“Heat packages” and charging stations: what targeted assistance can Ukrainians count on after the attacks?
11 February 11:18
ANALYSIS FROM 
Just yesterday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that “not enough work” is being done in Kyiv, as hundreds of buildings remain without heating. Today, after another nighttime attack with missiles and drones on our energy infrastructure, there are now over a thousand such buildings. Not only Kyiv is suffering, but also the surrounding region and a number of other regions, especially those close to the front line. What measures are the government and local authorities taking to prevent Ukrainians from freezing?
At the last conference call on the situation in the regions, the president criticized the current work to restore heat supply in the capital. Since there are still several hundred buildings without heat, this means that the work in the city is insufficient, Zelensky emphasized. He also said that cogeneration is being added in the Kyiv region on a daily basis.
“Heating kits are being distributed to people, and this program will be expanded. Every day, about 5,000 such heating kits are distributed in the Kyiv region,” the president said.
Who are the “heat packages” for?
Indeed, on February 1, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced targeted assistance for those who need it most right now.
“Together with the Naftogaz Group, we are providing targeted assistance to citizens with limited mobility, people in difficult life circumstances, and single pensioners. The first 10,000 “Heat Packages” have already been received by residents of the districts of Kyiv and the region where the situation is most difficult. These are primarily the Darnytskyi, Desnianskyi, and Dniprovskyi districts of the capital, as well as Boryspil and Brovary in the Kyiv region. The package contains items that will help people survive the cold season, keep warm, stay connected, and charge medical devices,” said the head of government.
In addition to Kyiv and the Kyiv region, assistance will be provided in regions where the situation is particularly difficult, in particular the frontline regions, the government has promised. Meanwhile, the list of those in need is growing after each attack on infrastructure. Therefore, many more so-called “heat packages” will have to be purchased. Although it is not perfect in itself.
The “Heat Package” includes items that will help during cold weather and prolonged power outages:
- A winter sleeping bag designed for temperatures of -25⁰C to -29⁰C;
- A 10,000 mAh power bank;
- A 1-liter thermos;
- Two flashlights with batteries;
- A pack of candles;
- A pack of matches;
- Three pairs of thermal socks;
- Reflective tape.
It is designed as a one-time targeted support from the state for citizens with limited mobility, single pensioners, and large families who are under the care of Territorial Social Service Centers.
And, as reported by
“There are currently no orders to issue ‘Heat Packages’ to all citizens with disabilities, and even not all single pensioners can receive them, only those who are served by our employees. Disabled pensioners who are internally displaced persons or single mothers are outraged, but if they are not on our lists, then they are not entitled to this assistance. We are powerless here,” says social worker Svitlana.
Charging stations for children with disabilities
However, parents and legal representatives of children with disabilities in Ukraine should not be disappointed. They can receive portable charging stations free of charge to ensure uninterrupted power supply for vital medical and rehabilitation devices. This was reported by the Pension Fund, which is accepting applications until April 1, 2026. The Pension Fund specifies that the state plans to purchase and transfer about 10,000 portable charging stations with an approximate capacity of 2 kWh. Such equipment is designed to power vital medical, rehabilitation, and assistive devices, without which it is impossible to adequately meet the needs of children with disabilities.
The free charging stations will be transferred to families raising children with subgroup A disabilities. This category includes persons under the age of 18 who have an extremely high degree of health impairment and are extremely dependent on constant outside care, assistance, or dispensary supervision by other persons and are effectively incapable of self-care.
One of the child’s parents, guardian, or other legal representative will be able to receive a portable charging station. To do this, you must personally apply to the territorial branch of the Pension Fund of Ukraine. After processing the application and making a decision, the charging station will be sent via Ukrposhta, and the applicant will be informed additionally.
More warmth and care are needed
Today, more than ever, people with limited mobility, disabilities, and socially vulnerable groups need all the help they can get. The thing is, this should have been thought about yesterday. Take, for example, the “Warmth Package”: it is a very small set of items necessary for survival, but it is enough to sustain life. As emphasized in a comment
“Caring for people with limited mobility in these conditions is already good. The only thing is, I wonder what principle was used to put this set together. Why was this particular list included in it? I would say that it is not entirely thought through. Ideally, such people should be evacuated from cold houses, but no one has thought about where to take them,” the expert noted.
According to the latest data, more than 1,100 houses in the Darnytskyi and Dniprovskyi districts of Kyiv were left without heating after the night attack, Mayor Klitschko said. Before the shelling, there were 80.
“The infrastructure facility that provides heat to these houses was severely damaged last night. Experts are assessing the extent of the damage and the prospects for restoration,” the statement said.
The plan was not to cut off electricity to people left without heating, which could have led to longer power outages for others, but so far there have been problems with this. The lights are no longer on.
Therefore, the aid program will have to be extended to other cities in Ukraine. In Kharkiv, the mayor said that hundreds of homes will have to be drained after a nighttime attack on energy facilities, which means that there will be new people in need of warmth and care.
Author: Alla Dunina
