Skip to main content
A scene from the Polish side of the border with Ukraine at Medyka. Photo: Kieran McConvilleA scene from the Polish side of the border with Ukraine at Medyka. Photo: Kieran McConvilleA scene from the Polish side of the border with Ukraine at Medyka. Photo: Kieran McConville

In photos: the reality for those fleeing Ukraine

In photos: the reality for those fleeing Ukraine
Story4 March 2022

Millions of people are fleeing Ukraine in search of safety. Most refugees crossing the border into Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Hungary and Moldova are women and children. In pictures, this is the reality for people fleeing the crisis in Ukraine. 

Over four million people have fled Ukraine for neighbouring countries, and 6.5 million are internally displaced.

Residential buildings, schools, kindergartens and other infrastructure of the city have been destroyed.

In the city of Zhytomyr, a Russian cruise missile destroyed an entire block of residential houses and caused damage to a maternity hospital, killing at least four people and injuring dozens. Photo: Stefanie Glinski/Concern Worldwide
In the city of Zhytomyr, a Russian cruise missile destroyed an entire block of residential houses and caused damage to a maternity hospital, killing at least four people and injuring dozens. Photo: Stefanie Glinski/Concern Worldwide
In the city of Zhytomyr, a Russian cruise missile destroyed an entire block of residential houses and caused damage to a maternity hospital, killing at least four people and injuring dozens. Photo: Stefanie Glinski/Concern Worldwide
Residents walk among the wreckage of a destroyed residential house in the city of Zhytomyr. Photo: Stefanie Glinski/Concern Worldwide
In the city of Zhytomyr, a Russian cruise missile destroyed an entire block of residential houses and caused damage to a maternity hospital, killing at least four people and injuring dozens. Photo: Stefanie Glinski/Concern Worldwide
Building stands in ruin after a Russian cruise missile attack. Photo: Stefanie Glinski/Concern Worldwide

Families, including many with small children, are fleeing with whatever clothes and food they can carry, in bitterly cold conditions, often facing huge queues to reach safety.

Daria* 2 years old, with her mother from Odessa left their home due to heavy fighting. People from Odessa are fleeing the country: At Lviv train station, they are boarding another train heading towards the Polish border. Photo: Stefanie Glinski/Concern Worldwide
Daria* 2 years old, with her mother from Odessa left their home due to heavy fighting. People from Odessa are fleeing the country: At Lviv train station, they are boarding another train heading towards the Polish border. Photo: Stefanie Glinski/Concern Worldwide
Yana* (11), is standing on the platform at Lviv train station, waiting to board a train to the Polish border. Photo: Stefanie Glinski/Concern Worldwide
Yana* (11), is standing on the platform at Lviv train station, waiting to board a train to the Polish border. Photo: Stefanie Glinski/Concern Worldwide
At Lviv train station, people are fleeing fighting across Ukraine as Russia's invasion continues. Photo: Stefanie Glinski/Concern Worldwide
At Lviv train station, people are fleeing fighting across Ukraine as Russia's invasion continues. Photo: Stefanie Glinski/Concern Worldwide

Civilian casualties have reached the thousands, and 3.6 million people have fled Ukraine due to the conflict.

Evacuations from Irpin, north of Kyiv. People are fleeing heavy Russian bombing. Photo: Stefanie Glinski/Concern Worldwide
Evacuations from Irpin, north of Kyiv. People are fleeing heavy Russian bombing. Photo: Stefanie Glinski/Concern Worldwide

Right now, our team are on the ground in specific regions assessing the huge humanitarian needs.

Ukraine's health system is feeling the strain of the conflict, as residents face traumatic injuries and chronic conditions.

Ina Trofimenko, 47, was injured by shrapnel in her hometown Mykolaiv where fighting has been raging in the past week. Photo: Stefanie Glinski/Concern Worldwide
Ina Trofimenko, 47, was injured by shrapnel in her hometown Mykolaiv where fighting has been raging in the past week. Photo: Stefanie Glinski/Concern Worldwide
Ina Trofimenko, 47, holds a piece of shrapnel that injured her. Photo: Stefanie Glinski/Concern Worldwide
Ina Trofimenko, 47, holds a piece of shrapnel that injured her. Photo: Stefanie Glinski/Concern Worldwide
Ina Trofimenko, 47, recovers after receiving damage from shrapnel. Photo: Stefanie Glinski/Concern Worldwide
Ina Trofimenko, 47, recovers after receiving damage from shrapnel. Photo: Stefanie Glinski/Concern Worldwide
Ana, 39, was injured by shrapnel and is recovering in hopsital in Mykolaiv. Photo: Stefanie Glinski/Concern Worldwide
Ana, 39, was injured by shrapnel and is recovering in hopsital in Mykolaiv. Photo: Stefanie Glinski/Concern Worldwide
People from Odessa are fleeing the country: At Lviv train station, they are boarding another train heading towards the Polish border. Photo: Stefanie Glinski/Concern Worldwide
People from Odessa are fleeing the country: At Lviv train station, they are boarding another train heading towards the Polish border. Photo: Stefanie Glinski/Concern Worldwide

At Concern, we are working closely with our partners in Ukraine to provide impactful support to affected families. 



In addition to the United Nations and our Alliance2015 partners, we have partnered with the Czech NGO, People in Need, and French NGO, ACTED, to better deliver life-saving humanitarian aid both within Ukraine and at the borders.

This includes:

  • Delivering food, hygiene items, trauma kits, nappies, sleeping bags and mats
  • Providing essential supplies and supports to internally displaced families in Ukraine; access to clean water; psychosocial support for those traumatised by conflict and displacement via a telephone hotline.
  • Supporting Ukrainian people at border crossings by providing food to children on the roads leading to the border with Poland, assisting with the building of toilets and heated tents, and providing hygiene supplies such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo, and sanitary products.

What will happen next is unclear, but with your help we can respond and help families affected by the conflict through this crisis.

I want to donate
Share your concern
Share