WFP expands complementary social assistance programme in Ukraine to people living with disabilities

The programme is designed to complement the government’s social assistance paid to the most vulnerable Ukrainians during the war while also supporting a sustainable transition from humanitarian response to more resilient national systems.  

Since the programme was launched in August 2023, 400,000 pensioners living in areas of active or possible hostilities have received payments from WFP totalling US$28 million (UAH 1 billion).  

In line with the decree of the Cabinet of the Ministers of Ukraine, WFP will now expand this complementary cash assistance – for at least 3 consecutive months – to adults with childhood-onset disabilities and children with disabilities. As a result, WFP will distribute approximately US$21 million (UAH 800 million). 

To be eligible for the complementary payment from WFP, people in these categories should meet additional conditions:  

• Are not receiving cash assistance from other international organisations; 
• Are not receiving a housing allowance for internally displaced people (except in areas of active or possible hostilities as defined by the Ministry of Reintegration); 
• Receive less than UAH 3,250 of social allowance from the state. 

The payment from WFP is a top-up at a minimum of UAH 100. It is calculated as the difference between UAH 3,250 and the amount of social allowance a person already receives from the state. 

“The war is having a lasting effect on Ukraine’s economy and continues to make life difficult for the most vulnerable families and those living near the frontline,” said Marianne Ward, WFP Country Director a.i. in Ukraine. “We are grateful to Germany, one of our major humanitarian partners, for enabling us to expand this programme and help more families make ends meet during this harsh winter.” 

The complementary cash assistance from WFP is paid directly to the bank accounts of eligible recipients or delivered by the postal service for recipients without a bank account who already receive social assistance payments in this way. No registration with WFP or the Ministry of Social Policy is required. 

“The synergy of actions of the Government, the Ministry of Social Policy and international partners enables additional financial support to Ukrainians who need it most. We are grateful to the humanitarian organizations that, during the war, continue to actively help Ukraine and complement social payments from the state with additional financial aid," said Ukrainian Minister of Social Policy Oksana Zholnovich. 

The initiative is currently funded by Germany, the European Union, Norway and Sweden, with additional contributions from private donors. 

Overall, since February 2022, WFP distributed more than US$550 million in cash assistance to Ukrainians. Cash assistance is one of many ways WFP supports Ukrainians – WFP also distributes food rations in areas near the frontlines, finances daily meals for schoolchildren and supports rural families with mine action programmes to recover productive agricultural land. 

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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. 

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