Open Call for Emergency Response Programme (Ukraine)

Deadline: 07-Sep-2026

UNICEF is seeking implementing partners to support emergency preparedness and humanitarian response for conflict-affected communities and families with children in western and central Ukraine. The programme covers emergency supply management, cash registration, case management, evacuation support, risk and contingency planning, light rehabilitation of education and health facilities, humanitarian procurement, monitoring, and referrals for mental health and psychosocial support.

About the UNICEF Emergency Preparedness and Response Programme

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is seeking qualified partners to support emergency preparedness and response activities for communities affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The programme focuses particularly on children and families facing emergency situations, helping ensure that essential humanitarian assistance can be delivered quickly and safely. The initiative combines emergency response with preparedness, local coordination, child-focused support, humanitarian supply management, and recovery of essential community services. Programme Locations The programme covers priority communities across western and central Ukraine, including the following oblasts: Lvivska Volynska Chernivetska Kyiv Rivnenska Zakarpatska Ternopilska Ivano-Frankivska Vinnytsia Chernihivska Zhytomyrska Khmelnytska Activities will be implemented according to local needs and the humanitarian situation in priority communities. Key Objectives The programme aims to strengthen the ability of communities and local response systems to prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Its main objectives include:

Delivering timely humanitarian assistance to affected families. Ensuring safe storage and distribution of emergency supplies. Supporting children and families during emergency situations. Strengthening local emergency preparedness. Improving coordination with local authorities. Supporting evacuation and case management. Maintaining essential education and health services. Identifying mental health and psychosocial support needs. Strengthening humanitarian monitoring and reporting. What Activities Will Partners Implement? Selected implementing partners will carry out several interconnected emergency preparedness and response activities. Emergency Supply Storage and Distribution Partners will be responsible for the safe storage and organized distribution of UNICEF prepositioned emergency supplies. Other emergency response supplies provided by UNICEF. Distributions will be based on assessed community needs and priority emergency requirements. Partners will need to maintain appropriate storage, inventory, distribution, monitoring, and reporting systems. Cash Registration for Affected Families Partners will support the organization of cash registration for families with children affected by emergencies. This activity is intended to help eligible households access humanitarian assistance when they face urgent needs because of conflict or other emergency situations. Partners will coordinate the registration process in accordance with UNICEF requirements and applicable humanitarian procedures. Case Management for Children and Families The programme includes basic case management for affected children and families. Connecting affected people with appropriate services. Following up on identified protection and support needs. A child-centred approach is expected throughout implementation. Emergency Evacuation Support Implementing partners may also support evacuation activities for affected communities. This can involve coordination with local authorities, identification of families requiring assistance, support during emergency movements, and coordination of humanitarian services. The goal is to ensure that vulnerable families, particularly those with children, can receive appropriate support during evacuation situations. Coordination With Local Authorities Local coordination is a core component of the programme.

Partners will liaise with authorities to

Identify emerging humanitarian needs. Determine priority communities. Coordinate emergency assistance. Share information about affected populations. Facilitate timely delivery of supplies and services. Strengthen local emergency preparedness. Effective coordination will help prevent duplication and ensure available resources are directed toward the most urgent needs. Risk Assessments and Contingency Planning Partners will contribute to emergency preparedness by developing and regularly updating localized risk assessments and contingency plans. A localized risk assessment identifies potential hazards, vulnerable populations, available resources, and gaps in emergency response capacity. Contingency plans can establish procedures for responding to potential emergency scenarios.

These plans may address:

Emergency risks. Population vulnerabilities. Supply requirements. Evacuation arrangements. Essential service continuity. Local response capacity. Referral mechanisms. Coordination responsibilities. Regular updates are important because humanitarian conditions can change rapidly. Rehabilitation of Education and Health Facilities The programme also includes light rehabilitation of educational and health facilities following strikes. The purpose is to help restore facilities so that essential services can continue operating for children and communities. Eligible rehabilitation activities must be implemented according to UNICEF requirements and based on assessed needs. Emergency Procurement

Partners may support the procurement of emergency supplies where required

Procurement activities must comply with UNICEF protocols and procedures. Partners should maintain appropriate documentation and ensure that procurement decisions are transparent, needs-based, and consistent with programme requirements. Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Conflict and displacement can create significant mental health and psychosocial sup