UNICEF boosts aid to protect children, families in Ukraine’s harsh cold winter

By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – UNICEF on Friday reported that Ukraine is facing a bitterly cold winter, with temperatures regularly dropping to minus 20 degrees Celsius, or minus 4 Fahrenheit.

The severe weather combined with the widespread destruction of housing, energy, and heating infrastructure, continues to make the winter months particularly harsh, especially for children, the agency noted

UNICEF warned that the challenges are compounded by rising poverty: among households with children, the rate has increased from 43 percent in 2021 to 65 percent in 2023.

Over 3.3 million people, including over half a million children, remain displaced within Ukraine.

UNICEF’S winter response reached 2.3 million people, including 380,000 children last year.

The agency appealed for $65 million to meet the needs of at least one million vulnerable people including 170,000 children in 2026.

UNICEF’s response this year will focus on providing cost-effective cash support to families and schools, and strengthening district heating systems to ensure long-term, sustainable warmth, it concluded.