Ukraine situation getting worse as aid continues, UNICEF

UNICEF has denounced the worsening humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. The organization is continuing to provide aid to women and children in the country. An estimated 15.7 million people in the country need assistance, including 3 million minors, the agency said.

UNICEF is continuing to provide aid in Ukraine as the humanitarian situation "continues to worsen," the Italian chapter of the UN agency said in a statement published on Monday, May 2.

UNICEF said that "overall in the country 15.7 million people need humanitarian assistance, including 3 million children."

As of April 26, according to the statement, UNICEF had sent 206 trucks of emergency aid worth 18 million dollars to support children and families in Ukraine and in neighboring countries. Aid included medicines, medical equipment, winter clothes for children, hygiene kits, educational material and toys.

UNICEF's contribution to support the Ukrainian population

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion on February 24, UNICEF says it has distributed fundamental medical aid to help over 1,179,000 children and women and to support their access to basic medical treatments. Also, a total of 11,745 high-energy biscuits were reportedly provided in different areas of the country.

The agency is also offering crucial support for the cold chain, helping guarantee continuity in vaccination efforts. In agreement with a plan approved by the Italian health ministry, UNICEF provided 5,186 refrigerators to store vaccines. The first fridges are ready to be sent to Ukraine.

UNICEF has also provided access to clean water to one million people in areas affected by the conflict, including through its transportation, the distribution of bottles and the provision of water to facilities, according to the statement. Moreover, at least 107,623 people were provided with water and sanitary aid, the agency said.

The statement said that UNICEF distributed 5,574 kits for water and hygienic-sanitary services and dignity kits in 14 areas in the oblasts of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, Mykolaiv, Donetsk and Vinnytsia, improving access to hygiene products for nearly 20,000 people.

Moreover, hygiene kits and bottled water (20,576 liters) were distributed in the hromada of Marinka (oblast' of Donetsk), improving access to safe water and hygiene for an estimated 1,000 people.

UNICEF said it continues to support companies providing water services in Kharkiv and Uzhgorod. A reported 11 tons of liquefied chlorine gas were distributed in Kharkiv to ensure access to safe water for residents who have remained in the war-torn city, the statement concluded.