Today, the United Nations in Ukraine released its Human Impact Assessment (HIA), which provides in-depth insights into the impacts of Russia’s invasion on living circumstances, health, access to education, livelihoods, food security, social inclusion, and gender equality.
The HIA was conducted by the United Nations in Ukraine. In response to a request from the Office of the President and the Government of Ukraine, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) coordinated a joint project that received contributions from twelve other UN agencies.
According to Yulia Sokolovska, who is Deputy Head of Office of President of Ukraine, the Assessment marks a crucial milestone in terms of comprehending the genuine emotional and financial toll that the conflict in Ukraine has taken. “The Human Impact Assessment provides crucial insights into the resilience of our people, as well as the areas where we need to focus our recovery efforts,” he stated. “The Human Impact Assessment” (HIA) is a tool that was developed by the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). “We are committed to ensuring that the needs of our most vulnerable citizens are not just recognized but also met,” the statement read, “We understand the depth of our responsibility, and we are aware of the breadth of our responsibility.”
“The data in this Assessment underscores the stark impacts of the Russian invasion, particularly on Ukraine’s most vulnerable people,” said Denise Brown, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine. As we work with the government, communities, and civil society in Ukraine to accomplish what is necessary as they navigate their way to recovery, its recommendations will also assist in guiding the entire United Nations system.
According to the findings of the Assessment, although living conditions and access to fundamental services normalized in the months following the beginning of the conflict, living conditions took a step backwards in the winter of 2022/2023 as a result of widespread disruptions in utility service across the country. Both health and education were negatively impacted, as evidenced by the fact that 22 per cent of households spent more than a quarter of their monthly income on medical treatment, and 11 per cent of young people reported having insufficient access to quality educational opportunities.
Other essential discoveries include:
Survival: It is anticipated that the unemployment rate will reach 18.3% by the year 2023; 65 per cent of households have reported a loss in income since February 2022; and the share of families for whose paid labour accounts for their principal source of income has decreased from 67 per cent to 53 per cent.
Equality between the sexes: 3.6 million individuals are at risk of gender-based violence; 55% of women report feeling unsafe in their day-to-day lives; 23% of women report spending 50+ hours each week on household duties.
Food Insecurity: Forty-four per cent of households are unable to afford necessary necessities, which drives food insecurity; the proportion of homes with inadequate food consumption grew to one-third; and forty-three per cent of households reported restricting portions, borrowing food, and/or eating cheaper items in order to make ends meet.
IDPs, people with disabilities, and older people saw the lowest income levels. IDP groups and Roma populations encounter discrimination when looking for employment or lodging. 45% of the population belongs to at least one vulnerable category.
The Humanitarian Impact Assessment comes to a close with several significant recommendations addressed to the Ukrainian government, as well as to international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), donors, and international financial institutions (IFIs).
These include providing assistance to homes and communities in the process of resource rebuilding, assisting households and communities in increasing their access to social protection systems and executing recovery activities with a focus on the shifting needs of impacted populations. Additionally, providing assistance to the government in its efforts to preserve the rights of all groups affected by the war is one of these.
In addition, it encourages the formation of policies with the goals of recovering agricultural production, investing in education and skills training, prioritizing livelihood interventions reflecting Ukraine’s economic and demographic shifts, and developing inclusive communities both during and after the conflict.
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