More than three years into the full-scale war, the humanitarian needs in Ukraine remain staggering. Since February 24, 2022, millions of Ukrainians have been forced to flee their homes, resulting in the largest displacement of people in Europe since World War II. As of 2025, an estimated 12.7 million people across the country require humanitarian assistance. Around 3.7 million people are still displaced within Ukraine, and a further 6.7 million have sought refuge abroad — including 6.2 million now living in countries across Europe.

Behind these figures are families separated, communities uprooted, and lives disrupted. Many people continue to live close to active hostilities, where safety is fragile and access to essentials like clean water, food, electricity, or medical care can be limited or unpredictable. Even in parts of the country further from the fighting, life is far from normal. Displaced people face the challenge of starting over in unfamiliar places, often with limited resources. 

We have supported the war-affected people in Ukraine since 2014. As the situation evolves, so does our response. We continue to adapt our programmes to meet people’s most urgent needs, helping people stay safe, regain stability, and rebuild their lives.

"I’m not going to leave all this behind.”

“It’s not easy to live here under these circumstances but I cannot imagine myself elsewhere. I love my cows and the fruit trees I’ve planted in my garden. I’m grateful for the timely and efficient support ERC provided to me. Every day I do my best to keep the household running. I’m not going to leave all this behind.”

- Olena, a farmer from Dnipropetrovsk region

Olena from Dnipropetrovsk region

Our response

Estonian Refugee Council

Emergency response

We support people in frontline and hard-to-reach areas where access to basic necessities is often disrupted and living conditions remain unstable. One of the key ways we do this is through life-saving emergency cash assistance, enabling people to purchase what they need most, such as food, medicine, or hygiene products. To help people survive the harsh winter months, we also provide in-kind or cash-based support so they can cover heating costs and secure essential heating materials.
Estonian Refugee Council

Economic recovery

We support people in restoring and building sustainable livelihoods, helping them create reliable sources of income and regain a sense of independence. Our economic recovery programme includes both emergency and longer-term support, from helping people launch crisis-resilient micro-businesses to strengthening agriculture-based activities such as livestock farming and food production.
Estonian Refugee Council

Protection and empowerment

We offer psychosocial support through a dedicated mental health hotline, helping Ukrainians both in Ukraine and abroad cope with the impact of the war.

Learn more

Discover the services we offer to support people affected by the war in Ukraine.

Publications

News

Olena Bohdan nõuandeliini konsultant

Нормальні реакції на ненормальні часи: як працює гаряча лінія для українців під час війни

Amid the ongoing war and displacement, access to mental health support can be life-saving. In cooperation with the Ukrainian National Psychological Association…
Olha portree landscape

Війна очима психологині гарячої лінії: як Ольга підтримує психічне здоров’я своїх співгромадян

У часи війни та масового переміщення населення доступ до психологічної підтримки стає справжнім рятівним колом. Минулої весни Естонська рада у справах біженців…
A truck delivering firewood to residents of the Velykooleksandrivska community. Kherson oblast, Novopavlivka village. December 9, 2025. Photo: Dana Selezen, ERC.

Тепло для тих, хто тримається

На початку грудня Естонська рада у справах біженців разом із локальним партнером БО “Щедрик” вирушили до Новопавлівки – невеликого села у…