Ukraine’s approaching winter raises fears of the worst

A Caritas Ukraine staff member talks to Raisa Petrovna in Tsirkumi, Charkiv region. The village, now liberated, was occupied for six months by the Russian army. During this time, Raisa lived in the basement of her house. - Anton Frič/Caritas Slovakia

17/11/2022

“In Ukraine, the temperature can easily drop to minus 15 degrees during the winter. Without heating, you may not survive. People are preparing for the worst.” Caritas International’s Emergency Relief Coordinator, Sébastien Dechamps, speaks after returning from a visit to western Ukraine. He also visited Slovakia and Hungary, two neighboring countries that host many refugees from Ukraine.

“In Ukraine, I visited Caritas structures in Uzhhorod and Mukachevo, two cities in the west of the country. In Slovakia, I met our colleagues in Košice and Prešov, with whom we work closely.”

Thanks to the generosity of thousands of Belgians, Caritas International is implementing very concrete actions to address the crisis in Ukraine and several countries in the region. “These regular visits to our colleagues in the field are important,” says Sébastien. “They allow us to better understand the situation and the challenges on the ground. We have a good relationship with our colleagues in Caritas Slovakia. Compared to other organizations in the region, they have received little support from abroad. In addition to taking in many refugees, Caritas Slovakia sends basic necessities to Ukraine. The two countries have strong cultural ties.”

But the approach of winter is a source of great concern. Most people have no heating because the Russian army has bombed the infrastructure. This has catastrophic consequences for the energy supply. If the winter is too severe, many will have to flee to other European countries.

Emergency Relief Coordinator at Caritas International

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Distribution of basic necessities for the Ukrainian population. - Caritas Slovakia/Anton Frič

The bombings

This solidarity with the Ukrainian population is palpable throughout the region. “Last September, we thought that some of the displaced people would be able to return home. But during my stay in Ukraine on 10 and 11 of October, 2022, the war was again very present,” says Sébastien. “Bombings were taking place in several places and hopes of returning were dashed. Fear took over.”

The support shown by many countries means a lot to the Ukrainians. “But the approaching winter is a source of great concern. Most people have no heating anymore, because the Russian army has bombed the infrastructure. This has catastrophic consequences for the energy supply. If the winter is too harsh, many will have to flee to other European countries.”

In Ukraine, an electric heater costs about 40 euros and a warm blanket 15 euros. A simple stove, on which you can also cook, costs 100 euros. More sophisticated stoves cost up to 400 euros.

The power of resilience

Sébastien was impressed by the resilience of the people he met during his stay. “I saw, for example, how women call their husbands who are at the front every day to make sure he is still alive.” The attitude of the children also resonated with him. “Ukrainian society is very much digitalized. I remember this little boy of 8 or 9 years old who spends 5 hours a day behind the screen of his computer to follow online courses. Because of the coronavirus and the war, he hasn’t seen his classmates for almost 3 years.”

Preparing for winter

Now more than ever, it is important for Caritas International to continue its work in Ukraine and several neighboring countries. “During the first months of the war, there was a lot of solidarity, but it is slowly running out of steam. Supplies of basic necessities are gradually running out. With winter in sight, we absolutely must intensify our efforts.”

You have already had a hand in helping the most vulnerable people in Ukraine. Thank you so much! But the needs remain great and so does your vital help for the people of Ukraine. Today, help them with a donation on our online payment platform or on the account BE88 0000 0000 4141 with the communication “4147 Ukraine”. Only with your support we can continue to make a difference.