Skip to content
CAFOD

After two years since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, at least 6 million people have fled Ukraine to escape the conflict and another 5 million people are internally displaced.

Leaving behind their homes, jobs and loved ones, Ukrainians urgently need shelter, food and water. More than 17 million people, almost half the population, require humanitarian aid.

Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal Image

Life for the people of Ukraine has completely changed. Fighting and indiscriminate bombing has killed families and destroyed houses, schools and hospitals. Millions in displacement centres and damaged homes face temperatures below -20C.

An estimated 1.4 million houses have been damaged by the war, and it is mostly older people and people with disabilities who remain behind in homes with leaking roofs, broken windows and no access to heating.

How is CAFOD responding?

CAFOD is working through local experts in Ukraine and the surrounding countries, helping those whose lives have been destroyed by the conflict to survive.

RS17957_2023_DEC_Odesa_Maciek Musialek_MM4_2692-scr.jpg

Ukraine Appeal update: Two years on since the invasion

Your generous contributions to our Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal helped over 140,000 vulnerable women, men and children access vital aid including food, water, shelter and counselling support.

Thanks to you, our local partners are helping people to rebuild their lives after experiencing trauma, losing loved ones, homes and livelihoods.

Since the first days of the invasion, CAFOD's local partner DePaul has been responding to support those along the hardest-hit frontline areas in eastern and southern Ukraine. They are providing shelter, food, water, generators, blankets, and medical assistance to those most in need.

Depaul Ukraine has supported homeless people in Ukraine since 2007, so we know that winter is a dangerous time. Every year, homeless people die in Ukraine due to hyperthermia and frostbite. This year, there will be significantly more homeless people, as well as people whose homes have been damaged during the war. During the winter months, we will continue delivering food, hygiene and medical supplies. Depaul’s large-scale humanitarian response has transported more than 1000 tonnes of food aid, hygiene items and medical equipment into the country.

Father Vitaliy Novak, CEO of DePaul Ukraine, CAFOD's local partner