Life-saving, efficient and secure: humanitarian aid that gives refugees choices

Why does UNHCR put money in the hands of people forced to flee?

Possessing a small amount of money transforms the lives of people who have fled conflict and persecution, leaving everything they own behind. Survival funds help to pay for a roof over your head, to put food on the table, get access to health care and medicines, send your kids to school, and more.

In 2024, UNHCR delivered $656 million to 5.3 million people in over 100 countries - from Ukraine to Syria, Bangladesh to Sudan and Afghanistan, and beyond.

And it is highly effective. By placing the decision-making and spending power directly in the hands of recipients, it ensures that humanitarian assistance is responsive to the needs of the moment, adaptable and efficient. Letting refugees decide what they need most and giving them the means to buy it is not only the most efficient way of doing things but also gives them back a sense of dignity and control, instead of being entirely dependent on others. It therefore means they can stabilize their situation and start to rebuild.

Winter assistance in Ukraine

In the freezing depths of the Ukrainian winter, having the money to stay warm was literally a lifesaver for Anatolii and Valentyna. Their village, in the Sumy region, is less than 10km away from the Russian border.

"For pensioners like us, this assistance means so much," Anatolii said. "This is our home, and we are not leaving."

Read Anatolii's full story