Since the onset of the Russian invasion, nearly one-third of Ukrainians have been forced from their homes. This is one of the largest human displacement crises in the world today, according to the UN Refugee Agency, who estimate there are more than 7.7 million Ukrainian refugees across Europe and more than 6.9 million displaced persons inside Ukraine. Millions more have been affected in the areas hardest hit by the war within Ukraine and are in need of humanitarian and protection assistance.

HIAS is providing emergency humanitarian assistance in Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, and Romania in order assist Ukrainian refugees and those who have been internally displaced within in Ukraine. This work is particularly focused on addressing protection gaps for vulnerable populations, including women and girls, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, and non-Ukrainian asylum seekers and stateless people.

HIAS’ long-time partner on the ground in Ukraine, Right to Protection (R2P), continues to aid refugees and displaced people. HIAS has sent emergency funding to R2P, an independent NGO, to assist their response. R2P specialists are providing legal assistance; operating a hotline to provide information about services, evacuation, and refugee status; conducting protection monitoring at checkpoints and monitoring visits to those who have not left their home; and also distributing food and essential supplies.

Communities across Europe and the United States have also responded to this forced displacement crisis by forming HIAS Welcome Circles – groups of volunteers who take on the responsibility of welcoming and resettling their new neighbors from Ukraine.

On April 21, President Biden announced Uniting for Ukraine, a new program that provides a private sponsorship pathway for some Ukrainians to apply for humanitarian parole for a period of two years. HIAS has been awarded Ukrainian Supplemental funding by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to provide essential services to eligible Ukrainians upon their arrival to the U.S.