Over the past two years, Switzerland has made a total of 84.5 million francs available for winter relief in Ukraine.Image: EPA
The Confederation will invest 45 million to rehabilitate energy infrastructure and rehabilitate damaged housing.
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Switzerland is releasing an envelope of nearly 45 million francs to help Ukraine this winter. Following the intensification of Russian attacks, a large part of the Ukrainian population is affected by power and heating cuts.
The funds will be used to rehabilitate energy infrastructure, rehabilitate damaged housing and respond to urgent humanitarian needs, details the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) in a press release on Wednesday.
The Directorate for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) are supporting the Ukrainian authorities, local partner organizations and UN organizations in providing for the needs of the Ukrainian population during the winter period. Specialists from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Corps (CSA) are also stationed in kyiv.
Rehabilitate power plants
Across the country, they help Ukrainian civil defense forces and heating companies repair and return damaged heat pumps, energy plants and generators to operation. In Odessa, CSA support, for example, ensured that hospitals and schools remained operational during the cold season and that 105,000 residents had heating.
At the same time, Seco’s contributions to multilateral funds make it possible to rehabilitate and modernize municipal energy plants. This makes it possible, in particular, to finance spare parts and fuel as well as investments in energy efficiency. In addition, Seco financed the transport of materials that Ukraine urgently needs.
Vulnerable groups
Particular attention is also paid to vulnerable groups, notably internally displaced people and populations living near the front or in remote regions. Switzerland distributes heating equipment and winter clothing and ensures the repair and thermal insulation of damaged housing. More than 15,000 people benefit from this assistance, thanks to collaboration with partner organizations.
Over the past two years, Switzerland has made a total of 84.5 million francs available for winter relief in Ukraine. Since February 2022, the Confederation has provided aid of more than 477 million francs to populations affected by the war in Ukraine and neighboring countries. (ats)
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