Life for an aid worker in Ukraine has become a game of roulette where survival itself is at stake - "Ukraine Aid: Survivors face a gamble between life and death"
In the heart of Kyiv, Nina Winzen, a dedicated worker for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), has been serving for 19 months. Amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Winzen finds the resilience and determination of the people inspiring, and she plans to stay in Kyiv until the end of 2026 [1].
The UNHCR plays a critical role in providing aid and support to displaced and evacuated people in Ukraine. They deliver immediate protection, psychological support, legal aid, cash assistance, and shelter support, focusing on those who have been affected by conflict trauma, lack essential documents, or urgently need resources like food and medicine [2][4][5].
Key aspects of UNHCR’s role in Ukraine include emergency response, support for collective sites, immediate protection and assistance, and addressing vulnerable groups [2][4][5]. The organisation offers psychosocial support to people under extreme stress, legal assistance for documentation and rights, and cash grants that allow individuals to prioritize their own most urgent needs [2][4].
Moreover, UNHCR helps manage temporary shelters where displaced people stay while seeking durable housing solutions [2]. They also engage in efforts toward early recovery and durable solutions for displaced populations [5]. UNHCR's aid extends to vulnerable populations such as persons with disabilities, women heads of households, minorities, and survivors of conflict-related abuses, often collaborating with civil society organisations to provide legal aid and psychosocial support [1][2].
With over 3.7 million internally displaced people in Ukraine as of 2025 and millions more refugees abroad, UNHCR’s comprehensive response is vital to alleviating the humanitarian crisis and addressing escalating needs due to ongoing hostilities [1][2]. The UNHCR also provides aid to particularly vulnerable people in long-term displacement, especially those living in collective centers [3].
The UNHCR's work in Ukraine is always carried out in collaboration with the government. Approximately 330 UNHCR staff from 45 nations are providing aid to displaced and evacuated people in Ukraine [6]. However, severe cuts to humanitarian budgets are affecting refugees and internally displaced persons worldwide, including in Ukraine [7].
Despite these challenges, Nina Winzen remains steadfast in her role as the right hand of the UNHCR Ukraine representative. She plans, advises, and organises, working closely with government agencies and partner organisations [1]. The UNHCR aims to reach 2.7 million people in Ukraine with their assistance this year [8].
The situation for children in Ukraine, in the fourth year of war, is catastrophic. Classes are often held in bunkers or underground, and children are frequently injured or killed [9]. Drone terror and constant danger are common in Ukraine, with Nina Winzen often hearing hundreds of drones all night long [1].
Massive Russian attacks are increasing in Ukraine, with Nina Winzen reporting alarms five times a day and frequent major attacks with deaths and injuries [10]. Despite all talks and efforts to find a political solution, these attacks continue to occur [11]. Nina Winzen describes the situation in Ukraine as destruction, suffering, death, and displacement, with the war having lasted for four years and showing no signs of decreasing [10].
Germany remains an important humanitarian partner and donor for the UNHCR’s efforts in Ukraine [12]. The UNHCR provides life-saving immediate aid to people in frontline areas, recently evacuated or displaced, or whose homes have been destroyed by air strikes and shelling [1].
Despite the challenging circumstances, Winzen's determination to stay in Kyiv until the end of 2026 reflects the spirit of the people she serves. The UNHCR's unwavering commitment to providing aid and support to displaced and affected individuals in Ukraine is a beacon of hope in these trying times.
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