As Ukraine faces its fourth winter amid full-scale war, the European Union (EU) has announced an additional €12 million in support to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to provide life-saving winter assistance to 359,000 of the most vulnerable people affected by the conflict. The funding targets primarily families and individuals living near the frontline or border, who endure harsh winter conditions in damaged homes with disrupted services and limited access to energy. Many of those affected are older adults or people with chronic illnesses or disabilities, making them especially susceptible to the cold.
The winter season intensifies the already critical humanitarian situation for millions of displaced and war-affected Ukrainians. Targeted attacks on energy infrastructure, with more than 30 strikes in September alone, further threaten to exacerbate power outages and living conditions. UNHCR, with EU support, aims to mitigate these risks by providing essential assistance to help vulnerable populations survive the harsh winter months.
UNHCR’s winter response includes cash assistance to enable people to buy firewood, solid fuel, or winter clothing, in collaboration with Ukraine’s Ministry of Social Policy, Pension Fund, and regional authorities. The agency also provides insulation kits, installs heaters, and carries out winter repairs in war-damaged homes or collective sites hosting displaced people. Upgrades to heating systems and insulation of pipes in collective sites are expected to benefit over 30,000 people directly.
This EU contribution builds on previous support, adding to the €36.8 million already provided to UNHCR earlier this year for its operations in Ukraine. Additionally, the EU has allocated €4 million to assist Ukrainian refugees in Moldova as part of the broader Ukraine Refugee Response Plan. UNHCR’s winter initiatives are part of a coordinated effort with UN agencies and NGOs to complement government-led actions in keeping war-affected populations safe and warm during the cold months.
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