Summit for Ukraine Recovery: We live an escalation of the conflict

During July 10 and 11, Rome has been the headquarters of the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC25), an international summit focused on defining concrete strategies for the reconstruction of Ukraine, devastated after more than three years of large -scale war.

When this conference began to be planned, it was expected that it could be held in a context of high fire or negotiated peace. However, reality is very different.

“We live an escalation of the conflict,” says the president of Cáritas Ukraine, Tetiana Stawnychy, one of the most authorized voices on the humanitarian situation in the country.

One of the most alarming data offered by Stawnychy refers to the growing volume of air attacks. “Last year, the number of drones attacks was between 300 and 400 per month. From August an escalation began: we passed a thousand a month, and in April there were already four thousand drones thrown. Now the figure continues to rise,” he says.

And he adds with concern: “Three days ago there were 750 drones in one night. It is a combined escalation, because the attacks also include cruise missiles and ballistic missiles.”

According to Stawnychy, this reality aggravates collective trauma and pressure on emergency infrastructure, many already damaged or collapsed.

The context of prolonged crisis makes humanitarian management difficult: “There are areas with obvious emergencies as in the front line and in civil areas where Russians are attacking cities,” he explains.

In this sense, he details that in these regions an immediate humanitarian response is needed: “Evacuations, attention to basic needs, emergency help because houses are being destroyed and people are being displaced.”

During the Ukraine Recovery Conference held in Rome, the president of the European Commission (CE), Ursula von der Leyen, announced the creation of an ambitious European fund for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Financing agreements to Ukraine for a total of 10,000 million euros

This new financial instrument will have as a central objective attract private investments to complement public aid. In parallel, new financing agreements were confirmed for a total of 10,000 million euros, a figure below 16,000 million committed in the previous conference held in Berlin in 2024.

In any case, the most optimistic estimates calculate that the total reconstruction of Ukraine will require, when the time comes, an investment close to 500,000 million euros.

Organized jointly by the governments of Ukraine and Germany, this fourth edition of the Conference – after those of Lugano, London and Berlin – has brought together about 100 official delegations, 40 international organizations, some 2,000 companies – including about 500 Italian – and numerous representatives of local governments and civil society organizations.

For the head of Cáritas Ukraine, the recovery of the country “is only possible if people are in the center of the process. If people are taken care of, the foundation for recovery is built.”

The challenge of serving the most vulnerable

In addition to immediate help, the head of Cáritas Ukraine underlines the need for continuous accompaniment, especially for internal displaced people who have lost their social and family networks: “The greatest challenge is to serve the most vulnerable: elderly, large families, people with disabilities … Many find it extremely difficult to adapt to a completely new environment, torn from their communities.”

According to United Nations estimates, 13 million people will need humanitarian aid in 2025. This means, as Stawnychy progresses, that one in three Ukrainians “needs some kind of assistance this year.” In addition, he states, “one in two is being repeatedly affected by war.”

Stawnychy placed special emphasis on a growing gap of attention in regions of the center and west of the country. “Humanitarian aid is concentrated near the front or border line with Russia. But in the center and west of the country there are also displaced people who need continuous support until they can fend for themselves or enter the social protection system of Ukraine,” he denounces.

In this sense, it highlights that there is currently “an urgent need for shelters for the elderly who have no family and present mobility problems.”

“We are talking about medium or long term solutions, especially in areas where assistance is increasingly limited,” he says.

The key to reconstruction: Resilient communities

Within the framework of URC 2025, Caritas Ukraine participated in various work tables to share experiences from the field. “Our message is that the recovery is built from below. If we work with people and with local communities to stabilize and accompany them, we can take steps towards recovery,” Stawnychy insists that it also points out that the objective of humanitarian aid is always leaving the crisis and returning to a normal social care system.

From its perspective, the event in Rome has been a strategic opportunity: “It is very positive to gather in the same space representatives of the government, local communities, companies and civil society. Thus networks are woven, cooperation platforms are built. In Ukraine the crisis is so large that everyone is needed. No sector can do this only.”

Beyond the technical results, the symbolic aspect also tells: “The solidarity expressed in these summits is vital. It is a gesture that reminds us that we are not alone and that the world continues to support Ukraine.”

Finally, Stawnychy called on prayer for Ukraine. “We feel greatly the power of prayer, and that was even more important to us than any other form of help,” he concludes.