Escalating military conflict could cause 100,000 displaced ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌





   
URGENT UPDATE:
A humanitarian catastrophe looms in Ukraine.


Dear friend,

I’m writing to you today deeply concerned that a humanitarian catastrophe in Ukraine and the region is now unfolding, threatening lives and livelihoods. We see risks of food shortages and huge numbers of women, men, and children forced to flee from their homes. The destruction of infrastructure like hospitals and health services could lead to a rapid spread of diseases, including COVID‑19.

Mercy Corps provided humanitarian assistance in Ukraine following the 2014 conflict, helping over 200,000 people with emergency cash, food, water, and sanitation supplies. We helped restore war-damaged homes, and provided small business grants and training to help people rebuild their lives and support themselves and their families.

Right now, Mercy Corps is mobilizing a team to the region to assess the situation, and stands ready if our humanitarian response is needed. Here’s what we know:
    2.9 million Ukrainians were already in need of urgent humanitarian assistance prior to the current escalation of conflict, and at least 1.5 million are displaced within their country.
 
    As the conflict expands across Ukraine, we anticipate a large-scale humanitarian crisis for the country, beyond the scope of aid operations currently there.
 
    We’re particularly concerned about the elderly, who make up one-third of people in need of assistance, and people with disabilities. We’ve seen these populations at risk in other areas of conflict around the world.
 
    The current conflict has already initiated large-scale displacement, and could lead to the displacement of millions of civilians who will need basic services and support after fleeing for safety within Ukraine and to neighboring countries.
As a supporter of Mercy Corps’ work around the world, we will keep you informed on this rapidly changing situation, and let you know if there are ways you can help. Mercy Corps has more than 40 years of experience responding in moments of crisis, and staying long after the headlines fade, connecting communities with solutions that go beyond emergency aid, and make lasting change possible.

Together with our teams across the globe, you are part of what powers our humanitarian response. In times of crisis and uncertainty, compassionate people help us respond quickly when the unexpected — or unthinkable — happens. As the crisis in Ukraine escalates by the hour, every effort must be made to minimize a humanitarian catastrophe and protect those most at risk.

Thank you for your support.

Craig Redmond
Senior Vice President of Programs, Mercy Corps