EU launches winter shelter program, adds €175 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine

As Russia continues to destroy Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, the European Commission announced a new emergency shelter and winterized facilities program for Ukraine, according to the EC site. Moreover, the Commission will provide an “additional €175 million in humanitarian assistance to support those most in need in Ukraine and Moldova.”

“While Russia is further escalating its brutal attacks against Ukraine, specifically targeting civilian infrastructure and residential buildings, I stand here in Kyiv reiterating that the EU is as dedicated as ever in its support to Ukraine,” the commissioner for crisis management, Janez Lenarčič, said during his visit in Kyiv Wednesday. “The upcoming winter is likely to bring major challenges to Ukraine and we must be prepared. Via our rescEU reserve, a temporary shelter capacity will be immediately deployed to three different regions in Ukraine: Rivne, Bucha, and Kharkiv. In addition, the EU is boosting its humanitarian aid funding with further a €175 million to provide education, food, access to water, and protection from the cold winter for the most vulnerable. We are also working together by preparing a pathway for Ukraine to join the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.”

As the program’s first pilot, the EU has already begun to deploy 500 temporary shelter units to Rivne Oblast, 550 to the Bucha area, and 600 to Kharkiv Oblast in Ukraine. Each unit can host up to five people and is fully equipped with beds and heaters. The units are being shipped to Ukraine from the rescEU emergency stockpile hosted by Sweden. The units will be also equipped with showers, toilets, basic toiletry kits, and communal spaces for gathering or eating.

The Commission has also procured thousands of beds that can be used in temporary accommodation centers to welcome refugees or internally displaced persons. The shelter units are being provided as a temporary solution, while more permanent housing is being made available.