Three years of full-scale war have made Ukraine one of the most complex and dangerous humanitarian environments in the world. As of early 2025, 12.7 million people — 36 per cent of the population — need urgent assistance. Yet, delivering aid in such a context requires close, effective, and practical collaboration between humanitarian and security actors. Convoys navigate active conflict zones, aid workers face missile strikes, and access to communities in need remains unpredictable. This is where UNDSS makes the difference.
The Security Framework Behind Humanitarian Operations
Supporting 30 UN Agencies, Funds, and Programmes across Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipro, Kharkiv, and Odesa, UNDSS enables aid workers to reach communities in need by securing access and mitigating risks in volatile areas.
The security situation continues to deteriorate. Eastern Ukraine has faced the highest number of aerial strikes, with key infrastructure and densely populated areas increasingly targeted. Despite escalating threats, there have been no injuries to UN personnel in high-risk zones — an outcome of UNDSS’ rigorous risk assessment, rapid emergency response, and proactive security measures.
A Network Built for Rapid Response
At the core of this effort is the 24/7 Operational Security Centre in Kyiv, which monitors evolving threats, coordinates emergency responses, and ensures real-time communication between UN agencies, humanitarian partners, and local responders. Beyond Kyiv, UNDSS personnel in Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Odesa operate in some of the most dangerous parts of the country, often as the only permanent security presence for humanitarian actors in those areas. Their immediate on-the-ground support allows for rapid decision-making and crisis response in locations where seconds can mean the difference between a successful operation and a mission that never arrives.
Adapting to an Escalating Conflict
As hostilities intensify along the front lines and northern border regions, humanitarian needs are growing, and the risks are multiplying. Growing needs and mounting risks require a continuous scaling of security efforts. Without UNDSS, access becomes uncertain and risks multiply.
