization's budget. As a result, the UN was forced to limit a number of vital humanitarian programs.
“Some of the programs we previously implemented with generous US support are being suspended,” stated UNHCR representative in Ukraine, Karolina Lindholm Billing.
Among the largest losses are psychological and social support programs, materials for emergency housing construction, and cash assistance. The agency also noted that other Western donors have reduced their funding as they shifted focus to increased defense spending.
Consequently, the agency reported that its appeal for $3.32 billion to support 8.2 million people in Ukraine was funded at only 25%.
“We have had to reduce the number of people we prioritize for aid. We urge donors to provide the necessary funding so that we can continue to assist those who need it most,” added Billing.
Quote: “Since January, over 3,500 individuals have passed through the transit center in Pavlohrad. Last month, over 4,200 evacuees arrived at the transit center in Sumy, where UNHCR and our partners provide humanitarian support to newly arrived refugees. These figures are just a portion of the total number of new arrivals. More than 200,000 people have left their homes from August 2024 to early 2025.”