Award Banner
Award Banner

90% of Ukrainian population could face poverty in protracted war: UNDP

90% of Ukrainian population could face poverty in protracted war: UNDP
A woman pushes a trolley with her belongings along a street damaged during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the separatist-controlled town of Volnovakha in the Donetsk region, Ukraine on March 15, 2022.
PHOTO: Reuters

GENEVA - Nine out of 10 Ukrainians could face poverty and extreme economic vulnerability if the war drags on over the next year, wiping out two decades of economic gains, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) said on Wednesday (March 16).

Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator, said that his agency was working with the Kyiv government to avoid a worst case scenario of the economy collapsing. It aimed to provide cash transfers to families to buy food to survive and keep them from fleeing while propping up basic services.

"If the conflict is a protracted one, if it were to continue, we are going to see poverty rates escalate very significantly," Steiner told Reuters.

"Clearly the extreme end of the scenario is an implosion of the economy as a whole. And that could ultimately lead to up to 90 per cent of people either being below the poverty line or being at high risk of (poverty)," he said in a video interview from New York.

The poverty line is generally defined as purchasing power of US$5.50 (S$7.50) to $13 per person per day, he added in a video interview from New York. Before Russia launched its invasion on Feb 24, an estimated two per cent of Ukrainians lived below the $5.50 line, he said.

Ukraine's top government economic adviser Oleg Ustenko said last Thursday that invading Russian forces have so far destroyed at least $100 billion worth of infrastructure and that 50 per cent of Ukrainian businesses had shut down completely.

"We estimate that up to 18 years of development gains of Ukraine could be simply be wiped out in a matter of 12 to 18 months," Steiner said.

Cash transfers

UNDP is looking at "tried and tested" programmes that it has used in other conflict situations, he said.

Read Also
War in Ukraine may 'fundamentally alter' global economic, political order: IMF
world
War in Ukraine may 'fundamentally alter' global economic, political order: IMF

"Cash transfers programmes particularly in a country such as Ukraine where the financial system and architecture is still functional, where ATMs are available, a critical way in which to reach people quickly is with cash transfers or a temporary basic income," he said.

The logistical challenges were significant but "not insurmountable", he said.

"Clearly some of the recent announcements by World Bank and International Monetary Fund in terms of credit lines and funding that is being made available will obviously assist Ukrainian authorities to be able to deploy such a programme," he said.

The UNDP report said that an emergency cash transfer operation, costing about $250 million per month, would cover partial income losses for 2.6 million people expected to fall into poverty. A more ambitious temporary basic income programme to provide $5.50 per day per person would cost $430 million a month.

Ukraine's economy is expected to contract by 10 per cent in 2022 as a result of Russia's invasion, but the outlook could worsen sharply if the conflict lasts longer, the IMF said in a staff report released on Monday.

The World Bank on Monday approved nearly $200 million in additional and reprogrammed financing to bolster Ukraine’s support of vulnerable people. The funding comes on top of $723 million approved last week and is part of a $3 billion package of support that the World Bank is racing to get to Ukraine and its people in coming weeks.

Steiner emphasised Ukraine's importance to the economies of other nations, especially a group of African nations who he said get a third of their wheat supplies from Ukraine and Russia.

"We are also trying to stabilise an economy that is for 45 African nations, least developed countries, the breadbasket for them," Steiner said.

READ ALSO: Japan PM says world's response to Russia could shape new era following post-Cold War period

homepage

trending

trending
    'It's very embarrassing': Sharon Au recounts faking her marriage in 2014
    St Joseph's Church stabbing: Accused given additional charges of being in possession of weapon
    Is roti john from Singapore or Malaysia? Radio DJs spark debate
    Pinnacle@Duxton sets new record with $1,502 psf after 4-room unit sells for about $1.52m
    From Spain to Singapore: Spanish performance brand Cupra relaunches in Singapore
    Laid to rest: Barbie Hsu's ashes interred, Wheesung funeral's condolence money to be donated
    Lee Si-young to divorce after 8 years of marriage
    From improv to tech start-ups: Here's how this Singaporean draws inspiration to make a positive change
    'It all burned': Food stall in Malaysia catches fire after rain falls on hot oil
    Strong winds in Hong Kong leave gondola worker 'hanging' in mid-air
    Government committed to making young parents' journey 'smooth and fulfilling', says PM Wong during Sengkang visit
    Singapore's harmony is precious and must always be cherished and protected: PM Lawrence Wong

Singapore

Singapore
    • 'Deliberately confrontational': Shanmugam calls out activists for disrupting PAP's meet-the-people sessions
    • Ex-Kinderland teacher gets jail for abusing children in her care
    • GE2025: 5 hot wards to watch
    • Suspected gang boss, who ran gambling dens in Geylang, arrested in Malaysia after 4 years on the run
    • Long delays at Woodlands checkpoint: Over 2-hour wait as school holidays start
    • Man to be charged for abusing airline staff and kicking wall at Changi Airport over lost phone
    • 'Spectacular sight': SM Lee shares stunning photo of rare sun halo over Singapore
    • SM Lee unveils future improvements in Ang Mo Kio, calls for residents' continued support
    • From serving passengers to taking flight: How an ex-SIA flight attendant fulfilled her dream of becoming a pilot
    • Keep off the tracks: SMRT issues warning after man climbed over barriers at Boon Lay MRT station to retrieve phone

Entertainment

Entertainment
    • Tay Ping Hui says acting in China was a 'super humbling experience'
    • Kim Soo-hyun admits to dating late Kim Sae-ron, refutes allegations she was underaged
    • Ya Hui toughs it out in new job as creative director: 'I'm not a flower you need to take care of'
    • 'Where am I supposed to say I'm from?' Jackson Wang addresses controversial clip of him saying 'I'm Chinese'
    • Die-hard Singapore fan recalls serenading Lady Gaga in LA, moving her to tears: 'That moment means the whole world to me'
    • Cassie Ventura expecting baby boy
    • Justin Theroux and Nicole Brydon Bloom married
    • Sir Elton John struggling to sign autographs after losing vision in right eye
    • Liam Payne fans dedicate commemorative bench in Buenos Aires cemetery
    • Ellen Pompeo says she won't let her daughter watch Grey's Anatomy

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
    • 2 Singapore pizzerias earn spots on 50 Top Pizza Asia-Pacific 2025 list
    • Luckin Coffee launches Maltese-themed drinks and limited-edition merchandise as part of collaboration
    • 23 local attractions offering SG60 deals, here's what Singaporeans can enjoy
    • Hunt the Mouse is back, with $100k worth of coins hidden at Sentosa waiting to be found
    • The one passion that drives this teen robotics whiz to keep innovating
    • All-new Skoda Superb Combi unveiled
    • The truth about dual-key living in Singapore: What 3 homeowners want you to know
    • Toyota Camry review: A classic nameplate that vastly amps up the luxury and fun factor
    • Dear teachers, I owe you an apology: Lessons I learnt as a parent
    • Neta X review: Affordable Chinese EV with more than a few flaws

Digicult

Digicult
    • A $500 wake-up call: How the Samsung Galaxy Ring made me realise my stress
    • Monster Hunter Wilds producer explains how game has remained unique and fresh over 20 years
    • China's Baidu launches 2 new AI models as industry competition heats up
    • China's top universities expand enrolment to beef up capabilities in AI, strategic areas
    • International Women's Day: Meet the Singapore women levelling up in gaming
    • US indicts slew of alleged Chinese hackers, sanctions company over spy campaign
    • Meet the women powering innovation in tech in Singapore and beyond
    • Games in March: JRPGs, co-op games and wrestling
    • Australia fines Telegram for delay in answering child abuse, terror questions
    • Embracing the future: A personal guide to how to get started with artificial intelligence

Money

Money
    • Amid AI push, DBS to cut 4,000 temp jobs over next 3 years
    • Singapore's economy grew 4.4% in 2024, beating forecasts
    • DBS to give staff $1,000 special bonus, introduce capital return dividend
    • Travel insurance for infectious diseases: What you need to know (2025)
    • Best bank offers in Singapore (March 2025): Lady Gaga concert presale, up to 50% off flights and more
    • How high will Singapore property prices get in 2025? Here's what AI predicts
    • Before you say 'I do' to a home: The checklist every newlywed couple needs in Singapore
    • Are older HDB maisonettes and jumbo flats worth the premium? A deep dive into pricing trends
    • This newly MOP-ed 4-room HDB flat at Bidadari sets new record with almost $800k profit
    • Chocolate Finance imposes $250 spending limit on debit card to manage demand for miles rewards

Latest

Latest
  • Rights group files lawsuit to block Trump deportations of pro-Palestinian protesters
  • Daily roundup: Strong winds in Hong Kong leave gondola worker 'hanging' in mid-air — and other top stories today
  • Foreign CEOs to flock to China for key summit, Xi meeting, sources say
  • Trump administration weighs travel ban on dozens of countries, memo says
  • Cockroaches and working in a closet: Inside Trump's return-to-office order
  • India's Modi says Trump has 'clear roadmap' in second term
  • Germany pledges $435m in aid for Syrians at EU conference
  • Thousands gather in Rio de Janeiro to demonstrate support for Bolsonaro
  • Trump says will speak with Putin on Tuesday to discuss ending Ukraine war

In Case You Missed It

In Case You Missed It
  • Malaysian woman stunned to find car trapped among diners after car park turns into outdoor eatery at night
  • Johor invests $1.5b in water treatment infrastructure to reduce dependency on Singapore after 2030
  • Ceiling collapses at KSL City Mall in JB, viral videos show
  • Food poisoning outbreak: 187 cases linked to Total Defence Day ready-to-eat meals, probe underway
  • Blazing car on Nicoll Highway: 1 dies, 2 taken to hospital
  • FairPrice giving away 75,000 sets of snacks and drinks to Muslim customers to break fast
  • Disabled Malaysian boy seen 'walking' with hands in school gets walkers from kind donors after TikTok video went viral
  • CDL's Kwek Leng Beng seeks to fire son Sherman as CEO over alleged 'attempted coup'
  • 10-year-old girl hurt by pebbles thrown from condo's 11th storey by toddler
This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.