UNHCR to repair homes for war-affected Ukrainians through support from Qatar Fund for Development

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, signed today a US$5 million agreement with the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) to support home repairs and rehabilitation of social infrastructure in frontline regions in Ukraine. This support will benefit more than 4,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and other individuals affected by the full-scale war, offering them the opportunity to return to or remain in safe and dignified living conditions ahead of the winter season.

The agreement was signed in New York in the presence of H.E. Sheikh Thani bin Hamad Al Thani, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of QFFD, Mr. Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and Mr. Fahad Hamad Al-Sulaiti, Director General of QFFD, on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Over the next 12 months, this contribution will enable UNHCR to restore a sense of hope and stability through repairing war-damaged homes and rehabilitating critical public and community infrastructure facilities – which are vital for the recovery of local communities – in the Ukrainian regions of Sumy, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Poltava.

“I have witnessed firsthand the extraordinary resilience of Ukrainians as they endure relentless attacks and rebuild from the rubble,” said Grandi. “With the support of the Qatar Fund for Development, we can deliver vital assistance and help communities recover with dignity. In a time of multiple crises and scarce resources, such solidarity is crucial and sends a powerful signal to the people of Ukraine that they are not forgotten.”

Highlighting on the importance of the project, Al Sulaiti remarked: “QFFD is proud to partner with UNHCR to support shelter rehabilitation and construction efforts in Ukraine. This effort underscores Qatar’s commitment to providing both immediate relief and long-term solutions for communities affected by conflict. It is a critical need for each human to live with dignity, and freely call a place home, regardless of the devastating conditions which war has inflicted on them. Through these joint efforts we believe that we are working towards a comprehensive and sustainable solution that contributes to long-term stability and recovery.”

The ongoing war in Ukraine has led to unprecedented levels of displacement, marking the largest crisis in Europe since World War II. As the full-scale war has entered its fourth year, the situation remains perilous. An estimated 12.7 million people are in urgent need for humanitarian assistance, including 6.9 million requiring shelter and essential relief support. The war has caused direct damage estimated at nearly US$176 billion, including the destruction of over 2.5 million housing units and widespread harm to critical infrastructure across the country.

With the continued support of donors and partners like QFFD, who instill community empowerment by investing in long-term sustainable solutions, UNHCR remains dedicated to alleviating the suffering of displaced and other war-affected communities. Together, UNHCR and QFFD reaffirm their shared commitment to ensuring that the most vulnerable among the people so severely impacted by the war, receive the support they need to rebuild their lives.

QFFD has been a steadfast partner of UNHCR, contributing generously to a wide range of programmes around the world, including basic assistance, shelter, health, education, and emergency response. This latest contribution further strengthens the collaboration between UNHCR and the State of Qatar in responding to the needs of displaced populations and advancing a more dignified and sustainable future for those forced to flee.

For more information, please contact:

• In Ukraine: Elisabeth Arnsdorf Haslund, Senior Communications Officer, [email protected]
• In GCC: Khaled Kabbara, Communications Officer, [email protected]