#Ukraine #Action Against Hunger #US Aid #Dnipro

Consequences of US Aid Suspension for Ukraine

As Ukraine commemorates three years of ongoing conflict, a significant pause in U.S. international aid has compelled humanitarian organizations to drastically adjust their operations. Action Against Hunger has confirmed that due to this funding cessation, they are no longer able to distribute financial support to families displaced along the front lines. The impact is profound, with an estimated 9 million Ukrainians living in poverty and about 12.7 million–nearly 40% of the entire population–dependent on humanitarian assistance for survival.

Humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, especially in regions closest to the conflict, were already strained, operating under limited resources. The recent funding cuts threaten to leave around 20,000 individuals in these high-risk areas without critical support. Ionuț Raita, the Director of Action Against Hunger in Ukraine, explains that limited access to healthcare will now affect approximately 18,000 people living in precarious environments. Moreover, they have been forced to halt psychological support sessions aimed at helping displaced children and teens who have endured trauma from this enduring crisis.

In the wake of continuous Russian aggression throughout the latter half of 2024, more than 200,000 individuals have been compelled to evacuate their residences. The massive displacement has led to a severe housing scarcity, exacerbating the risk for these vulnerable populations. The devastation caused to essential agricultural and industrial infrastructure has inflated the unemployment rate to 22% in areas near the front lines. With increasing prices and loss of livelihoods, food insecurity is rapidly escalating.

Access to healthcare has deteriorated dramatically due to the conflict, with numerous attacks on medical facilities and a dire shortage of medical supplies and personnel. To combat these challenges, Action Against Hunger deployed mobile health teams that navigate into remote regions of Dnipro and Kharkiv. These dedicated teams consist of a doctor, nurse, midwife, and gynecologist, delivering vital healthcare services and medications to the most at-risk populations.

Mental health is also facing a significant crisis. The constant threat of airstrikes, combined with the emotional burden of displacement and loss, is resulting in escalating mental health issues. It is estimated that around 10 million people may suffer from mental disorders in the near future. Children are particularly vulnerable; many have been out of formal education for over four years, grappling with the dual crises of the pandemic and war. Raita states that every air raid alarm not only fuels anxiety but further impedes their learning process, especially for those unable to benefit from distance learning due to unstable internet and power outages caused by attacks.

Action Against Hunger has been actively working in Ukraine since March 2022, primarily focusing on supporting individuals in the eastern regions including Dnipro, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya, Kharkiv, and Sumy. In 2023 alone, they assisted over 675,000 individuals with various support initiatives, including healthcare, mental health, psychosocial services, hygiene, and food security. Of particular note, the program prioritizes psychological support for individuals experiencing stress and trauma, reaching over 12,000 individuals in just the last year.

With the urgent circumstances on the ground, Raita is available for interviews, emphasizing the critical need for continued international humanitarian aid funding to accommodate the staggering humanitarian needs existing amid the prolonged conflict in Ukraine.