106 generators distributed across Ukraine to help keep heating and water and running for children and families

KYIV, 3 February 2026 – In response to power, heating and water disruptions, following incessant attacks on energy infrastructure and extreme sub-zero temperatures, UNICEF is scaling up its winter response to help keep critical services running for children and families in Ukraine.

Since November 2025, UNICEF has delivered 106 mid and large capacity generators across Ukraine to support water utilities and district heating companies. An additional 149 generators of varied capacities will be released over the coming weeks to further bolster operations and strengthen back-up power solutions where needs remain acute.

This support to municipalities will help to reduce disruptions, enable repairs and restore services faster during outages to provide more sustainable heating for hospitals, schools and homes. The emergency generator deliveries follow months of winter preparedness and previous investments, including pre-positioned stocks and backup energy solutions that are already helping to reduce disruptions.

“Children and their families are in constant survival mode right now,” said Munir Mammadzade, UNICEF Representative to Ukraine. “Across the country, vital services for children and families are strained and parents are struggling to keep their children warm, prepare hot food, and access regular running water. These generators will help the brave technicians on the ground to keep systems running to keep the heating on, hospitals open and water flowing,” added Mammadzade. 

The loss of power in freezing temperatures has resulted in water and heating pipes cracking and buildings quickly become unsafe. At minus twenty degrees Celsius homes without heating are not only uncomfortable but dangerous. 

For children, prolonged exposure to extreme cold can lead to hypothermia and exacerbate respiratory conditions. Darkness and freezing temperatures also intensify fear and stress. 

The additional generators form part of UNICEF’s large-scale winter response that to date has   supported 1.2 million people through back-up power and repairs to water and heating infrastructure, as well as providing nearly 187,000 people, including 88,000 children, with winter cash assistance.