b'Soroptimist InternationalReport for the High-Level Political Forumwe are going through the most terrible days and nights in Ukrainewe feel helpless that so many innocent people are suffering and dying againwe do not know how the next night will goI myself shared my room with women from war zones in the East. This time there are many. And they ask for help and need support. A Soroptimist in Uzhhorod (translated from German)understoodaslegitimateandcompetentContext: humanitarian actors. This is the case even thoughOn the 24 thFebruary 2022 Russia invaded Ukraine, CSOscontinuetoachievetheiraimandrapidlyinclearviolationofinternationallaw.Sincethe expand their projects and programmes during timesinvasion, 14 million have fled their homes, and there of crisis. vihas been widespread reports and evidence of war crimes, crimes against humanity and human rights violations. vii Sexualandgender-basedviolence, extra-judicialkillings,indiscriminatekillingof civiliansandotherallegedcrimeshavebeen recorded by experts and journalists.Withinweeksoftheinvasion,over6.6million people, the vast majority women and children, left Ukraine, with an estimated further 7 million being internallydisplaced. Neighbouringcountrieswere quicktowelcomerefugees,withcivilsociety organisations,includingSoroptimistInternational, mobilising to find accommodation, essential goods andimproveaccesstoservices.Polandand Romania were among the countries taking in the most refugees, with them each welcoming over 3.5 million and 950,000 refugees respectively. viiiConclusions & Recommendations: CSOs are able to mobilise quickly and effectively during times of crisis. They must be considered as firstresponders and should receive greater access to funding streams and should be used by governmentsand other organisations as a cost-effective mechanism to get aid to the most vulnerable.Women and girls are often disproportionately affected by the impacts of war. All alleged crimes during war must be investigated, prosecutes and special attention must be given to gender-based violence and crimes. If necessary, universal jurisdiction should be used to ensure accountability. With women andchildren being helped to leave Ukraine, special support should be given in their new countries of residence to achieve justice. Women and girls are able to be effective peacebuilders; the women, peace and security agenda mustbe fully achieved and implemented urgently. To achieve lasting peace in Ukraine, women must constitute half of those at the negotiation table.19'