Ukraine

People in Need is a Czech Humanitarian and Human Rights organisation that has been present in Ukraine since 2003. We started initially with a focus on human rights programmes in 2003, and in 2014 we started providing humanitarian aid for those affected by the fighting in the east of the country.

Since 2016, we have launched several new initiatives, particularly in the sectors of protection and livelihoods; these initiatives were conceived to support the country's transition from the state of emergency to early recovery and development.

After 24 February 2022, thanks to our vast experience in emergency situations, our team was able to pivot our operations from our previous work to provide an immediate response to the humanitarian challenges brought on by Russia's invasion. Immediately following the invasion, we scaled up our activities massively, growing from working in two oblasts to working in twenty-three. This expansion was made possible thanks to the financial support of international donors.

As a result of our growth and widespread presence across Ukraine, we have become one of the key INGOs supporting those affected by the war. Today, we have ten offices in Ukraine. Our work covers a wide range of emergency assistance: 

• food and non-food items; 
• protection and shelter; 
• water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) products; 
• psychosocial assistance; 
• financial assistance.

In line with the principle of localisation, according to which humanitarian response should be "as local as possible and as international as necessary", we also actively support local civil society organisations that assist local people affected by the consequences of war and other emergencies; we contribute to the development of their capacity and skills.

Finally, we put great efforts into advocacy, in which we support promoting the rights and interests of people affected by the war and other injustices by influencing decision-makers to change policies or to develop and adopt relevant legislation or amendments.