In September, Minister of Social Policy Oksana Zholnovich met with UNHCR representative in Ukraine Karolina Lindholm Billing. During the meeting, a memorandum was signed, which provides for cash payments for solid fuel during the winter period to heat homes. The signing of the document was also attended by the Chairman of the Board of the Pension Fund of Ukraine, Yevheniy Kapinus.
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Importance of support in wartime
“We thank UNHCR for their sustained cooperation and support. In wartime, our duty is to ensure people feel safe and warm in their own homes. Together, we are implementing a program that will help withstand this difficult winter. This involves providing additional cash payments for purchasing firewood or coal: such assistance is vital for vulnerable populations, especially the elderly, families with children, and people with disabilities living in homes without other heating options,” noted Oksana Zholnovich.
Expansion of social support
Earlier, the government approved an important resolution that expands social support in Ukraine. It will provide approximately 500,000 households receiving benefits and housing subsidies with the opportunity to receive increased payments for the purchase of solid household fuel. Funding will come from partners and the state budget. The program aims to support households that do not have access to centralized heating and do not use gas or electricity for heating.
Support for vulnerable groups
“With the approach of winter, it is extremely important that we provide additional support to the most vulnerable groups, especially pensioners, people with disabilities, and low-income families who have been particularly affected by the war, especially by Russian attacks on critical infrastructure. Together with the Ministry of Social Policy and the Pension Fund of Ukraine, we are ensuring that no one is left to face these challenges alone. This financial assistance will be vital to help families stay warm and dignified during the upcoming winter,” said UNHCR representative in Ukraine Karolina Lindholm Billing.
Expected support during the heating season
Last year, over 360,000 households received this support, amounting to 2.8 billion hryvnias. This heating season, support is planned for around 500,000 households for the purchase of coal or firewood. Of these, 375,800 households will receive funding from the state budget, while 92,000 will receive it from UNHCR.
Energy security and resilience
The total amount of support from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees will be 30 million dollars, which will help improve living conditions for many Ukrainian families during this difficult time. This initiative is an important step towards ensuring energy security and social protection for all citizens of Ukraine.
Joint efforts to overcome challenges
Participants in the meeting also emphasized the need to strengthen the energy resilience of Ukrainians. One of the key initiatives is the provision of backup power sources to ensure adequate heating conditions for apartment buildings during the winter. The joint efforts of the parties will be directed towards ensuring that no citizen is left without attention and assistance, even in the most challenging times.
