The UN Development Programme on Monday launched a plan to provide immediate economic help and longer-term assistance to millions of struggling Ukrainians left without basic needs in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“The war in Ukraine continues to inflict immense human suffering…with nine out of 10 people at risk of falling into poverty.

“As part of a coordinated UN response, UNDP has an unwavering commitment to stay and deliver for the people of Ukraine,” Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator, said.

The plan aims to counter the devastation that has been caused by the shelling of cities and early projections that two decades of economic progress could be lost if the war continues.

Mr Steiner insisted that it was vital to ensure that local economies continued to function and that people’s livelihoods were protected.

The announcement came as the World Bank issued an alert that Ukraine’s economy is set to shrink by 45 per cent in 2022 because of the war.

The World Bank also noted that, hit by unprecedented sanctions, Russia’s economy has already plunged into a deep recession with output projected to contract by 11.2 per cent in 2022.

To help empower women and girls, UNDP insists that they must have fair access to basic needs and livelihood support – including business support and access to finance, networks and markets.

Outside Ukraine, the impact of the Russian invasion has already translated to serious concerns among humanitarians about global food insecurity, as production in Ukraine of many cereals and other staples has been hit.

Sanctions on Moscow have also hit economies around the globe, according to World Bank, which said that emerging markets and developing countries in Europe and Central Asia were expected to “bear the brunt”. 

(NAN)