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

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

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Pagulaspäev 2024

Estonian Refugee Council Celebrates World Refugee Day with a Community Festival

The Estonian Refugee Council will host a vibrant community festival on World Refugee Day, 20 June, from 12:00 to 16:00 at Telliskivi Creative City to show…
Ukraine help

Overview of the Estonian Refugee Council's activities in May

We are helping job seekers with a refugee background enter the labour market or move to more suitable positions through a new employability programme in…
"Austere erinevusi" märgis. Foto Teet Raik

Estonian Refugee Council received the “Respecting Differences” label

On 29th of May, the Estonian Refugee Council was awarded the "Respecting Differences" label, which recognises the efforts of public sector organisations,…
Pagulaspäev 2024

World Refugee Day Community Festival

The Estonian Refugee Council will celebrate World Refugee Day on June 20th from 12 to 4pm at Telliskivi Creative City as a community festival, supporting all…
Employability Programme

New Employability Programme Helps Job Seekers With Refugee Backgrounds Enter Labour Market

Estonian Refugee Council launches a new employability programme in Estonia and Latvia, aimed at job seekers with a refugee background. The programme provides…
Ukraine Cash team

Overview of the Estonian Refugee Council's activities in April

In April 2024, ERC provided multi-purpose cash assistance to 8,600 conflict-affected individuals in front-line and hard-to-reach areas in Donetsk, Kharkiv,…
Empowering Women ettevõtlusprogrammi lõpuüritus Tallinnas

Women’s Entrepreneurship Programme By Estonian Refugee Council and Garage48 Has Successfully Concluded

In April the "Empowering Women" entrepreneurship programme for women with refugee backgrounds concluded, with five new active companies now operating in…
eesti pagulasabi gruusia kontori avamine grupipilt

Overview of the Estonian Refugee Council's activities in March

We opened a portrait exhibition titled "Voices from Crises: Stories of Displaced People" on Monday, April 15th at Kolme puu gallery in Telliskivi Creative City…
“Voices from Crises. Stories of Displaced People”. Photo by Keiu Virro

New Exhibition by Estonian Refugee Council Showcases the Stories of Displaced People

Estonian Refugee Council announces the opening of a new portrait exhibition titled "Voices from Crises: Stories of Displaced People", hosted at the Three Tree…
title page

New Insights into Displacement: Read Our Latest Report on Humanitarian Needs in Armenia

Renewed conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh has forced over 115,000 people to seek refuge in Armenia since September 2023, dramatically increasing the number of…
Estonian Refugee Council

Overview of the Activities of the Estonian Refugee Council in February

This season we provided winterization support to nearly 16,000 vulnerable households in Ukraine. We carried out a shelter programme in Ukraine, supporting the…