EU boosts UNHCR winter aid to help vulnerable war-impacted Ukrainians

As Ukraine prepares for a fourth winter of full-scale war, the European Union (EU) has announced an additional € 12 million in support to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. This additional contribution will help deliver life-saving winter assistance to 359,000 people hardest hit by the war.

UNHCR’s winter response targets primarily vulnerable families and individuals living in areas very close to the frontline or border. People in these areas face winter in war-damaged houses, often with disrupted services and no energy. Many of those affected are older people, or live with chronic illnesses or disabilities, making them especially vulnerable as the cold sets in. 

Winter’s freezing temperatures creates a crisis within a crisis, exacerbating the already difficult humanitarian situation of millions of displaced and otherwise war-affected Ukrainians. The consequences of Russia’s targeted attacks on energy infrastructure in Ukraine – more than 30 in September alone – may prove to further worsen the conditions with potential power outages affecting everyone. 

“These activities provide a crucial lifeline to Ukraine’s most vulnerable and war-affected people, as they face yet another challenging winter,” says Bernadette Castel-Hollingsworth, UNHCR Representative in Ukraine. “Freezing temperatures exacerbate an already perilous situation for vulnerable people, particularly those facing unspeakable trauma and uncertainty in frontline communities. We are grateful to the European Union for this timely and generous contribution.”

“With this additional funding, the EU reaffirms its steadfast support to the people of Ukraine”, says Marianna Franco, Head of the EU Humanitarian Aid office in Ukraine. “As winter approaches, many war-affected families are struggling to survive in damaged homes and without reliable access to energy. Our partnership with UNHCR ensures that the most vulnerable and those living close to the frontlines receive critical assistance to stay safe and warm during the harsh months ahead.”

UNHCR aims to reach 359,000 people in close proximity to the frontline or border as well as very vulnerable war-affected people in other areas with cash assistance, if the necessary funding is received. This will allow them to purchase for example firewood or solid fuel to heat their homes or buy needed winter clothing. This is implemented in collaboration with Ukraine’s Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity, the Pension Fund and the regional state administrations under the coordination of the Office of the President. 

UNHCR is also helping families stay warm by providing insulation kits, installing heaters, and carrying out winter repairs on war-damaged homes or in collective sites, that are hosting some of the most vulnerable displaced people in facilities that were not meant for long-term accommodation. In collective sites, UNHCR will also support upgrading of heating systems and insulation of heating pipes to minimize the costs of utilities. These efforts will benefit more than 30,000 people. 

In Ukraine, UNHCR’s winter response is part of a coordinated, collective effort of UN agencies and NGO partners to complement and support the Government’s leadership in keeping the most vulnerable and war-affected safe and warm this winter.

The new contribution from the EU adds to the generous funding agreement of € 36.8 million, provided to UNHCR work in Ukraine earlier this year. Moreover, the EU has provided a total of €4 million in financial support to UNHCR’s response to support refugees from Ukraine in Moldova, as outlined in the Ukraine Refugee Response Plan. 

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About EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid: The European Union and its Member States are among the world's leading donors of humanitarian aid. Relief assistance is an expression of European solidarity with people in need all around the world. It aims to save lives, prevent and alleviate human suffering, and safeguard the integrity and human dignity of populations affected by disasters and human-induced crises. Through the Directorate General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations of the European Commission, the European Union helps millions of victims of conflict and disasters every year. With headquarters in Brussels and a global network of field offices, the EU provides assistance to the most vulnerable people on the basis of humanitarian needs.

About UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency: UNHCR is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people. UNHCR has been present in Ukraine since 1994, providing protection services and assistance to help refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, war-affected and stateless people access their rights and essential services and find sustainable solutions.