Europe

Ukrainian refugees in a reception center a few miles from the border in Moldova.
Gonzalo Höhr
Action Against Hunger, Moldova

The war in Ukraine has driven millions of people from their homes, displacing them throughout Europe.

Ukrainian refugees face winter weather as they board a bus and cross the border into Moldova.
A woman asks for help at a shelter for Ukrainian refugees.
Staff and volunteers distribute hot meals and drinks to Ukrainian refugees.

The state of hunger in Europe

The humanitarian situation in Ukraine remains critical, with ongoing conflict severely disrupting access to essential services like water, electricity, and healthcare. This has resulted in 14.6 million people needing assistance and a refugee crisis that is profoundly affecting neighboring countries.

Beyond the direct consequences of the war, Europe is also grappling with significant challenges to food security and poverty. In countries like France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, the rising cost of living is making healthy diets unaffordable for vulnerable families.

The Causes of Hunger
Action Against Hunger UK partners YO Sushi hold a sushi making workshop for school children in Smethwick
14%

Of Households Experience Food Insecurity In The United Kingdom

Where we work in Europe

A damaged residential apartment building following shelling

Armenia

Vulnerabilities in Armenia remain high because of political instability, climate change, and social inequalities.

A solidarity market in May 2024 in the northern districts of Marseille with the aim of making organic and quality products accessible to residents at affordable prices.

France

More than 9 million French people live below the poverty line.

A woman cooks over an open flame in her home.

Georgia

Our teams promote entrepreneurship and social inclusion projects throughout Georgia.

A building with a colorful wall in Italy

Italy

Families across Italy are exposed to increasing social and economic vulnerability.

Ukrainian refugees face winter weather as they cross the border into Moldova.

Moldova

One of the poorest countries in Europe, Moldova is struggling to support the influx of refugees.

Action Against Hunger responding to the wreckage of Storm Dana in Valencia, Spain in November 2024.

Spain

Action Against Hunger offers employment and training programs for people at risk of social exclusion and provides financial aid to families.

Destruction after a shelling in North Kiev

Ukraine

War in Ukraine has taken lives, destroyed homes and livelihoods, and forced millions of people to flee.

Pantry workers organizing food in Somerset, UK

United Kingdom

Action Against Hunger supports partners in southeast London and the Midlands to run community food pantries.

A woman at a rally in support of the people of Ukraine.
Annabelle Chih
REUTERS
Two aid workers in a warehouse full of emergency supplies to help Ukrainian refugees.
Dolores Posadas
Action Against Hunger, Moldova
Ukrainian refugees arrive by bus in Palanca, a town on the border of Moldova and Ukraine.
Gonzalo Höhr
Action Against Hunger, Moldova

The fear is so great it’s impossible to describe. As teachers, we told the children of genocides, wars and hunger in class. But what do you say now when you see it? We couldn’t find the words.”

— Irina, Natalia, and Olha, refugees from Kharkiv, Ukraine

Action Against Hunger is supporting Ukrainian refugees and displaced families with essential supplies, cash, and mental health care.

Take care of your children. Take care of your parents. Spend more time with them.”

— Alexandria, Ukrainian refugee

How Action Against Hunger Supports Ukrainians Fleeing Conflict

Emergency Support for Ukraine

Across Europe, Action Against Hunger provides emergency and longer-term support to people impacted by the war in Ukraine.

Inside Ukraine, our top priorities are to:

  • provide mental health support
  • strengthen the health system to meet increasing health needs,
  • support local traders to ensure access to essential goods
  • provide emergency cash assistance
  • support health supply chains so that medicines and other medical necessities reach areas of active conflict

In neighboring countries in Europe, Action Against Hunger helps refugees by:

  • improving access to safe sanitation and clean water
  • distributing meals and basic items such as beds and blankets
  • providing mental health support
  • setting up child-friendly spaces
  • providing emergency cash transfers to vulnerable families

Where Else We Fight Hunger

Around the world, our 8,000+ aid workers help families in hard-to-reach communities facing hunger because of conflict, climate change, and more.

Africa

Africa

We prevent and treat hunger in more than 20 countries in Africa.

Latin America & the Caribbean

Latin America & the Caribbean

We help families deal with poverty and climate change in the Americas.

Asia

Asia

We tackle the root causes of hunger in Asia, and help communities impacted by conflict.

Middle East

Middle East

Across the Middle East, we support communities devastated by climate disasters and conflicts.

Explore More

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