Situation Update - MAY 2025

• The war in Ukraine continues to drive humanitarian needs and demand for emergency assistance. In front-line regions, ongoing attacks pose daily risks to civilians. 

• In Dnipropetrovska, Donetska, Kharkivska, Khersonska, Odeska, Sumska and Zaporizka oblasts, shelling damages homes and disrupts essential services such as water, gas and electricity.

• Humanitarian operations in Ukraine remained constrained by active hostilities, particularly in the vicinity of the front line. Two aid workers were killed in the line of duty, and another 16 were injured in March and April alone.

• Despite these challenges, about 2.3 million people across Ukraine received some life-saving assistance from humanitarian partners by March 2025.

• Yet, humanitarian organizations have had to scale back or suspend critical programmes due to funding constraints, with ripple effects for some of the most vulnerable people.

• Unless alternative funding is secured, the humanitarian community’s ability to sustain services and respond to new shocks will become increasingly strained.

• In March and April, humanitarian operations in Ukraine remained constrained by active hostilities, particularly in the vicinity of the front line. Two aid workers were killed in the line of duty, and another 16 were injured.

• The surge of attacks in larger population centres increased reports of humanitarian assets and facilities being damaged or destroyed, with more incidents (14) reported in large population centres across Ukraine than in locations (10) close to the front line.

• Military conscription continued to reduce the capacity of some humanitarian actors to deliver vital aid services in some areas, with 12 incidents reported during this period.

• For more information, download the Humanitarian Access Snapshot (March to April 2025)

By March 2025, about 2.3 million people across Ukraine received some life-saving assistance from humanitarian partners. 

In the first three months of 2025, humanitarian partners reached the most vulnerable people in front-line and neighbouring oblasts, including Dnipropetrovska, Kharkivska, Mykolaivska, Zaporizka, Donetska and Khersonska, through regular programming. Nearly 23,000 people in high-risk areas across Donetska, Kharkivska, Khersonska and Zaporizka oblasts also received vital supplies through inter-agency convoys.

Yet, humanitarian organizations have had to scale back or suspend critical programmes due to funding constraints, with ripple effects extending to local NGOs and services for some of the most vulnerable people. Essential sectors such as water, health, protection, and cash assistance faced significant operational gaps. 

Unless alternative funding is secured, the humanitarian community’s ability to sustain services and respond to new shocks will become increasingly strained. 

For more information, download the Humanitarian Response and Funding Snapshot (January - March 2025) 

Palm Sunday tragedy in Sumy: Humanitarian response brings urgent relief and solidarity 

Palm Sunday is meant to be a day of peace and reflection. But for the people of Sumy, in northeastern Ukraine, 13 April 2025 became a day of terror and unimaginable loss. A missile strike by the Russian Armed Forces hit a bustling street in the heart of the city, killing at least thirty civilians and injuring many more, as reported by local authorities. Homes, a public bus and even an educational facility were struck. 

In the face of this tragedy, humanitarian organizations quickly came together to provide life-saving assistance and emotional support to the affected community. 

“All organizations — both city services and NGOs — came together to help. Emergency services, humanitarian workers, and volunteers — everyone did everything they could to support the people affected,” said Igor Klymenko, Head of the Sumy Branch of the NGO Humanitarian Mission Proliska. “Even passersby were approaching us, asking how they could contribute.” 

The UN Secretary-General expressed deep sorrow over the attack and reminded all parties that international humanitarian law strictly prohibits targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure

For more, read the full story