Ukraine Emergency: Practical Help

Providing Warmth and Hope for the Coming Winter

The conflict in Ukraine has entered a dangerous new phase in 2025, marked by a dramatic escalation that has directly impacted the civilian population. According to United Nations reports, civilian casualties increased by 54% in the first half of the year compared to 2024, as the destruction of essential infrastructure like schools, hospitals, and energy grids became a daily reality. This strategy has left millions of people, particularly children and the elderly, exposed to extreme vulnerability as access to basic services continues to deteriorate.

Currently, the situation for internally displaced persons (IDPs) remains critical, with approximately 3.7 million people forced to flee their homes within the country. Many have been displaced for over two years, exhausting their savings and struggling to afford even basic necessities like food and medicine. With over 12 million people nationwide requiring urgent humanitarian assistance, the need for a coordinated and compassionate response has never been greater.

A Legacy of Solidarity and Local Action

The Community of Sant’Egidio has been a constant presence in Ukraine for over thirty years. Our network, composed entirely of Ukrainian volunteers in cities like Kyiv, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Kharkiv, has long stood alongside the most marginalized groups, from the homeless to those living in poverty-stricken institutions. This deep-rooted expertise allowed us to launch a massive humanitarian effort immediately following the 2022 invasion. To date, we have delivered over 2,400 tonnes of aid, providing essential goods and healthcare to millions of people across the country.

Our Project: Protection and Dignity During the Cold Season

As winter approaches, temperatures in Ukraine can plummet below -20°C. For families living in homes with damaged insulation or disrupted energy services, the cold is a life-threatening emergency. Our 12-month project focuses on providing safe and dignified conditions through two primary channels:

• Winterization in the Eastern Regions: we are distributing essential non-food items to vulnerable households in frontline areas like Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia. These kits include materials to provide warmth and improve home insulation, helping families survive the winter in safety.
• Strengthening our Social Centers: we are reinforcing the “Houses of Sant’Egidio” in Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Kyiv. These centers are vital landmarks that offer not just material aid, but also emotional support and a sense of community to those traumatized by the war.

A Holistic Approach to Community Care

Within our centers, we implement a wide range of activities designed to rebuild the social fabric:

• Schools of Peace: Providing educational and emotional refuge for children, fostering values of coexistence and inclusion.
• Home Care: Delivering basic necessities and companionship to the lonely elderly and people with disabilities.
• Street Outreach: Organizing “traveling dinners” to provide hot meals and assistance to the homeless living in extreme conditions.
• Listening Spaces: Creating environments where human bonds are forged, helping to combat the isolation caused by displacement and conflict.

These centers represent more than just distribution points; they are symbols of hope and resilience, helping to rebuild networks of support even in the darkest of times.