Sweden’s support to Ukraine is more important than ever
Sweden’s support to Ukraine is more important than ever
As winter approaches, UNHCR is preparing to distribute well-insulated facades for buildings to keep the heat in, material to insulate heating pipes, and the installation and repairing of solid fuel stoves for families living close by the frontline.
Ukraine continues to be subjected to full-scale Russian attacks, with the number of casualties reaching record-high levels during the month of July. With support from Sweden, UNHCR continues to provide humanitarian assistance in Ukraine.
Russian attacks are escalating at an alarming rate across the whole of Ukraine, as the use of ballistic missiles and other long-range weapons continues to increase, contributing to a growing number of civilian casualties. The number of people killed and injured reached its highest level in July 2026 with 437 civilian deaths and 2,610 injuries reported.
In just one night, in the height of the summer months, the warehouse and office of one of UNHCR’s local partner organizations in the Dnipropetrovsk region, were hit in a Russian attack. Thankfully, no lives of staff members were lost. However, essential lifesaving aid distributed at the facility, including emergency shelter materials and humanitarian supplies, was destroyed. This jeopardized the humanitarian response to the urgent needs of people in Ukraine as their homes are attacked and their lives continue to be affected by the war.
On the second of July, Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, was hit by attacks that, among other things, destroyed several multi-story buildings, leaving people’s homes in ruins and dust. UNHCR and their NGO partners delivered emergency shelter materials to help war-affected people restore their homes.
As a result of the continued attacks, people have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety, particularly civilians from the regions close to the Russian boarder, such as the Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk region. As the war continues and escalates, support from Sweden has been essential in enabling UNHCR to respond quickly to the growing humanitarian needs of people in Ukraine.
In July 2026 alone, approximately 20,400 internally displaced people passed through transit centers, where they were provided with humanitarian assistance and essential services. This included emergency shelters, legal support, such as restoring lost documents, or applying for state compensation.
UNHCR also provided psychosocial support and cash assistance to meet basic needs, as well as emergency shelter materials to help restore homes that got damaged by attacks. During July, 18,462 people were provided with emergency shelter materials, 342 people received access to legal counselling, and 466 people received psychosocial support.
Further on, UNHCR delivered 240 solar lamps to the village of Vyshchetarasivka in the Dnipropetrovsk region to assist the people living close to the frontline. In addition, UNHCR has provided information leaflets that aim to contribute guidance about the available assistance and evacuation procedures.
In times of life-threatening attacks, insecurity, damaged homes and harsh temperatures, Sweden’s funding to UNHCR is vital for the contribution of humanitarian assistance in Ukraine.
Over 20 people were killed and dozens were injured, by a severe aerial attack on the second of July in Kyiv. Infostructure, as well as private and multi-story housing, was left severely damaged. UNHCR with their NGO partners responded urgently to people’s needs by providing them with humanitarian assistance and protection such as cash assistance following evacuation and new displacement.
