Finland’s humanitarian assistance in Ukraine

Finland’s humanitarian assistance in Ukraine totalled EUR 37.7 million in 2022–2023. Finland has given Ukrainians vital assistance as food aid, health services and emergency shelters, among other measures. Ukraine is the largest recipient of Finland’s humanitarian assistance.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has caused immense destruction and suffering. The UN estimates that nearly 18 million Ukrainians, nearly half of the population, need humanitarian assistance. To alleviate human suffering and help Ukraine in the midst of the war, Finland allocated EUR 13 million in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in 2023. Finland’s humanitarian assistance in Ukraine totalled EUR 37.7 million in 2022–2023.

In 2023, one third of Finland’s humanitarian assistance in Ukraine was channelled through the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund (UHF) of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The UHF is a rapid, flexible and strategic humanitarian fund. It supports the delivery of life-saving assistance, such as food aid, health services and emergency shelters, and the work of local relief organisations.

Other important partners for Finland include the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the World Food Programme (WFP). In 2023, Finland allocated EUR 2.5 million to the Ukraine relief operation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The ICRC and the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) provide vital assistance and offer technical and material support to repair destroyed infrastructure and to maintain power supply, water supply and health services. The Finnish Red Cross supports the ICRC operation with funds and, where necessary, by sending material help and aid workers.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has its main focus on providing cash assistance, but it also delivers food aid, hygiene supplies and medical supplies near the battle lines. Finland supports the WFP’s work in Ukraine by EUR 2.9 million.

In addition, Finnish civil society organisations deliver humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. Their efforts focus on food aid, psychosocial support and education, among other areas. Finland’s assistance focuses on assisting the most vulnerable people, especially persons with disabilities.

Global impacts of aid to Ukraine

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has far-reaching global impacts. It has disrupted exports and thereby further weakened food security in many countries previously dependent on grain imports from Russia and Ukraine.

By supporting the Black Sea Grain Initiative of the World Food Programme (WFP), Finland has indirectly helped Ukraine and the poorest countries affected by the fluctuating grain prices. Finland supported the Black Sea Grain Initiative with EUR 5 million in 2023.

By facilitating grain exports, the WFP has been able to deliver humanitarian assistance to countries worst affected by the food crisis. With Finland’s support, the WFP has bought Ukrainian grain, ground it, cleared it through customs and delivered it to the Horn of Africa, among other regions.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative has helped Ukraine export more than 32 million tonnes of grain since June 2022. Russia announced its withdrawal from the initiative in July 2023.

Finland's support to Ukraine in 2022

In 2022, Finland granted Ukraine a total of EUR 24.7 million in humanitarian assistance. This assistance included:

• Ukraine Humanitarian Fund (UHF) of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), EUR 8 million
• Ukraine relief operation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), EUR 3 million. Finland’s support for the ICRC operation focused on health services, food security, water supply and protection. In addition, Finland supported the operation with EUR 1 million through the financial and material assistance provided by the Finnish Red Cross.
• Humanitarian action of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Ukraine, EUR 2 million. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the widespread forced displacement of Ukrainians have increased the incidence of sexual violence and the risks associated with reproductive health. Finland’s support was used to ensure sexual and reproductive health, prevent sexual violence and help victims.
• Ukraine operation of the United Nations Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR), EUR 4.2 million. The UNCHR works closely with the Ukrainian Government and its partners and maintains emergency relief and protective equipment stockpiles across Ukraine. In addition, Finland supported a UNCHR operation in Moldova with EUR 1 million. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has brought a large number of Ukrainian refugees into Moldova, and the constantly growing number of arrivals has severely tested the country’s resilience.
• Ukraine operation of the World Food Programme (WFP), EUR 5 million. Food aid is one of the most important forms of vital assistance, and it is estimated that every other household in southern and eastern Ukraine are affected by food insecurity.
• United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD), EUR 0.5 million. Finland’s support focused on helping persons with disabilities who fled the war in Ukraine to Moldova and Georgia.