Ukraine: People in Kherson suffer from drones, bombardment, and cold — humanitarian support is urgently needed

The city of Kherson comes under regular attack from rockets and drones. Under the control of the Ukrainian government, it is separated from the territories occupied by the Russian Federation only by the Dnipro River.

Today, its once-busy streets are empty and silent. Artillery shells the city from across the Dnipro almost daily, and drones buzz overhead. Kherson has become a front line, where everyday life is forced into basements and behind concrete barriers.

Local authorities are working to protect residents by creating a radio-electronic “dome” and installing netting over some streets to help defend against drone strikes. Even so, people remain in constant danger with stories about civil casualties occurring regularly in the news.

Some older residents have been left with no choice but to rent temporary accommodation because their homes have been destroyed by shelling.

Liudmyla, 80, did not leave Kherson either during the occupation or after Ukraine’s government regained control over the city. Her house was severely damaged by flooding after the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant dam was blown up — a major disaster that occurred in the summer of 2023.

After dealing with the immediate aftermath, Liudmyla hoped her hardships would be behind her. But recently she faced yet another tragedy: her house was destroyed by shelling.

“Everything burned down. It was already ruined after the flooding, the walls collapsed — and then it burned. Your assistance is really helpful to me now,” she says.

Thanks to a project funded by the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund, Liudmyla has received financial support, which she plans to use to pay for utilities.

A chance to stay warm this winter

In Kherson, the NGO City of Power is working with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) on a project that will provide financial assistance to over 400 households across the community by the end of 2025.

Support is being given to vulnerable groups, including older people, persons with disabilities, large families, and single parents. The assistance is intended to cover utility bills and the purchase of solid fuel.

The project also includes referrals to other service providers, depending on each resident’s needs.

Leaving home: a painful challenge

Among those who received help is Olga, 68. She had to leave her home repeatedly due to the war.

In 2023, her house in the Korabel district of Kherson was also flooded after the destruction of the Kakhovka dam. She initially moved in with her daughter, but in time, the area became a “red zone” due to active combat. Remaining there was too dangerous.

Now, Olga and her family live in the home of people who offered them shelter in exchange for covering utility costs.

“The assistance will help us a lot. My daughter is not working now, and we live only on my pension. I have heart problems and high blood pressure. Treatment is expensive. And we still have to pay for utilities, and we need to eat,” Olga explains.

This kind of support is a vital lifeline for people enduring such difficult circumstances. It helps them survive the harsh Ukrainian winter with dignity, as temperatures drop well below zero.