Sharing warmth in war-torn Zaporizhzhia

The cold weather has been relentless in the first months of the year, and only made worse by continuous brutal attacks that have left parts of Zaporizhzhia in south-eastern Ukraine without electricity and heating, both essential for the survival of war-affected communities.
 

71-year-old Tetiana Khizhniak is one of the many who have faced these difficult circumstances. She is the last survivor of her family, having lost her husband and three brothers to cancer. Despite living with a disability, she has chosen to remain in Zaporizhzhia city – less than 40 km from the frontline – and the sounds of war are no stranger to Tetiana.
 

In January and February, the city of Zaporizhzhia suffered at least nine major attacks, some of the deadliest and most severe since the start of the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation. As a result, civilian infrastructure was damaged, plunging thousands into darkness without heat or electricity.

"I just hope the lights stay on tonight. I know the risks. I hear the bombing every day, and I feel the ground shake. But I have gotten used to it, and I stay," she says, looking out at the frozen street. "I have lived in the peace of my home for so long. What else do we have to hope for? My home and memories are here."
 

To help people like Tetiana, already immensely affected by the ongoing war, during the freezing winter temperatures, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, with support from donors like the United Kingdom, has distributed rapid thermal kits. These are designed to insulate old, non-energy-efficient windows and improve the efficiency of heating radiators. In addition to the insulation kit, Tetiana received a heater to help keep her home warm, and UNHCR’s partners helped her install everything properly. 
 

"Without this support, I wouldn’t have been able to afford heating,” says Tetiana, who has dedicated years of her life to public service. 

As a law graduate and former civil servant, she worked tirelessly for her community – and this commitment continues now in war-time, as Tetiana is trading the warmth of her home for companionship and help with repairs. 
 

"Many of my neighbours lost their homes. Where else can they go? It's better for them to stay here with me than live in basements," she says. "We can keep each other warm, and they can help me fix what needs fixing. Alone, it's hard. But together, we manage."

 Tetiana tries to fill her days with movement. She spends her mornings tending to her garden, fixing what she can herself, taking care of her two cats, and keeping herself busy.
 

"I need to stay active because if I stop, I will stop doing everything," she says. "So, I don't stop." 
 

Thanks to support from donors like the United Kingdom, UNHCR and its partners have been able to bolster vital winter assistance to both displaced people and war-affected communities in Ukraine. Beyond thermal kits and heaters, this support includes cash assistance for the most vulnerable, enabling them to purchase solid fuel, firewood, or pay for heating. It also covers the distribution of essential winter items such as blankets and warm clothing, as well as providing generators and portable power stations to communities in need.