Kyiv, Ukraine, 3 March – The Government of Belgium has contributed US$2.1 million to UNFPA, the UN sexual and reproductive health agency, to support access to life-saving protection services against gender-based violence for women and girls in Ukraine. The new funds, provided against the Ukraine Flash Appeal, aim at supporting the recovery, reconstruction, and modernization of national gender-based violence services throughout 2023. 

As Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine enters a second year, the war continues to take a devastating toll on the well-being of millions of women, girls and young people. In Ukraine, this year alone an estimated 3.6 million people will require gender-based violence prevention and response services – most of them women and girls. With Belgium's support, UNFPA will be able to scale up the provision of immediate life-saving services in response to the ongoing humanitarian emergency. 

UNFPA's priority is to ensure that the humanitarian response in Ukraine  is tailored to the needs of all women and girls affected by gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence, no matter who or where they are. UNFPA also seeks to prioritize women's and girls’ rights, safety, well-being and needs at all times.  

Since the beginning of the crisis in Ukraine, UNFPA has set up 48 facilities for survivors of violence and women at risk, 37 service delivery points, and more than 100 protection mobile teams across the country. UNFPA Ukraine is also working closely with the Government and national civil society partners, including women-led organizations, to reach those in most need. The contribution from Belgium will help scale up the delivery of essential protection services. 

UNFPA will work to ensure that these life-saving humanitarian interventions are implemented in such a way that will contribute to sustainable development outcomes in line with national recovery efforts. UNFPA looks forward to continuing its partnership with the Government of Belgium to ensure that the people of Ukraine receive the support they need to recover, rebuild, and live free from violence.