By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS UN and humanitarian partners on Thursday launched a $277 million appeal to support the most vulnerable people in Ukraine during the winter season as the war in Ukraine have left millions without unreliable heating and limited means to pay rising utility costs.
The escalating hostilities and continued strikes on critical infrastructure, Ukraine is bracing for another harsh winter.
The Winter Response Plan aims to deliver essential multisectoral humanitarian assistance to over 1.7 million people from October through March as the cold season risks people near the frontline, displaced persons living in collective sites, and other vulnerable populations,.
The plan caters to the most vulnerable groups, including older people, persons with disabilities, and children and serving as a tool for advocacy, resource mobilization and coordination with Government authorities.
Mathias Schmale UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine said “As temperatures drop, millions across Ukraine will struggle to keep warm -especially in communities near the front line and among vulnerable displaced people.”
UN relief agencies will help insulate and repair damaged homes, provide heaters, fuel, blankets, and warm clothing, prepare shelters for extreme cold, deliver cash for heating and utilities, and coordinate services in high-risk areas.
“Every winter puts additional strain on people already worn down by years of war,” Mr. Schmale said.
He noted the areas most affected by cold in the winter are predominantly concentrated in northern and eastern Ukraine along the frontline.
He added that people in these areas are exposed to harsh winter conditions, compounded by heightened vulnerability, and severely damaged infrastructure resulting from ongoing conflict and persistent airstrikes.
UN agencies stressed that displaced people residing in collective sites are among the most vulnerable during winter, as recent monitoring of such sites indicates that 60 per cent of these sites continue to face winter-related gaps.
