Resource
The war in Ukraine has drastically disrupted millions of lives, displacing people and creating unprecedented humanitarian needs. As of today, 12.7 million people are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Since February 2022, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has been working in Ukraine alongside local partners to deliver life-saving support to people affected by the war, helping them survive, recover, and regain control of their future.
Who we are?
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a global humanitarian organization founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein. Our mission is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster. We work in over 40 countries worldwide. In Ukraine, the IRC has been operational since February 2022.
Together with local partners, we aim to provide the best support possible to people impacted by war. The IRC operates in Odesa, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Donetsk regions, supporting communities both in urban centers and hard-to-reach rural areas near the frontlines.
We deliver essential items and provide cash assistance to help families meet basic needs. Small businesses can receive mini-grants to support recovery and continuity. Protection services focus on the safety and well-being of children, women, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups. Legal advice is provided to those facing challenges in accessing their rights. Health teams offer primary medical care in remote or frontline areas, along with mental health and psychosocial support. Medical institutions are also supported by our teams with pharmaceutical aid to ensure continued care.
What IRC does in Ukraine?
Medical and Psychological Support
In Ukraine, IRC’s medical teams are reaching people where help is needed the most. From frontline villages to remote communities, we provide life-saving healthcare and emotional support to people who often have nowhere else to turn. With our Mobile Medical Units operating in Dnipropetrovsk and Kharkiv oblasts, we bring basic services—like check-ups, glucose tests, ultrasounds, and essential medications—directly to the elderly, people with chronic conditions, women, and children. In Dnipropetrovsk, we also support women’s reproductive health through tailored consultations and train medical staff to care safely for survivors of sexual violence.
Our mental health specialists offer individual and group sessions to those experiencing emotional distress, including frontline healthcare workers, across seven regions. We make sure local health facilities have the medications they need and train staff in pharmaceutical management. Through information campaigns, communities are supported to make informed health decisions, adopt healthier practices, and better understand how to access and use public healthcare services. This entire effort is made possible through close collaboration with local organizations like Fortitude,Stellar Ukraine, and ZDOROVI.
Economic Recovery and Development
The war has destroyed homes, disrupted livelihoods, and left many without the means to survive. IRC’s Economic Recovery and Development program is helping families rebuild their lives by providing direct cash support when and where it's needed most. Since 2022, over 127,000 people have received financial totaling more than 29 million USD. We reach places where others can’t—areas within 15 kilometers of the frontlines—and we’re ready to respond within 48 hours when emergencies strike.
In addition to cash, we deliver non-food and hygiene supplies, such as power banks, heaters, blankets, firewood, and construction materials, to help people in remote areas face hardship. We also offer social protection support to individuals who have suffered permanent disabilities as a result of the war, complementing national programs by providing interim assistance where state support is delayed. This program ensures that even in the hardest times, people have the dignity of choice and a path toward stability. We also provide micro-grants to local entrepreneurs to help them rebuild their businesses affected by the war and support the development of their communities.
Protection and Rule of Law (PRoL)
War affects more than just infrastructure—it disrupts rights, safety, and dignity. That’s why IRC’s Protection and Rule of Law program works with those most at risk: internally displaced people, persons with disabilities, veterans, and survivors of trauma. In 2024, we supported more than 11,400 people across 28 districts in seven regions of Ukraine. Our teams provide legal assistance, help people navigate government systems, access documentation, understand their rights, and connect with psychosocial support services.
We also lead sessions on digital literacy and ensure referrals to other forms of specialized care when we cannot address acute needs ourselves. Working in close partnership with local actors like the Foundation for Community Development, we respond to evolving risks and advocate for the protection and empowerment of the most vulnerable.
Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE)
Women and girls have the right to live free from violence, to feel safe in their communities, and to shape their own futures. Through our Women’s Protection and Empowerment program, we create spaces where women and girls can heal, learn, and lead. In Dnipro, we operate dedicated safe spaces that provide social worker`s support and community activities. Our approach is grounded in proven international models used by the IRC around the world and we adapt them to the realities women face in Ukraine today.
The IRC works hand in hand with women-led organizations and local authorities to reduce risks, promote equality, and elevate women’s voices in decision-making and peacebuilding. Because when women lead, communities become stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient.
Child Protection
Children affected by war carry deep wounds—both visible and invisible. At IRC, we ensure children have the support they need to heal and thrive. Our Child Protection program helps children who have been separated from their families, caught in conflict, or traumatized by violence.Our Safe Healing and Learning Spaces (SHLS), built around quality facilitation models, support children to find stability, security, and opportunities to grow. We also work with children injured by mines by providing specialized assistance.
For those returning from formerly occupied territories, we offer reintegration support and help secure vital legal documents. We also advocate for child-sensitive legal systems and provide alternative care for children without parental support. Our work extends across frontline and displacement-affected areas and is done in close coordination with local services to build a stronger safety net for every child.
Our Commitment to Clients
At IRC Ukraine, we believe everyone has the right to receive support in a safe, respectful, and dignified way. Safeguarding means protecting people from harm, including any form of abuse, exploitation, or mistreatment by anyone working with or for IRC.
All IRC staff follow a strict code of conduct to prevent abuse of power. No one should ever feel forced, scared, or uncomfortable when receiving aid.
If something feels wrong, you have the right to speak up. We will listen, respect your privacy, and take your concern seriously. Reporting helps us create a safer environment for everyone.
“Our teams on the ground are committed to serving Ukranians in need. For many our assistance is quite simply life-saving. Since starting our work in Ukraine we, alongside our national partners, have reached more than 925,000 people with direct support through our Protection and Rule of Law, Women’s Protection and Empowerment, and Child Protection services. More than 260,000 people have received NFIs (Non Food Items), 240,000 medical assistance and 167,000 people have received financial support. We are proud of such results and even in these difficult times for the humanitarian sector we are doing everything we can to support those in need.” said Alain Homsy, IRC Country Director in Ukraine.
Who Can Access Our Support?
Our humanitarian assistance and services are guided by specific eligibility criteria to ensure support reaches those who need it most. These criteria are based on factors, such as vulnerability, legal status, location, and specific needs resulting from the conflict or displacement.
While we may not be able to assist everyone directly, we are committed to treating each request with respect and care. If you or someone you know is in need, we encourage you to reach out. Even if our services are not a match, we may be able to refer you to other available support in your area.
Your safety and dignity matter to us, and we are here to listen.
Contact us
If you have any feedback, suggestion, or a question about our services please contact us:
Hotline: 0800 337 132
Email: vidhuky@rescue.org
If you have concerns, or wish to report a situation where someone may have been harmed or treated unfairly, please know that you can speak to us safely.
All complaints and reports are handled with strict confidentiality, compassion, and a survivor-centered approach, meaning that your safety, dignity, and choices come first. We will never share your information without your consent unless someone is at serious risk of harm.
Even if you're unsure or just want to talk something through, you are encouraged to reach out. You will be listened to with respect, and supported every step of the way.
