World Vision says the escalation of conflict in Ukraine has forced more than 3.5 million people – mostly women and children – to flee to neighbouring countries. With the escalating crisis, the casualties, the number of displaced and the needs are growing by the hour. One in five Ukrainian children is now living as a refugee.

Since the conflict started, our teams have been on the ground assessing and responding to the urgent needs of those searching for safety. We are working to support refugees in Romania, Georgia and Moldova as well as internally displaced people in Ukraine.

Our response to date includes providing food, water, hygiene kits to affected families in Ukraine and Romania and we are mobilising teams to meet the needs of growing refugee populations in Georgia and Moldova.

The impact of the crisis will be far-reaching. Both Russia and Ukraine are global suppliers of gas and commodities such as grain. Conflict will create economic shockwaves around the world which could result in significant shortages causing prices to spike, hurting those already struggling to survive.

World Vision promise to continue to call on all sides to promote peace