Sure! Here’s a rewritten version of the article:
—
Civilians Paying the Highest Price Amid Intensifying Frontline Attacks, UNHCR Warns
The humanitarian toll of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine continues to mount, with civilians bearing the brunt of escalating attacks on frontline areas, according to Karolina Lindholm Billing, Representative for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
Since January alone, over 3,500 newly displaced individuals have passed through a transit center in Pavlohrad en route to central Ukraine. In total, more than 200,000 people have been evacuated or displaced from frontline zones between August 2024 and early 2025.
Last to Leave
In March, more than 4,200 evacuees reached a transit facility in Sumy, in northeastern Ukraine, where UNHCR and its partners offer humanitarian aid. These figures represent only a portion of those forced from their homes by ongoing violence and compulsory evacuation directives issued by the Ukrainian government in response to relentless Russian assaults.
Many of those evacuated are elderly people with limited mobility, individuals with disabilities, impoverished families, and children. According to UNHCR, a significant number chose to remain until the last possible moment, reluctant to abandon their homes and belongings.
Cities and Civilians Targeted
On Thursday, UN aid agencies strongly condemned a Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv that left 12 people dead and 84 injured. This assault was part of a broader escalation in hostilities across Ukraine since the start of the year, driving up humanitarian needs.
“Since January, deadly Russian attacks have intensified alarmingly,” said Ms. Billing, speaking from Kyiv via video link to journalists in Geneva. “More than 1,000 people have been directly impacted by the destruction or damage of their homes. Civilian infrastructure was also struck across multiple regions, including Kharkiv — where I personally woke around 2 a.m. to the sound of explosions.”
According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, civilian casualties in March 2025 were 70 percent higher compared to the same month a year earlier.
Supporting Lives and Livelihoods
The war, which began on 24 February 2022 with Russia’s invasion, has internally displaced around four million people. Many still struggle to secure affordable housing and employment, underscoring the vital role of humanitarian assistance.
Emergency interventions by UNHCR include providing shelter materials to cover shattered windows, roofs, and doors. “Since 2022, we have helped around 450,000 people make urgent repairs to their homes,” Ms. Billing noted.
In addition to emergency housing support, UNHCR offers psychological first aid, legal services for those who lost personal documents, and cash aid to help families meet their basic needs.
Funding Challenges
Despite the immense needs, funding shortfalls threaten the humanitarian response. Last year, U.S. support accounted for approximately 40% of UNHCR’s total contributions. For 2025, UNHCR is seeking $803.5 million to address the crisis in Ukraine; so far, only 25% of that amount has been secured.
“When funding fell short during the winter, we were forced to partially suspend some programmes, including psychosocial support services, distribution of emergency shelter materials, and cash assistance,” Ms. Billing warned.
The agency emphasizes that more robust and predictable funding is essential to continue meeting the urgent needs of displaced and affected communities across Ukraine.
—
Would you also like a shorter or slightly more formal version?
Leave a Reply