The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has announced the suspension of some support programs for newly arrived Ukrainian displaced persons due to reduced funding, particularly from the United States, which previously accounted for 40% of the organization's budget.

Source: press release from UNHCR

Details: On April 25, UNHCR reported a cutback in assistance for new refugees in Ukraine due to decreased funding from the U.S. American aid, which constituted 40% of the organization's budget in 2024, has been halted, forcing the UN to limit several crucial humanitarian programs.

“Some of the programs we previously implemented with generous support from the U.S. are being suspended,” noted UNHCR representative in Ukraine, Carolina Lindholm Billing.

Among the most significant losses are psychological and social support programs, emergency housing construction materials, and financial aid. According to the agency, other Western donors have also reduced their funding as they have shifted their focus to increasing defense expenditures.

As a result, the agency stated that its appeal for $3.32 billion to support 8.2 million people in Ukraine has been funded at only 25%.

“We have had to reduce the number of people we prioritize. We urge donors to provide necessary funding so we can continue to assist those in greatest need,” said Billing.

Quote: “Since January, over 3,500 individuals have passed through the transit center in Pavlograd. Last month, more than 4,200 evacuees arrived at the transit center in Sumy, where UNHCR and our partners provide humanitarian support to newly arrived displaced persons. These figures represent only a portion of the total number of new arrivals. Over 200,000 people have left their homes from August 2024 to early 2025.”