Emergency aid for people in Ukraine

Although winter has come to an end, the humanitarian situation in Ukraine remains highly uncertain. The country has just emerged from one of the harshest winters since the beginning of the full-scale war. Repeated attacks on critical infrastructure caused prolonged power outages, disrupted heating and water supplies, and further increased the vulnerability of millions of people.

After more than four years of war, families continue to face displacement, economic hardship, and ongoing insecurity. Humanitarian needs remain immense, particularly for children, older people, and households living close to frontline areas.

Through its long-standing local partnerships, Caritas Austria continues to provide flexible, needs-based support while strengthening community resilience and protecting the most vulnerable.

What We Achieved

Providing Essential Humanitarian Assistance

During this reporting period, Caritas and its local partners continued to support families struggling to meet their basic needs.

• More than 11,000 people received emergency assistance, including cash support, essential household items, and targeted aid for vulnerable households.
• Families affected by displacement and infrastructure damage received support to maintain safe living conditions and access essential services.
• Hygiene support and community-based assistance helped vulnerable households cope with the ongoing consequences of the conflict.

Supporting Children and Strengthening Mental Health

Children continue to carry a particularly heavy burden of the war. Many have spent years living with air raid alarms, uncertainty, displacement, and interrupted education. For this reason, psychosocial support remains one of Caritas Austria’s key priorities.

• More than 3,500 children participated in psychosocial activities, safe learning environments, and child-friendly programs.
• Child Friendly Spaces provided structured activities, emotional support, and opportunities for social interaction.
• Families received counselling and parenting support to strengthen protective environments for children.
• Teachers, social workers, and community staff were trained to better respond to the emotional and developmental needs of children affected by conflict.

Caring for Elderly and Vulnerable People

Many elderly and chronically ill people continue to face isolation and limited access to services.

• Homecare and community-based support services reached more than 1,400 vulnerable individuals.
• Trained volunteers provided companionship and practical support, helping people maintain dignity and well-being despite difficult circumstances.

Impact

While the emergency phase of winter has passed, the consequences remain visible across Ukraine. Families continue to face uncertainty regarding their safety, livelihoods, and future. Through humanitarian assistance, psychosocial support, and community-based services, Caritas Austria helps people not only meet immediate needs but also regain stability, hope, and resilience.

Looking Forward

As the war continues with no clear end in sight, Caritas Austria remains committed to supporting affected communities. In the coming months, particular attention will be given to psychosocial support for children and families, protection services, and assistance for vulnerable households struggling with the long-term consequences of war.

With the support of GlobalGiving donors, Caritas Austria continues to stand alongside the people of Ukraine and help communities recover, adapt, and build resilience in the face of ongoing uncertainty.

Humanitarian Support in the Harshest Winter Since the War Began

Currecnt Situation

After nearly four years of the full-scale invasion by Russia, Ukraine is facing the harshest winter since the beginning of the war. Following renewed Russian airstrikes on critical infrastructure, electricity, heating, and water supply systems have collapsed in many parts of the country. Major cities such as Kyiv and Kharkiv are becoming barely habitable, and more and more people are being forced to leave urban areas. In Kyiv alone, thousands of residential buildings are without heating. Power outages lasting several hours shape daily life. Cooking, washing, and maintaining a normal routine are hardly possible. Severe attacks at the beginning of the year and persistent frost down to minus 20 degrees Celsius are further worsening the situation and putting many people’s lives at risk. In Kyiv, there are often only around three hours of electricity per day, followed by power cuts of up to ten hours.

Children and older people in particular suffer from cold, darkness, and insecurity. Overall, 10.8 million people in Ukraine – every third person – depend on humanitarian support.

Children are especially affected in this humanitarian crisis. Nearly 3,800 educational institutions have been damaged or destroyed. More than 5 million children face restricted access to education; only around 30 percent regularly attend in-person classes. Millions of children live under constant stress due to air raid alarms, displacement, and the lack of safe spaces.

HUMANITARIAN NEEDS

Four years after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, humanitarian needs remain immense:

• 10.8 million people require humanitarian assistance (every third person in Ukraine)
• 3.7 million internally displaced persons
• 6.9 million refugees abroad
• Nearly 50,000 evacuations from frontline areas in 2025
• Over 3,000 registered child casualties (as of September 2025)

HOW CARITAS IS HELPING

Caritas has been active in Ukraine for more than 30 years and continues its work even under the most challenging conditions. Together with local partner organizations, the Caritas network has supported more than 5 million people since 2022. Caritas provides drinking water, food, and medicines; organizes shelters; and delivers winter assistance, elderly care, and support for children and young people. From Austria alone, more than 500 tons of relief supplies and over 100 emergency generators have been delivered to Ukraine by Caritas since 2022.

In addition, Caritas offers psychosocial support, educational measures, housing rehabilitation, and assistance in restoring livelihoods. On the ground, it distributes firewood, provides warm meals and protection from the cold in Caritas centers and warming stations, carries out minor repairs, and distributes blankets, sleeping bags, lamps, and thermos flasks.

Focus areas of Caritas support:

• Winter and emergency support (heating materials, blankets, sleeping bags, repairs, warming tents)
• Support for internally displaced persons (shelter, food, hygiene items, cash assistance)
• Child and youth protection (Child Friendly Spaces, learning spaces, psychosocial support)
• Health and care services (mobile home nursing care, hospice and palliative care)
• Psychosocial support for adults, children, and veterans
• Income-generating activities and vocational reintegration

SEEING THE NEED – AND TAKING ACTION

Every third person in Ukraine depends on humanitarian assistance – let us not forget them. After four years of full-scale war, the level of need is greater than ever, and winter continues to aggravate the situation across the country. As Caritas, we remain on the ground and provide assistance and support – even in areas others can no longer reach. Please support our intensive emergency response efforts. Every donation provides warmth, protection, and electricity and is a sign of solidarity and hope for the people of Ukraine.