Annual Ukraine Localization Survey 2024

Less Than 1% of Humanitarian Funding for Ukraine Goes Directly to Local Organizations

Almost three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, international actors still monopolize humanitarian response funding, leadership, and policy influence. Despite global commitments to localize humanitarian responses and clear cost efficiencies in doing so, less than 1 percent of almost $10 billion in humanitarian funding tracked by the UN has gone directly to local and national non-governmental organizations (L/NNGOs) in Ukraine. Even though donors perceive L/NNGOs as more risky – and say this is one major factor holding back direct support – across 32 donors, INGOs, and UN Agencies, none reported a substantial, confirmed case of corruption by Ukrainian partners to date, according to a new survey.

East SOS and Refugees International’s prepared Annual Ukraine Localization Survey 2024. Notable findings include:

1. International responders acknowledge that L/NNGOs do the majority of the frontline delivery work but receive a minority of funding.
2. Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA), the largest single type of internationally financed humanitarian intervention in Ukraine, is overwhelmingly managed by UN agencies and INGOs, with only 3.4% handled end-to-end by L/NNGOs.
3. International respondents know what provisions and practices are vital for localization, but most have not changed their written policies or monitoring approaches.

Direct funding for L/NNGOs is widely recognized as crucial for improving humanitarian responses around the world. This helps to ensure that local and national responders will endure even after international aid declines.

The Annual Ukraine Localization Survey was made possible by a grant from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP).

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