With winter fast approaching in Ukraine, we are working harder than ever to put contingencies in place to help people survive the expected frequent and prolonged power outages. Everyone is determined to avoid the treacherous conditions that millions of people endured last year, when they went days without heat or electricity, in temperatures as low as -18°C. When the power goes out, heat and water often go with it, elevators stop, and anyone who depends on electricity for medical treatment is at great risk. Darkness and freezing temperatures intensify fear and stress, especially for children and the elderly.
Last winter, State Emergency Service (SES) put up warming tents, installed generators, and provided other services to help residents get through the outages. Parents would wrap their children in layers of blankets and take them down flights of dark stairs to the SES tents where they could warm up, eat something hot, charge a phone, and talk with a psychologist.
Over the past four years, the Jewish communities have relied heavily on the industrial generators we installed, to power childrens’ homes, senior living, community centers, schools, and more. Additionally, we distributed batteries, lanterns, blankets, thermoses, and clothes. We also relocated families where the power outages lasted for weeks and made their homes unlivable.
In preparation for the fifth heating season since the crisis began, with attacks on the energy system continuing, we are working hard to help communities establish alternative power sources. In addition to the diesel generators that are expensive to operate and maintain, we have invested in solar energy systems that are reliable and cost efficient. The upfront costs are substantial, and we continue to seek funds to make additional purchases. Our goal is to have 9 systems operating in 5 communities across Ukraine for in the next several months.
To help the people of Ukraine survive the upcoming winter, we are doing all we can to ensure each community has backup power, fresh water, food and other supplies. We are expanding our solar energy projects as funds become available; in the meantime, we are assisting with fuel and maintenance for the diesel generators. While there is no way to anticipate every strike or outage, we can be ready for when such events do occur.
Together we save lives and restore hope.
