With the help of the machines, the aid organization wants to supply around 21,000 Ukrainians with water and heating. The generators with an output of 22 to 180 hp should all have arrived in the area of ​​operation by Christmas, the first delivery is already on its way.

In the past few weeks, attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine have increased, with almost half of the power grid having been destroyed. Power outages would also jeopardize the country’s water and heating supplies, which is particularly problematic given the eastern European country’s freezing winter cold. “In Ukraine, the temperatures at this time of the year can probably be minus twenty degrees. The attacks on the infrastructure are a deadly danger in winter,” explains Andreas Knapp, Secretary General of Caritas Austria for Foreign Aid, in a statement to the APA.

Caritas Knapp’s winter aid runs at full speed on a regular basis. For those in need, Caritas provides food, drinking water, heating material, blankets and clothing, hygiene items, psychosocial support and cash. In addition to safe places to sleep, eat and wash, the generators also enable child-friendly spaces where children can take part in sports and leisure activities in order to be able to escape the psychological stress of war, at least temporarily. Repairing damaged houses and shelters is also on the long list of humanitarian aid activities.

“All of this is only possible thanks to the great solidarity in Austria. Especially at the beginning, the willingness to help was overwhelming. In association with other aid organizations, such as in the context of Neighbor in Need, we can help in a targeted manner. But the help will take a long time breath. Last but not least, the increased attacks on civilian infrastructure at the beginning of winter are making the humanitarian emergency much worse,” Knapp said. Four Ukrainians could have already been helped by the previous 55 transports with 500 tons of aid. Humanitarian aid can only be secured thanks to donations from neighbors in need – given the 17.7 million people who depend on it in Ukraine, this is very important, according to Knapp.