The Czech humanitarian organisation People in Need is helping Ukrainians endure the wartime winter cold
Published: Oct 30, 2024 Reading time: 2 minutes
With relentless and devastating shelling, frequent power outages, and constant threats, winter is a particularly challenging test for Ukrainians. Life is exceptionally difficult for those in frontline and border areas. Infrastructure damage and business closures have left many, especially those who have lost their jobs, with no means to buy fuel. Many groups, including large families, people with disabilities, and older people, face unique challenges. According to the Pension Fund of Ukraine, the average pension is 5,816 hryvnias ($140.37). In comparison, the cost of firewood for winter heating ranges from 13,000 to 20,000 hryvnias ($313-$482). Many villages in Ukraine lack gas infrastructure, and residents rely on solid fuel or firewood to save on gas.
For ten consecutive years, People in Need (PIN) has been helping Ukrainians prepare for winter. Throughout our work in Ukraine, we have provided solid fuel and heating stoves to over 47,000 people!
This season, People in Need plans to support 14 collective centres for internally displaced persons. Under the SOS Ukraine project—funded by donations from the Czech public—700 tonnes of briquettes will be delivered to these centres.
Additionally, 5,850 families in Mykolaiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Sumy oblasts will each receive 3.5 tonnes of briquettes. PIN also continues to repair homes damaged by shelling, as heating is pointless without safe shelter. Assistance with repairs will be provided to 1,700 families. Over 3,000 emergency home repair kits—containing items such as plastic sheeting, nails, foam sealant, and wooden boards—have been purchased through donations from the Czech public, providing immediate protection from the elements following attacks. PIN also supports communal heating systems and social institutions.
Special attention is given to particular populations. Vitalii Strytovych, a pensioner from Bila Krynytsia in the Kherson Oblast, is grateful for the timely assistance. He received 3.5 tonnes of briquettes, enough to last through the entire winter.
“When the war started, I was working as a guard at a plant, but my workplace was destroyed by shelling. Times are tough financially. You can’t buy much on one pension. We’re just getting by. I’m very grateful to the organisation for their help. These briquettes should get me through the entire winter. Now I can stay warm without worrying about where to find fuel,” Vitalii said.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s energy situation remains critical. Experts predict that if attacks persist, Ukrainians could endure up to 20 hours per day without electricity this winter. In response, People in Need is prioritising alternative energy solutions. In one community, PIN has installed a solar substation to provide continuous power to the local water supply facility and ensure that homes remain lit during emergency outages.
