Ukraine: Caritas sounds the alarm on growing poverty and 4 million people without homes

Caritas’ response is led by two national organisations, Caritas Ukraine and Caritas-Spes Ukraine, which operate nationwide through one of the largest humanitarian networks in the country. Since February 2022, they have supported more than 6 million people, remaining close to affected communities and adapting as the war has eroded livelihoods, savings, and economic resilience.

Ukraine: Poverty and Homelessness

Four years into Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate as millions of civilians and people living in vulnerable conditions face the coldest winter in recent times without heating.

Due to the relentless military attacks on civilian infrastructure, humanitarian needs are rapidly rising across the country. Caritas’ response is led by two national organisations, Caritas Ukraine and Caritas-Spes Ukraine, which operate nationwide through one of the largest humanitarian networks in the country.

Since February 2022, they have supported more than 6 million people, remaining close to affected communities and adapting as the war has eroded livelihoods, savings, and economic resilience.

According to official figures more than 10.8 million people require humanitarian assistance. Poverty remains acute, families have exhausted their resources, and people are now 15–20 per cent more dependent on external support than at the start of 2024, underlining that many are reaching the limits of their resilience.

Before the war, our soup kitchen in Kyiv served around 60 people daily, mostly those living on the streets. Today, we see over 500 beneficiaries every day, mostly impoverished families with no heating or electricity at home,” – Father Vyacheslav Grynevych SAC, Executive Director of Caritas-Spes Ukraine.

Read the full interview with Father Vyacheslav Grynevych here.

Frontline and border regions face daily danger, while communities continue to bear the long-term consequences of displacement and repeated shocks. Civilian infrastructure remains under strain, affecting everyday life.

In Ukraine, more than four million people have lost their homes and need long term housing solutions because of the war. Initially, we focused on emergency shelter for the displaced. Today we are working with the government to develop a social housing plan to help people rebuild their lives,” – Tetiana Stawnychy, President of Caritas Ukraine.

Read the full interview with Tetiana Stawnychy here.

Four Priorities for 2026

• Caritas has identified four urgent priorities for the year ahead. First is emergency response. Life-saving assistance, evacuations, and support for those affected by missile and drone strikes remain critical, both in frontline areas and in cities far from the fighting.
• Second is winter support and the restoration of basic services. Repeated attacks on energy infrastructure continue to cause electricity outages, heating failures, and water disruptions, particularly affecting residents of high-rise buildings in major urban centres.
• Third is housing: Caritas is working to move beyond temporary arrangements toward sustainable solutions in coordination with local and national authorities.
• Fourth is livelihoods, helping people find employment or rebuild small-scale economic activity, restoring independence and dignity.
• Across all priorities, mental health and psychosocial support has become central. Support for children, families, veterans, and communities is no longer secondary but essential to sustaining social cohesion and resilience.

Global Solidarity

Entering the fifth year of war, Caritas staff warn of a growing challenge: humanitarian fatigue is increasing as attention shifts and unity is tested.

“In a war that has ravaged the people of Ukraine for four years already, sending people fleeing for sanctuary in all directions, our solidarity and care have never been needed more. We cannot stop. Equally, we need serious, sincere, comprehensive efforts for a just, sustainable peace. This war must end.”- Alistair Dutton, Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis.”

As uncertainty deepens, the humanitarian emergency is far from over; sustained solidarity remains vital.

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