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The United Nations on Monday announced a major increase in its urgent appeal for humanitarian aid to Ukraine, estimating $4.3 billion is needed between March and the end of the year.

“Funding requirements have increased by 2.25 billion [estimés en avril] 4.3 billion”, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ spokesman Stephane Dujarric said during a press conference. The April call for donations covers the period from March to August, but is extended to the end of the year “As the situation worsened” And the onset of cold weather, he noted.

More than a quarter of Ukraine’s population, 17.7 million men, women and children, will need humanitarian assistance in the coming months, about 2 million more than the April estimate.He insisted.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 11.7 million people in Ukraine benefited from humanitarian assistance at least once between the end of February and the end of July. And, after five months of war, “Continue to grow”He said in his demand assessment report released on Monday. “Millions of people across the country have experienced months of intense hostilities without adequate access to food, water, sanitation, education and other essential services.”he added.

After the first emergency appeal launched by the UN, 2.38 billion dollars have already been collected, a support “unprecedented”, commented Stéphane Dujarric. This new call for donations, which will last until December, is in principle the last. But, “In the coming winter, the situation may worsen”He noted.