Blackout in Kyiv. The Ukrainian Red Cross brings help

Almost all power plants in Ukraine are damaged. Hundreds of thousands of people have been without electricity and heating for over a week. The Ukrainian Red Cross is providing support to those affected. Other organizations of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including the Polish Red Cross, are joining the wave of assistance.

Mass attacks on energy infrastructure have caused widespread disruptions in electricity and district heating supplies in many cities in Ukraine. The situation remains most critical in Kyiv and the Kyiv region, where a significant number of residential buildings still lack heating – temperatures in the apartments are between 5-12°C, and the ongoing cold wave is one of the coldest in the last 10 years - in the coming days, temperatures will drop to -21°C.

Residents of Kyiv experiencing extremely low temperatures can warm up at more than 100 mobile and stationary heating points. The Ukrainian Red Cross is assisting in their operation by providing generators and hot air blowers, as well as logistical and supply support (tables, chairs, extension cords, lighting, or disposable dishes). It has also deployed mobile heating tents in the city.

The Ukrainian Red Cross delivers food, hot meals, and hot drinks to field kitchens operating in Kyiv. In addition, it is providing generators of various power capacities. This is currently essential equipment - in some parts of the capital, power outages have lasted for several consecutive days.

To support people in difficult situations, the Ukrainian Red Cross will also distribute 2000 hygiene kits. Additionally, it is providing assistance to 8000 individuals living alone in the most difficult circumstances, including warm blankets.

To support the crisis response in Kyiv, the Ukrainian Red Cross has mobilized 250 volunteers and staff.

The actions of the Ukrainian Red Cross are carried out in close cooperation with partners from the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, whose ongoing support enables a response to changing humanitarian needs and assistance to people affected by prolonged power and heating outages in harsh winter conditions.

The Polish Red Cross is also joining this assistance, supporting the actions of the Ukrainian Red Cross since the beginning of the armed conflict in Ukraine.

You too can help by donating to the Relief Fund with the note UKRAINE.