Ukraine press release

Acted and the Estonian Refugee Council (ERC) extended their cash assistance program in Ukraine with the EU’s support

June 1st, 2024 – Ukraine. With funding from EU Humanitarian Aid, Acted and the Estonian Refugee Council (ERC) will leverage their extensive experience in cash and livelihoods assistance in Ukraine to implement a highly targeted cash program focused on rural, peri-urban, and frontline areas.

During this 12-month project, Acted and the Estonian Refugee Council (ERC) will deliver emergency multi-purpose cash (MPC) assistance to 14,076 conflict-affected individuals across Ukraine. Both partners also aim to enhance linkages between beneficiaries and Ukrainian social protection assistance benefits by establishing a structured referral mechanism with a local partner.

In addition, Acted and ERC will scale up their pilot emergency livelihoods assistance program to support 3,000 individuals in rural conflict-affected communities with restoration and subsistence grants, reducing dependence on humanitarian MPC. Since July 2023, Acted already reached 546 households with this assistance, primarily in rural areas.

“The provision of emergency livelihood grants supports affected and vulnerable populations in meeting their urgent needs. The grant activity established gives beneficiaries food security and/or the possibility to generate stable income.”

Ivan Luchak, Emergency Livelihoods Project Coordinator.

By providing cash assistance to conflict-affected individuals, Acted and ERC will alleviate both ongoing needs in severely conflict-affected locations and sudden-onset needs resulting from aerial strikes across the country.

Indeed, cash is one of the most cost-effective ways to support the population in areas where markets and the banking system are still functioning. It also ensures people’s dignity and autonomy, by allowing them to use the assistance to meet their priority needs.