Dear John,

It’s been over a week since the escalation of military action in Ukraine and the large-scale exodus unfolded. We have now reached yet another heart-breaking milestone.

“Today the outflow of refugees from Ukraine reaches two million people.”

Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees said, highlighting that this is now the fastest growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War II. “In the coming days, millions more lives will be uprooted, unless there is an immediate end to this senseless conflict” he added.

Today is International Women’s Day. Unfortunately, in the Ukraine crisis the vast majority of those seeking safety in neighbouring countries as refugees are women and children.

Women and girls can be at particular risk in all emergencies. When women and girls are forced to flee, they often face distressing situations – like the heightened risk of gender-based violence, inadequate access to hygiene material, or insufficient resources like food and nutrition to take care of their children. Unaccompanied and separated children fleeing escalating conflict in Ukraine must also be protected.

We at UNHCR remain on the ground in Ukraine and bordering countries working together with national authorities and partners to protect and support everyone, including women and children, ensuring that their safety and protection are at the centre of the response. Women have the skills and the strength to persevere through great hardship - but they need our support to carry on.

Please keep the momentum and solidarity with people forced to flee going. If you have already donated, please donate again. If you have not donated, you can still support people forced to flee from Ukraine.