On October 10, Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Mariana Betsa held a meeting with the newly appointed Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Ukraine Bernadette Castel-Hollingsworth.

Mariana Betsa congratulated her interlocutor on the start of her work in Ukraine and noted the high level of cooperation between Ukraine and UNHCR in the context of overcoming the negative consequences of the Russian war of aggression against our country.

“We are grateful to UNHCR for the support that millions of Ukrainians in the most affected regions of our country receive on a daily basis. We count on UNHCR's continued assistance, especially in the context of preparing for the winter period,” emphasized Mariana Betsa.

UNHCR remains one of Ukraine's leading partners in the protection and support of displaced persons, both within the country and in refugee-hosting states. Since February 2022, UNHCR has mobilized more than US$1.5 billion to assist more than 2.2 million Ukrainians.

" I am honored and humbled to take up this role and begin my journey with UNHCR in Ukraine. As the war continues with displacement, destruction and despair in its wake, the need for joint action and a coordinated response is key, and I am committed to continue the strong partnerships that UNHCR has long enjoyed with the Ukrainian government, authorities, civil society, communities and international donors,” said Bernadette Castel-Hollingsworth.

The parties also discussed in detail possible ways to strengthen UNHCR's operational activities and discussed the prospects for implementing a number of joint projects.