Danish Red Cross in Ukraine

Disaster Preparedness: Skills That Save Lives 16 Disaster preparedness awareness sessions were conducted by the Ukrainian Red Cross, supported by the Danish Red Cross. These sessions were organized for representatives of key institutions, including hospitals, schools, and village councils. Participants gained practical knowledge not only to protect their families but also to prepare their communities for crisis situations – both on conflict-related disasters and climate disasters. What do participants learn? 🔹 How to pack an emergency kit to be ready for any scenario. 🔹 What to do if communication or internet services are disrupted. 🔹 How to organize evacuations quickly, efficiently, and effectively. 🔹 How to prepare the community to face potential disasters together. This knowledge becomes a lifeline in challenging conditions. Thanks to these sessions, participants feel more confident in facing emergencies and benefits the communities in becoming more resilient.

Building Connections and Resilience also during the cold months: Longevity Clubs Support Communities in Mykolaiv   Meet Olga, a resident of Mykolaiv and a regular attendee of the Red Cross’s longevity clubs. Though her children have moved away, Olga has found a new sense of purpose and connection at the club. "I need to socialize—what else would I do at home all day?" she says.   A retired hospital worker, Olga enjoys spending time with her peers, exploring creative hobbies like drawing, and learning practical skills, including first aid. "Now I know how to support someone who’s scared during shelling," she shares. She now helps her neighbors stay calm during air alerts and shelling that have increased in November.   Looking back to warmer times in the summer, Olga brought her community closer by hosting tea gatherings in her yard, complete with her homemade pies. And through the club, she’s made new friends who share recipes, shop together, and have prepared food for the winter to arrive.   Yet, her greatest wish remains peace. "I’m afraid to bring my great-grandson to my home because of the shelling… I feel sad losing time and not watching them grow up."   The longevity clubs in Mykolaiv organized by Ukrainian Red Cross, and supported by Danish Red Cross, offer more than just activities—they provide a lifeline of connection, support, and hope for people like Olga also during the difficult winter.  

Power cuts doesn't stop the Youth of Ukraine! Young people in Ternopil and Chortkiv, in the west of Ukraine, now have new spaces to bring their ideas to life, build friendships, learn new skills, and unwind in the established Youth Spaces of Ukrainian Red Cross. When the Ternopil center opened last week, it was during a city-wide blackout caused by an attack. But this didn't stop the youth leaders in opening and celebrating these essential spaces. Instead of dampening spirits, the challenging circumstances brought young people together—showing that facing difficulties as a community makes them easier to overcome. The Youth Spaces are much more than just physical spaces—they are symbols of unity and resilience. Designed to support young people, even during power outages, they offer a place to connect, collaborate, and recharge. Here, creativity flourishes, and bonds grow stronger, all while stepping away from individual screens to focus on in-person connections. Danish Red Cross, in partnership with Ukrainian Red Cross, is proud to support these initiatives. By investing in youth activities, we’re empowering the leaders of tomorrow and building a stronger, more resilient community today.

Growing Humanitarian Crisis – Millions of Lives Affected by Energy Infrastructure Attacks in Ukraine   As Ukraine faces another wave of attacks on its energy infrastructure, the humanitarian toll on everyday people becomes more challenging. Families across the country are waking up to cold homes without electricity, hospitals are struggling to operate under power outages, and vulnerable groups are left even more exposed to the hardships of winter. These are just some of the consequences of yesterday's attack:   📍 In Kherson, limited power has led to a temporary water supply schedule, leaving families with restricted access to a basic necessity. 📍 In Mykolaiv, educational institutions have suspended classes and alarm systems are down, leaving people in insecurity 📍 In Ivano-Frankivsk region, 300,000 residents are living without electricity. 📍 In Lviv region, more than 523,000 households are in darkness, making it difficult to care for children or elderly relatives. 📍 In Rivne, 681 communities are without power, some also without water. 📍 In Zhytomyr, the entire city is experiencing outages, worsening water supply issues.   These aren’t just statistics—they represent people. Parents trying to keep their children warm and health clinics working under challenging conditions to provide services during power cuts. Every attack disrupts access to basic services like electricity, heating, water, and transportation.   Humanitarian organizations, including Ukrainian Red Cross, are stepping in where they can, providing emergency support and responding to urgent needs

Respecting IHL is crucial—it ensures that even in war, there are ways to protect civilians and humanitarian aid workers.  Thank you to our Ukrainian colleagues for continuing to raise the importance of International Humanitarian Law.

Ukrainian families are preparing for a harsh winter "We all want it to be over, but it doesn't look like it is. I’ve lived here for over 40 years, and it’s heartbreaking to see how much my home has changed." - Nadiya, a resident of Mykolaiv region. Nadiya's family is seriously preparing for the winter: they have stocked up on rechargeable flashlights and bought many candles. Last winter, they experienced many power cuts, which made their life difficult. ‘We all depend on the internet to get the news. And when there is no power, it's as if life stops. As soon as the electricity comes back on, we immediately charge all our devices,’ says Nadiya. Together with her husband, Nadiya is stocking up for the winter: she buys potatoes, freezes meat, preserves, and pickles food. As winter approaches, many families in Ukraine, like Nadiya’s, are bracing for harsh conditions amidst ongoing challenges. Last year’s power outages left villages in darkness, making daily life a cold, uphill battle. This year, Ukrainian Red Cross, with the support of the Danish Red Cross, is providing critical winter assistance. This support helps communities like Nadiya prepare for the months ahead.

Massive missile attack on Ukraine leaves communities in darkness Last night, Ukraine faced one of the most severe missile attacks in recent months. Critical infrastructure was targeted across the country, causing widespread power outages. Odesa is among the hardest-hit regions, plunging into a complete blackout, leaving residents without electricity, heating, and reliable access to essential services. This blackout disrupts daily life for thousands. Families are struggling to stay warm, cook meals, and stay connected to vital information as temperatures continue to drop. For millions of Ukrainians, this is a grim reminder of the hardships of the winter. Power cuts have already begun, and the freezing weather adds to the struggle of everyday life.   As winter approaches, Danish Red Cross remains committed to supporting our colleagues from the Ukrainian Red Cross in this challenging time. Home Based Care program participants received cash assistance to cover the increased costs during winter. Efforts are underway to establish hybrid power sources for critical services and distribute blankets, repair materials, 15.000 sleeping kits, and 4.000 PSS kits.   Together with our Ukrainian partner, we work to provide life-saving aid to the civil population during this critical winter period.

What happens, when the Youth come together?   Ukrainian Red Cross Society facilitated the “Youth on the Move” Forum, to bring together energetic young leaders, dedicated volunteers, and civic activists eager to make a difference. Participants delved into how young people in Ukraine can contribute to build an inclusive, empowering future that tackles the challenges facing young people in Ukraine.   The forum featured hands-on workshops and interactive sessions where participants engaged with some of the elements from Life Skills, Youth as Agents of Behavioral Change (YABC), SPRINT, and SexEd. Representatives from various NGOs joined to foster collaboration and enhance awareness of humanitarian education programs.   Through brainstorming, sharing insights, and peer support, participants worked together to develop innovative solutions. As ideas were presented, one thing was clear: The Youth is highly dedicated to take an active part in civil society and work for the recovery of Ukraine.

This is the strength of partnerships across borders - we hope that this will be the beginning of a long journey on how to develop local, sustainable business models for charity

What does evacuation from the front line look like? Families with children, pets, and just two bags filled with essentials make their way cautiously down the high steps from the train to a crowded station. Waiting on the other side, Emergency Response Teams scan the crowd, ready to offer a hand, carry bags, or help those who can’t step off the train on their own.   Ukrainian Red Cross volunteers meet people from settlements closest to the front line in Donetsk region with warmth, compassion, and critical support. These people have left their homes in search of safety, and the first sight they see after the exhausting journey is the kind faces of volunteers, there to help and care for them. This time, Emergency Response Teams helped transport 18 people.   The volunteers do more than greet arrivals—they help them reach shelters, where food, water, and a chance to rest await. For those unable to move independently, a special evacuation vehicle is there, donated by the Danish Red Cross before the escalation. Now, it’s back in service, helping those who need it the most. Every day, this car helps transport people with limited mobility, pensioners, and those in need of rehabilitation to hospitals or from evacuation.   For 10 years, Danish Red Cross has stood by our partner Ukrainian Red Cross, providing resources and support during times of crisis, and we will continue as long as the needs are there.