IOM Assists War-Affected Communities Ahead of the Cold Season

Kyiv — As the winter season approaches and is in full swing in some regions of the country, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Ukraine is ramping up its efforts to assist war-affected communities in preparing for the cold weather conditions that lie ahead, as well as providing vital assistance to vulnerable individuals and families still grappling with the consequences of the war.  

The recent survey conducted by IOM has revealed a range of challenges that Ukrainians are currently facing as they approach the winter season. One prominent issue is the widespread heating challenges affecting various regions, especially those impacted by active hostilities. According to the survey, there is a substantial need for housing repairs to prepare for the winter, particularly among internally displaced people (IDPs) in the south of Ukraine who report lower housing adequacy. The data also emphasizes the urgent requirement for winter essentials, including bedding kits or blankets, warm clothing and heating appliances. These items are crucial for preparing for potential electricity shortages and the harsh winter conditions anticipated. The survey also shed light on the economic hardships faced by Ukrainians as they strive to secure winter essentials. A significant majority find it financially challenging to afford the necessary fuels, prioritizing financial support to navigate the cold season. 

IOM’s winterization programme encompasses a range of activities designed to address the pressing needs of individual households, social institutions and medical facilities. One of the primary initiatives involves the donation of solid fuels, including coal and firewood, as well as stoves. This not only ensures a sustainable heat source but also contributes to the economic well-being of families struggling in the aftermath of hostilities.  

In Kharkiv region, where IOM has made significant strides in its efforts to reach its target to assist a total of 4,750 households, over 800 have already received support, with others expecting to receive it in the coming weeks.  
 
Apart from individual households, the programme also extends its support to social and medical facilities by providing them with coal and firewood, guaranteeing a warm and conducive environment for those seeking medical attention or refuge. Recognizing the importance of proper heating appliances, the initiative includes the distribution of "Burzhuika" solid fuel stoves with chimney kits, as well as electrical heaters.  
 

Svitlana Zaichenko, the Head Nurse at the Kharkiv City Hospital No.1 shares the challenges and the pressing needs of the medical facility:  

In addition to provision of solid fuel, IOM’s support includes equipment repairs and rehabilitation of centralized heating systems, as well as upgrading existing municipal heating infrastructure. 

In Balakliia, Kharkiv region, the local community faced severe heating issues when the centralized system was directly hit by an artillery strike. Additionally, extended power outages last winter led to frozen water in the system, causing harm to the heat network and leaving 5,000 households without heat.  

In partnership with the local heat department, IOM has replaced the damaged components of the heating system – pumps, valves and pipelines. The team is also assisting the Balakliia community in preparing for potential winter challenges by providing city utility services emergency repair kits and new electrical control systems for uninterrupted heating.  

This issue isn't unique to Balakliia. On a broader scale, IOM is helping address systemic thermal energy challenges throughout Eastern Ukraine with innovative solutions and alternative energy sources. 

The distribution of winterization kits among individual households and collective centres is also a vital component of winterization efforts, ensuring that individuals in these facilities have the essentials they need ahead of the winter months.  

IOM provides blankets, mattresses, folding chairs and solar-powered lamps to displaced people. The assistance also extends to collective centres in the form of grants. For instance, a collective centre in Uzhhorod received a grant for window installation, following door and bathroom renovations. 

Another collective centre hosting elderly people and people with disabilities in Chernivtsi received a powerful 30-kilowatt generator. As winter approaches, it will ensure decent living conditions even during the potential power outages. Same generators were provided to three more critical infrastructure facilities in Chernivtsi region.  

In the summer, residential areas in Lviv, Western Ukraine, were targeted by a Russian rocket attack, resulting in damage to two student dormitories of Lviv Polytechnic National University. Upon resuming studies in September, students faced a concerning issue as their dorm rooms lacked windows, posing a challenge for the upcoming winter. The IOM team has successfully replaced more than 800 windows in two of the dormitories that sustained damage.  

As IOM Ukraine undertakes these crucial winterization activities: provision of solid fuel, distribution of winterization kits, individual homes and social institutions repairs and technical support to essential utility services, among others; it not only addresses immediate needs but also lays the groundwork for long-term recovery and durable solutions for those navigating the complexities of war-affected environments.  
 
IOM's support to these communities is possible through funding from USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, the European Union, German Federal Foreign Office, Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and Ukraine Humanitarian Fund among others.