Ukraine and Moldova: EU launches winter shelter programme and boosts humanitarian aid by €175 million

On 19 October, the European Commission announced a new emergency shelter and winterised facilities programme for Ukraine, as Russia’s war continues to destroy civilian infrastructure. The Commission will also provide an additional €175 million in humanitarian assistance to support those most in need in Ukraine and Moldova.

The RescEU strategic reserve will be mobilised to house emergency shelters and other items in Ukraine at a total cost of €62.3 million. In total, together with a second reserve of shelters deployed in Romania, the EU will now be able to provide temporary emergency shelter for up to 46,000 people.

Of the additional €175 million in humanitarian aid, €150 million is earmarked for operations in Ukraine and €25 million for operations in Moldova. The main priority is the provision of winter shelter due to expected low temperatures. Other priorities include emergency education, health and protection assistance, access to food and water for the most vulnerable.

“The upcoming winter is likely to bring major challenges to Ukraine and we must be prepared. Via our rescEU reserve, a temporary shelter capacity will be immediately deployed to three different regions in Ukraine: Rivne, Bucha and Kharkiv,” said Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, visiting Ukraine. “We are also working together by preparing a pathway for Ukraine to join the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.”

The new funding will bring the EU’s total humanitarian response to Russia’s war in Ukraine to more than €500 million.

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Press release