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As winter is now setting in across Ukraine, the European Union (EU) has contributed an additional €26,4 million to support the crucial winter response that UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is already rolling out country-wide. Freezing temperatures, coupled with a challenging energy situation caused by the Russian Federation’s repeated attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, are exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation of millions of displaced and other war-affected people.
This timely contribution adds to the €17.5 million that the European Union had previously provided to UNHCR’s Ukraine operation in 2024 – as well as the €4 million in financial support given to UNHCR’s response towards refugees from Ukraine in Moldova, as outlined in the Ukraine Refugee Response Plan.
The generous funding from the EU will help UNHCR support the most vulnerable among the war-affected people. They have already lived through more than 1,000 days of full-scale war and continue to face the threat of massive attacks and shelling and now also freezing temperatures, at a time when Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been severely damaged by targeted attacks.
UNHCR’s 2024-2025 winter response includes cash assistance to vulnerable households who do not have access to centralized heating or cannot rely on gas. The cash assistance allows them to purchase solid fuel to heat their homes and is implemented together with the Ministry of Social Policy and the Pension Fund of Ukraine. It aims to reach 57,000 of the most vulnerable households countrywide.
Another winter cash programme is aimed to reach war-affected people living in frontline communities, who are already struggling to make ends meet and cover basic necessities, to help them pay the increased expenses for heating. This is carried out in cooperation with Ukraine’s Ministry of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories and aims to reach 71,000 households.
In addition, UNHCR is distributing rapid thermal kits to families with items that will allow them to quickly and easily insulate their homes from the cold. UNHCR is also doing repair works, such as installing new high-quality windows and repairing damaged roofs, in war-damaged homes and in collective sites hosting displaced people, to improve the living conditions and warmth.
“Right now, it’s a top priority for UNHCR to support people across the country who are facing their third winter in the midst of full-scale war and urgently need this assistance to remain in their homes and get through the cold months. I am very grateful to the EU for this generous and extremely timely additional contribution. The European Union is already one of our strongest and most reliable partners, and a top donor to UNHCR’s programmes in Ukraine. This funding will truly make a big difference in the lives of so many Ukrainians, and practically demonstrate that solidarity with the people of Ukraine is still strong” says Karolina Lindholm Billing, UNHCR Representative in Ukraine.
“With temperatures below -20°C and relentless shelling, millions of Ukrainians face harsh conditions in damaged homes. Supporting them through these hardships is paramount to the EU. With our partner UNHCR, we are providing cash assistance, materials, and repairs to help them face the cold months ahead,” says Janez Lenarčič, EU Commissioner for Crisis Management.
