Russia continues to destroy people’s homes through shelling and attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure.

In areas close to the frontline zone, it is impossible to restore communications – these regions have been without water, electricity, and gas for over a year and a half.

The winter cold in the frontline towns and villages poses as much danger to the lives and health of the people as the constant shelling by Russia.

The “Warm Our People” fundraising campaign has been ongoing for over 2 months now.

Throughout November and December 2023, out of the planned amount of 55,500,000 UAH, we have successfully gathered over 34,730,000 UAH, providing firewood or fuel briquettes to 2,335 households. This assistance became possible thanks to our partners from Cordaid, Caritas Spain, Caritas Korea, Caritas Japan, the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, Caritas Portuguesa, and hundreds of private donors.

This support has positively changed the lives of people living in the harsh winter conditions in frontline towns and villages, as well as in areas subjected to constant rocket shelling. Caritas Donetsk in Dnipro provided heating materials to 125 households, Caritas Kryvyi Rih – 155, Caritas Mykolaiv – 296, Caritas Zaporizhzhia – 247, Caritas Kramatorsk – 371, Caritas Mariupol (in Donetsk Oblast) – 589, Caritas Kherson – 16, Caritas Kamianske – 125, Caritas Sumy – 110, Chernihiv – 100, Caritas Khmelnytskyi – 170, and Caritas Kyiv – 31 households.

“Warmth, for me, is associated with family, children, and hugs,” says Alina Salamatova, kindling the stove, to which Caritas Khmelnytskyi delivered a truckload of firewood. Currently, they are using the stove to prepare food for their livestock and poultry, which they acquired last year. Previously, as soon as they arrived and settled in their old cottage, they cooked meals for themselves on the stove. Alina recalls that it was very challenging. Her family had twice fled from the war and twice built their lives “from scratch.”

In 2014, Volodymyr and Alina, and their then-only son moved from Lysychansk to Berdyansk. At that time, their entire life remained in Lysychansk, and in the new place, they took on the responsibility of paying for a house, did renovations, and found employment. Life settled down; they welcomed another son and two daughters. However, once again, war forced them to leave everything behind and move into the unknown. “We arrived in Khmelnytsky without any belongings. Our youngest daughter was only a few months old then. People helped us with everything. Volunteers, foundations, neighbors. They provided us with food, hygiene products, clothes, a crib for the baby, appliances, and even firewood for heating. Caritas was helpful. I am very grateful because this assistance is crucial for us,” says Alina.

She emphasizes that they did not expect continuous help. Her husband quickly found work as an assistant combine operator. Meanwhile, she and the children arranged their living space. Initially, they lived with other people, but after a short time, they bought an old house on installments. Alina admits that she sometimes cried because she didn’t believe they could restore the old cottage. Still, her husband assured her that they would manage everything. They patched up the walls, insulated the windows; the most challenging part was providing heating since the gas supply was disconnected. However, her husband repaired the stove, and Caritas helped with firewood, making the house warm by winter.

Currently, Alina works at a kiosk, preparing tasty snacks for people, as she loves working with dough and dreams of starting her own business. Vladimir, when it’s not the season for fieldwork, tends to the household. Together, they assist other families who have just moved from occupied territories or areas of active war in settling down. Last year’s experience in winter preparedness allowed Caritas Ukraine to develop action plans, safety protocols, logistics, procurement procedures, and aid distribution protocols. We have refined our strategies for even more effective winter preparedness.

Caritas has professional teams that deliver heating materials to the most affected communities along the active front line. Caritas Mariupol has delivered fuel briquettes to the frontline communities in Donetsk Oblast. Despite shelling, in the Novohrodivska and Pokrovska communities, 90% of the local residents have not evacuated from their homes. Additionally, these communities have welcomed internally displaced persons from areas with active combat.

In these regions, vulnerable groups such as children, elderly individuals, and people with disabilities face particular challenges. The lack of warmth for them is not just an inconvenience but a matter of survival and a serious threat to their health and well-being. Therefore, targeted delivery of fuel briquettes to isolated pensioners in Pokrovske has been especially valuable. The elderly individuals have received our warmth in the literal sense of the word – they will have something to heat their homes with. Додати фото

Caritas Ukraine has identified regions and communities where it can assist the most vulnerable populations who still need heating materials, totaling 400 households. The assistance will be provided by Caritas Zaporizhzhia (100 households), Caritas Mariupol (150 households), Caritas Kramatorsk (100 households), Caritas Kherson (25 households), and Caritas Berislav (25 households).

Throughout January 2024, Caritas Ukraine plans to raise an additional 10,400,000 UAH (270,000 euros) for the purchase of heating materials. The amount of 26,000 UAH (675 euros) per household includes the procurement of firewood or fuel briquettes (depending on the region and household characteristics), logistics, and payment for the workers’ efforts.

Every donation is a source of warmth and a hot meal for Ukrainians.

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Sakharova str. 78  Lviv, Ukraine  

SWIFT: WUCBUA2X

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