UN collecting money from donors to support Ukraine in winter period

UN Secretary General’s spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said this at a briefing on Tuesday, August 22, Ukrinform’s own correspondent reports.

"We, along with our partners, have launched an initiative appealing for $268 million to be able to support more than 1.3 million people with specific assistance in the coming winter months," he said.

According to Dujarric, the war has "severely damaged" homes, energy, water, and gas infrastructure, "putting millions at extreme risk during the cold season, which in Ukraine, normally starts in October and runs through March." He added that the temperatures can drop as low as -30°C.

Dujarric emphasized that this winter, the UN will prioritize emergency repair of homes in the frontline communities and will also deliver clothes, heating devices, and "other winter supplies".

Repair work in displacement centers will be another priority, as well as financial aid to displaced persons "to ensure they can pay rent or utility bills." Humanitarian organizations will help with the repairs to ensure that municipal heating systems are working, added the spokesman for the UN Secretary General.

"The response will build on efforts made during the last winter, when humanitarian organizations reached 2.2 million people with similar services and distributed over 4,000 generators amidst a severe energy crisis," Dujarric explained.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, throughout last winter the Russian invasion forces have made an extensive attempt to destroy Ukraine's civil energy infrastructure.

According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine is already doing everything possible to avoid a possible blackout next winter.