Concern ramps up supports to help front line communities in Ukraine

Working with a local partner, its response includes providing grants to community-based organisations to meet local needs such as shelter repair, emergency lighting and running community heating systems.

“It is almost four years since the current phase of the conflict began and that has had a cumulative impact – both physically and emotionally – on people,” Concern’s Head of Emergency Operations Ros O’Sullivan said.  “With over 60% of the energy infrastructure now severely damaged or destroyed, the people of Ukraine are facing into their toughest winter yet.”

“The needs are greatest for communities near the front line which also have the added pressure of hosting thousands of people who are fleeing the conflict. Under a new programme, community-based organisations will be able to apply for funding to meet specific local needs, as they emerge,” he said.

Staying warm will be one of the biggest challenges as winter closes in and temperatures drop to as low as -20 degrees Celsius. A needs assessment carried out over the summer in Kherson found that 40% of households in rural frontline areas were unable to purchase sufficient winter fuel.  One-in-three households are resorting to negative coping mechanisms, including unsafe heating methods, reduced food consumption, or accumulating debt.

In the Kherson region, one of the most severely affected by the conflict, over 50% of households identified heating and fuel as their most urgent unmet needs.

Concern is working in Ukraine with German NGO Welthungerhilfe (WHH) as part of the Joint Emergency Response in Ukraine (JERU) to implement a wider support programme to help communities prepare for and face the coming winter. 

At the household level, they are providing cash assistance to vulnerable families, enabling them to cover urgent seasonal needs according to their own priorities. Cash is expected to be used primarily for heating materials (firewood, coal, briquettes), electricity or utility payments, warm clothing and footwear, or other essential household items needed to endure the cold months.

Grants are also being made to community-based groups in the Kherson region to spend to enhance their capacity to address urgent community needs. These grants support local volunteer groups working on the front lines of humanitarian response. For example, some groups conduct evacuations from areas close to the front line. The grants help volunteers cover fuel costs and vehicle repairs to continue their critical work. 

Other supported groups operate as rapid response teams, assisting communities immediately after attacks. They help clear debris, board up windows, make quick roof and wall repairs, and ensure that affected families can stay safe and protected. Most of their funds are used for tools, construction materials, and fuel.

Hygiene kits are being distributed to thousands of households.  They contain items such as soap, shampoo, washing powder, toilet paper and toothpaste.

Psycho-social support is also being provided through local partners.  “The scale of the psychological impact which almost four years of conflict is having is difficult to describe,” Mr O’Sullivan said. “Most families have relatives who have been killed, or who are currently fighting.  There is the continuous stress of daily air raid alerts, people sleeping underground or in corridors at night to remain a little safer if their home is struck. It does not take much for people to well up.”

Many children have not been at school since the conflict began in 2022, or even earlier due to COVID.  Instead, they attend online classes.  The psycho-social supports for children include bringing them together for art and play therapy.

For media queries contact Eamon Timmins, Media Relations Manager, Concern Worldwide, at eamon.timmins@concern.net or 087 9880524