KYIV, Ukraine – Despite numerous obstacles, a negotiated resolution remains the only viable path forward for the conflict in Ukraine, according to Barham Salih, the newly appointed head of the U.N. Refugee agency. Salih warned that humanitarian aid operations are facing increasing strain due to competing global crises, and that funding shortfalls are severely impacting the agency’s ability to provide assistance.
Salih, who previously served as Iraq’s president, assumed his role as UNHCR High Commissioner in December. His recent visit to Ukraine, including frontline cities such as Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia, was aimed at assessing the situation firsthand and discussing potential avenues for a peace agreement with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Discussions also centered on the future of UNHCR operations as Russia continues attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during the harsh winter months.
“You have to be hopeful, but I do understand the difficulties in the situation,” Salih stated in an interview. “It’s clear, of course, there are many, many impediments along the way, but at the end of the day, there is no military solution. There needs to be peace, a durable and just peace so that people can go back to their lives.” He emphasized the need to “redouble the effort to make sure that diplomacy has a chance and really bring about a durable and just peace to this war that has been going on for far too long.”
The UNHCR’s appeal for $470 million in funding for Ukraine has fallen significantly short, with only $150 million pledged. This shortfall is indicative of broader cuts across the humanitarian sector, making it increasingly difficult to deliver aid effectively in multiple ongoing crises. The agency reports that 3.7 million Ukrainians are currently displaced within the country, while nearly 6 million have sought refuge in Europe and other regions.
The agency’s report projects that 10.8 million Ukrainians will require humanitarian assistance in 2026. The most pressing needs are concentrated in the eastern and southern regions of Ukraine, along the front lines of the conflict, as well as in the northern border area. Escalating hostilities continue to generate new waves of displacement, exacerbating the humanitarian challenges.
The situation is further complicated by the competition for resources with other large-scale conflicts, notably in Sudan and Gaza. Salih’s schedule since taking office reflects this reality, with only one week spent at the UNHCR’s Geneva headquarters amidst travels to Kenya, Chad, Turkey, and Jordan to address refugee crises in those regions.
The erosion of global humanitarian infrastructure has been accelerated by drastic cuts to U.S. Humanitarian funding under the previous administration, severely undermining the ability of organizations to deliver aid. This funding reduction has had a ripple effect, impacting the capacity of international organizations to respond to crises effectively.
Globally, there are 117 million displaced people, including at least 42 million refugees, according to Salih. Two-thirds of these individuals face protracted displacement and remain reliant on humanitarian assistance. Determining how to prioritize aid allocation given dwindling resources presents a significant challenge.
“It’s really very difficult to prioritize given the scale of the problem,” Salih acknowledged. “I was in Kenya and I was in Chad recently and I was in Turkey and in Jordan talking to refugees from Syria. And of course, now in Ukraine, these are all pressing issues, pressing requirements.”
However, Salih stressed the importance of not only providing immediate assistance but also focusing on “durable solutions” and fostering self-reliance. “It’s not a matter of sustaining dependency or humanitarian assistance,” he said. In his discussions with President Zelenskyy, the focus was on the “recovery phase and sustainable solutions and self-reliance as we go forward.”
The UNHCR’s appeal for Ukraine underscores the urgent need for increased international support. The agency’s ability to effectively respond to the humanitarian crisis hinges on securing adequate funding and maintaining a sustained commitment from the global community. The shortfall in pledged funds highlights the growing gap between the needs of vulnerable populations and the resources available to assist them.
The long-term implications of the conflict in Ukraine extend beyond the immediate humanitarian crisis. The displacement of millions of people has significant economic and social consequences, both for Ukraine and for the countries hosting refugees. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that includes not only humanitarian aid but also long-term development assistance and support for sustainable solutions.
