Ukrainian groups to get new UN funds as winter looms

Ukrainians who are struggling to survive under frost, bombs and power cuts will soon receive more assistance from a fund that provides money for volunteers, community groups, and civil society organizations, a United Nations humanitarian leader announced on Tuesday (20 December).

Denise Brown, the UN's top official in Ukraine, said: "They are on the front line, taking risks to ensure people whose lives were torn apart during months of war receive support for daily needs: water and food, medicines, shelter when they have been damaged."

Brown, the humanitarian co-ordinator for Ukraine, said that the work was impressive, but resources were running out 10 months after the start of the war. She said that the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund would release an additional $20 million in order to help 300 groups who have been "working around-the-clock to support millions of people."

This funds release comes at an important time for UN humanitarian programmes, when global needs from Ukraine and the drought-stricken Horn of Africa are far greater than pledges, which themselves are at record highs.

Funds allocated to Ukraine by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA (UNOCHA), have been increased to $252m with the new release. Projects supporting hospitals, displacement centres and other facilities that host generators or winter supplies have received more than $55m.

Ukraine is having trouble keeping the lights on due to Russian attacks on its power infrastructure, including with armed drones.

Share this article: