Ukraine: How aid is keeping vulnerable families warm through winter

Sumy Oblast in northeastern Ukraine, which borders the Russian Federation, endures near-daily shelling.

“Drones and rockets—it’s a constant threat in our area. Just yesterday, Shostka was heavily shelled; everything was on fire. It was horrible,” says Ivan*, 45.

He lives in the village of Usok near Shostka and cares for his 77-year-old mother, who can barely walk, and his older brother, who is paralysed. The three survive on just a few thousand hryvnias—his mother’s pension.

“Try surviving on three thousand hryvnias (€68). We have to pay for electricity and water. We also need to buy some food. I find part-time work occasionally, but it’s mostly physical labour. There’s no other kind of work in the village now,” Ivan explains.

As winter grips Ukraine, temperatures in the north can plummet to minus 30 degrees Celsius. In such conditions, humanitarian assistance becomes essential to help people heat their homes.

In Sumy Oblast, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) runs two projects to provide households with solid fuel and cover their heating costs. This support is funded by the European Union and the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund.

In the Yampil and Berezivska communities of Sumy Oblast, more than 900 households have already received assistance to purchase solid fuel, mainly firewood. By the end of 2024, another 600 households in Sumy Oblast are expected to benefit. Each household receives UAH 21,000 (€480)—enough to buy firewood for five to six months.

“We cover the cost of solid fuel in rural areas where houses are not connected to gas supplies. Most recipients are elderly people, as well as individuals with disabilities or chronic illnesses—vulnerable categories of the population,” explains Anna Artiukh, Cash and Voucher Assistance Officer at DRC.

The selection of communities for support was carried out in collaboration with the UN Shelter Cluster and the regional social protection department. Lists of priority communities are being compiled, focusing on border areas of Sumy Oblast that need assistance most.

The situation in the Sumy Oblast remains highly unsafe, particularly along the border, which is frequently targeted by attack drones, guided bombs, and other missiles. Even during the registration process for aid, shelling occurs, meaning registrations often take place in shelters.

“If it weren’t for your help, I’d be up at night worrying about where to get firewood. This support has been crucial. It’s good to know there are organisations that care,” Ivan adds.

Viktor, 61, another resident of Usok who also received money for firewood, shares Ivan’s sentiments. He has already bought firewood and is preparing it for use. Viktor, who has hearing and vision problems, says he and his wife are not ready to leave their home despite the constant danger.

“When the shelling gets heavy, we go down to the cellar. It’s better to be safe; no one can predict where or when the next strike will land. I don’t feel fear, but I flinch when there’s a loud noise. It’s my nerves,” he says.

When asked if he plans to leave, Viktor shakes his head. “I don’t know where I’d go, and it’s hard to leave behind everything we’ve built over the years. What if the house gets looted while we’re gone? So far, a blast wave has broken one window, but I managed to fix it before winter. Only if it becomes impossible to stay will we consider leaving. But for now, we’ll stay here as long as we can. A place that isn’t your home never truly feels like home”.

For those whose homes have been directly impacted by shelling, relocation is often the only option. This is the case in towns like Konotop, Krolevets, and Lebedyn, where many internally displaced people (IDPs) are now residing. DRC is helping these households cover their heating costs, with payment amounts determined by the type of heating.

“We cover utility costs for the six-month heating season. The amount varies depending on the heating type. For centralised heating, it’s about UAH 11,000(€250); for gas, UAH 14,000 (€318). In Krolevets, we assisted IDPs living in a dilapidated dormitory without central heating. Eighteen families there rely on portable electric heaters, which are expensive, so the largest payments—up to UAH 28,000 (€640)—are provided in such cases,” Anna explains.

So far, more than 300 families have received assistance for heating costs in Sumy Oblast, with another 150 expected to benefit by year-end.

Providing cash assistance for fuel and heating enables vulnerable households to endure the winter in Ukraine, whether they remain in their homes or live in IDP shelters. For many, this support is the difference between surviving with dignity and enduring a harsh winter in extreme hardship.

*Name is changed for confidentiality purposes.