The Finnish Red Cross grants four million euros to the aid operation in Ukraine – approaching winter increases the need for aid
More than 14.6 million people, around 40 per cent of the country’s population, are in need of humanitarian aid in Ukraine. The battles and strikes against the country’s critical infrastructure have continued to escalate since the summer, deteriorating the living conditions of millions of people.
“Access to electricity, heat and water has become more unstable, in particular. At the same time, the healthcare services of Ukraine have become overburdened and it is more and more difficult for people to get the treatment they need,” says Toni Jokinen, head of the International Aid Support and Coordination Unit of the Finnish Red Cross.
The Finnish Red Cross helps the people suffering from the conflict in Ukraine by donating four million from its Disaster Relief Fund. The donated funds will be used for the aid operation of the International Red Cross, supporting the local work by the Ukrainian Red Cross Society.
The Ukrainian Red Cross Society is preparing to increase its humanitarian aid as winter approaches. Among other measures, the Red Cross is working on renovating critical public infrastructure and bomb shelters. In addition to this, the Red Cross is offering people heating, electricity, aid equipment, food and first aid, as well as evacuation services to safer locations. During the winter, it will also distribute increased cash aid and heaters for people in vulnerable positions.
“Especially the 3.3 million people living near the front lines in the eastern and southern regions of Ukraine are in desperate need of help,” Jokinen states.
Blackouts and increasing costs of living make daily life harder
The coming winter is believed to lead to even more extensive need for help than during last winter.
Even before the winter, strikes against energy infrastructure have caused extensive blackouts in Ukraine, which are expected to continue over the winter. These blackouts significantly hamper services such as heating and water supply.
“Vulnerable groups, such as internally displaced people who have fled the battles, are constantly struggling with the rising costs of electricity and food. This is a far-reaching problem, as there are nearly four million internally displaced people in the country. Contingency measures are essential in order prevent potential disruptions caused by the blackouts,” Jokinen says.
Currently, 111,500 internally displaced persons are still living in shared shelters, such as centres set up in school buildings.
“The Red Cross has, for example, transportable heating units that can be moved to shared shelters when necessary, and power generators that can be used to secure power supply to critical services. We are also preparing for blackouts by distributing solar panels, batteries and propane heating devices,” Jokinen explains.
Taking care of hygiene is important when living in a shared shelter in order to prevent the spread of infectious diseases common during the winter months, such as respiratory infections and influenza.
“Even these common infectious diseases can be fateful, especially to people belonging in risk groups, when access to basic healthcare services is limited. Ensuring that healthcare services and medication is available is even more important due to the approaching winter,” Jokinen emphasises.
The Finnish Red Cross is committed to supporting the Ukrainian Red Cross Society as long as support is needed. In particular, the need for basic healthcare, physical and mental rehabilitation, and livelihood will persist for a long time in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Red Cross Society takes healthcare and social services to where they are most sorely needed.