The cold winter weather combined with continued attacks on the country’s infrastructure pose significant risks to the people of Ukraine. Today, households remain without power in the Vinnytsia, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk and Odessa regions. Emergency blackouts are still in place in the Kharkiv, Sumy, Poltava, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk and parts of Kirovohrad regions. Nationwide, from midnight to noon, scheduled hourly blackouts and power limits for industrial consumers and businesses are in effect. And, Ukrainians are urged to use electricity sparingly throughout the day, especially during peak morning and evening hours, to ease the load on the power grid.
In many cities, when the electricity goes out all utilities are disrupted including heat and water. Buildings taller than nine floors do not have gas infrastructure (by law), making it impossible to cook. In many apartment buildings, water pumps are powered by electricity; during blackouts, people have no running water.
And, in most places heating systems rely on electricity, creating cold and dark homes every time the power supply is disrupted.
For the past 4 winters we have provided winter essentials to help people survive perilous conditions: food, warm clothes, batteries, and even small generators. Special care is taken to look after the elderly who are particularly vulnerable during these challenging times. Warm meals are delivered to those who are unable to leave their homes, along with other support as needed. In addition, the many industrial generators we installed three years ago continue to power many communal buildings that serve as warming and powering centers.
We are grateful to all of our generous donors who make it possible for us to take care of the people of Ukraine. Together we save lives and restore hope.
