How our teams and partners are helping those in desperate need ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌







Dear friend,

This week, the world got a devastating view of the extent of the catastrophe in Ukraine as relief teams and press were able to access regions that had previously been cut off. It has been a stark reminder that even today — the 45th day of this conflict — the urgency of the Ukrainian people’s needs has not abated.

Our teams and partners responding in Ukraine, Poland, and Romania have sent updates that underscore the importance of both immediate aid and a long-term commitment to recovery and rebuilding.

Situation on the ground

When we wrote to you in early March, 500,000 people had fled their homes. Today more than 4.3 million people have left Ukraine, and our team reports that those who are arriving at border crossings are coming with what little they could bring, without connections in other countries, and with questions about what they should be doing next — or even exactly where they are.

In such desperate times, Mercy Corps team member Alan Glasgow offered a hopeful take from the Polish border:
     
"I’m seeing terrific efficiency and also kindness and humanity being shown by everyone involved, both at Ukrainian exit point and Polish entry point for new arrivals. Emergency kitchens, pizzas being cooked, water bottles handed out… our team is working with this group and we’re very proud of our work together. This really is about humanity on the move."
 
ALAN GLASGOW, MERCY CORPS REGIONAL DIRECTOR
 
Inside Ukraine, conditions are dire as medicine and food remain scarce. Right now, Mercy Corps teams are working to supplement the surge of donated goods by filling in the gaps with specific items that are in greatest need, like canned food and dried fruit. Still, supply lines remain vulnerable to disruptions that could leave entire communities with just a few days worth of food. Those who can’t flee, including the elderly, are at greatest risk.

For an up-close look at the effort to keep delivering critical supplies to Ukrainians in need, watch this short YouTube video update from inside Ukraine, sent by Mercy Corps team member Alan Glasgow.
Alan Glasgow
In Ukraine and Poland, Mercy Corps and our partners are supporting marginalized groups including members of Ukraine’s Roma community, plus students and migrant laborers from Africa and Asia who have been studying or working inside Ukraine and are now fleeing the country.

As the world’s attention continues to focus on the crisis in Ukraine and surrounding countries, we must remember that the humanitarian response extends far beyond the immediate region. The crisis in Ukraine is exacerbating global hunger, driving food prices higher at the same time as drought and conflict contribute to unprecedented levels of food insecurity worldwide. In Somalia, for example, the prices of cooking oil, beans, rice, sugar, and flour have nearly doubled since the start of the conflict.

Mercy Corps will continue to respond in Somalia, across the Horn of Africa, and in dozens of countries where urgent humanitarian needs persist.

If you would like to help people facing urgent crises in Ukraine and communities around the world, please send your gift to our Humanitarian Response Fund today.
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Our work in Ukraine — and across the world — is made possible by our team, our partners, and supporters like you. Thank you for being part of our community.

Sincerely,

The Mercy Corps team