1,000 Days of Humanitarian Action:
By Andrij Waskowycz,
Country representative of Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe in Ukraine, Ukraine Forum Convener
It has been 1,000 days since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and the humanitarian situation in the country has worsened dramatically. The deterioration is largely driven by the intensified use of drone and missile attacks by the Russians.
Day after day and night after night, the people of Ukraine endure constant air raids and relentless shelling of their cities, forcing many to live in fear and uncertainty
According to the Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, September alone saw over 1,400 people killed injured in the conflict —the highest monthly toll since the full-scale invasion began.
Homes, hospitals, and schools have been damaged or destroyed, and essential services such as water supply, heating, and electricity have been disrupted. These deliberate attacks on critical civilian infrastructure are designed to leave Ukrainians without water, light, and heat during the freezing winter months when temperatures can drop as low as -15 degrees Celsius.
These 1,000 days represent a prolonged period of profound suffering for the people of Ukraine. Children have been stripped of their childhoods, women carry the immense burden of caring for their families under dire conditions as their husbands fight on the frontlines, and elderly people—who should be enjoying the peace of retirement—are forced to flee their homes, seeking safety either within Ukraine or abroad. Millions have become internally displaced, while countless others have sought refuge in other countries. Many are deeply scarred, enduring trauma from missile and drone attacks, the destruction of their homes, the loss of loved ones, and the relentless horrors of violence.
Yet, these 1,000 days have also unveiled extraordinary resilience and solidarity. Ukrainians have stood by one another during their darkest moments, sharing what little they have with those in need. Around the world, communities have shown remarkable compassion and generosity, rallying to support the 3.67 million internally displaced people in Ukraine and the 6.2 million refugees forced to flee their homeland.
Even before the full-scale invasion in 2022, members of the ACT Alliance were at the forefront of humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, providing essential support to those in need. When the invasion escalated, they responded quickly, mobilizing essential support to remote and severely affected areas. Over time, they have continuedly adapted their efforts to meet the ever-changing needs on the ground.
ACT Alliance members have distributed humanitarian aid and cash assistance, carried out protection projects, evacuated civilians from the frontlines , and rebuilt destroyed homes, schools, and shelters, destroyed by conflict. Their work now extends to humanitarian mine action, addressing critical safety concerns while meeting the urgent needs of communities across Ukraine.
Today, as humanitarian needs grow while resources diminish, Ukraine’s call for solidarity remains urgent. The path forward demands unwavering commitment. We cannot look away. We must stand firm with the people of Ukraine, ensuring that their suffering is not met with silence but with action. Let us renew our resolve to provide essential humanitarian aid, rebuild shattered communities, and amplify the call for peace.
The ongoing efforts of ACT Alliance members have already made a significant difference. But the work is far from over. Now, more than ever, the people of Ukraine need us our support. Together, we can bring hope, resilience, and recovery to those who need it the most. Together, we can ensure that solidarity prevails over despair.
