The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, has urged the international community to further scale up vital support ahead of the third winter since the start of the Russian full-scale invasion.
Grandi travelled to Ukraine for the fifth time since February 2022, to express strong solidarity with the people, who are bearing the brunt of the horrendous ongoing war, and to call for the protection of all civilians affected by the international armed conflict. He visited the Okhmatdyt Pediatric Hospital and other areas heavily damaged by the 8 July deadly attacks in Kyiv. In Kharkiv, he heard harrowing accounts of people evacuated during the recent offensive in May.
After meeting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv and visiting a power plant that was heavily bombarded, Grandi handed over ten generators to the local authorities in Kharkiv to help keep critical services operational. Attacks have depleted close to 70 per cent of Ukraine’s energy generation capacity, disrupting critical heating and water supply. This is already affecting millions every day, and unless significant support is provided, the situation could become unbearable when temperatures drop and harsher weather sets in.
“It’s devastating to see that the war – with all its senseless destruction – is continuing relentlessly,” Grandi said. “Each time I’m in Ukraine, I’m struck by the resilience and determination of people. But our support is critical to help sustain their strength, including ensuring they are safe and warm in the gruelling winter ahead, and to keep their hopes alive for a better future.”
UNHCR will contribute to helping the people of Ukraine prepare for winter and, to that end, Grandi committed initial resources worth $100 million. UNHCR plans to support 600,000 of the most vulnerable displaced and war-affected people in Ukraine with cash assistance, but with humanitarian needs growing more support is needed. UNHCR’s comprehensive winter response plan is part of a broader UN humanitarian appeal to provide people with the necessary support before the cold arrives.
