7.7 million people displaced inside Ukraine, warns UN relief team chief, as aid conference raises $6.5 billion |

Mr. Griffiths is speaking at the International Donor Conference for Ukraine in Warsaw. Co-hosted by Poland and Sweden, in cooperation with the President of the European Commission and the Council of Europe.

The conference raised a reported $6.5 billion.

According to the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCRMore than 5.7 million people have now fled across the Ukrainian border in search of shelter, in the two and a half months since the February 24 Russian invasion.

In a tweet, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, said that in his pre-conference press conference he emphasized priorities for millions of refugees and internally displaced persons, the importance of cash, shelter and accommodation programs, and protecting those vulnerable.

He also made it clear that planning needs to start now, when they return home, and solutions to make that happen.

Cash pump

World food program (WFP) chief David Beasley, also speaking at the conference, after yesterday’s announcement by the United Nations emergency food aid agency that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ukrainian Ministry of Social Policy, to scale up cash transfers to half a million people across Ukraine.

The agreement with the Government will support those displaced by the war and expand assistance already provided to 170,000 people through cash assistance.

“This partnership will expand our efforts in supporting the Social Protection system already in place in Ukraine,” said Samir Wanmali, WFP Deputy Emergency Coordinator.

Since the beginning of April, WFP has transferred nearly $11 million in local currency to more than 170,000 people in Vinnytsia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kharkiv and other cities. Eligible people receive between $75 and $225 per month, depending on family size.

Cash allows people to buy the items and services they consider most important. It is extremely useful for families with a variety of needs in a volatile environment, when they may be on the move.

WFP says every dollar spent by a family in Ukraine is injected directly into the local economy.

Millions injured, need help: UN rights experts

The UN’s independent human rights experts, together with the Coordinator of an international NGO known as the Global Defenders Cluster, issue a statement on Thursday, highlighting the “appalling” humanitarian situation facing millions of people in Ukraine

“Many forms of gender-based violence are being reported such as sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual violence, including conflict-related sexual violence. Women and girls on the move – at border crossings or transit and mass transit hubs and in bomb shelters – face a particularly high risk of insecurity and violence, including human trafficking,” they said.

“Many families have been separated during the relocation process, and unaccompanied and separated children are particularly vulnerable to the dangers of trafficking, violence, abuse and exploitation.”

They also expressed deep concern for the plight of older people and people with disabilities in war zones.

“Many of them remain in conflict zones because of limited mobility or are dependent on others for care, and face challenges in accessing bomb shelters or other safe area. We are pay particular attention to people with disabilities, including children, living in facilities for people with disabilities who face barriers to accessing humanitarian assistance and evacuation on an equal basis with others . ”

Life-saving support

Independent experts calls on the international community and donors to provide sustained and enhanced support for the response to internal displacement and Protest Flash Ukraineand other important efforts to protect the human rights of all civilians remaining in Ukraine.

“We call on the parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law to protect civilians,” the statement said.

“We repeat our call about accountability for the horrific crimes that have been recorded and our support for initiatives set up to investigate these allegations. “

The UN special rapporteurs are independent experts, appointed by Dong Nhan Quyen Association. They work on a voluntary basis, are not employees of the United Nations and are not paid for their work.