World Vision completes winter cash programme for frontline families in Ukraine
Kyiv, 19 March 2026 — Thousands of people living near Ukraine’s frontline have received critical cash support to cope with the aftermath of a harsh winter, as humanitarian organisation World Vision scales up assistance.
Recent World Vision programmes have delivered vital support to families in Kharkivska and Mykolaivska oblasts, where ongoing conflict, displacement and damage to civilian infrastructure have left many households struggling with freezing temperatures, power outages and rising costs.
A rapid survey conducted by World Vision among displaced households with children in frontline areas of Kharkivska oblast highlights the scale of hardship families experienced during the winter months. All respondents described the winter as extremely cold — colder than the previous year — while nearly all households reported disruptions to essential services. 96 percent experienced electricity outages and 92 percent reported freezing indoor temperatures.
The assessment also found that many families lacked the resources to cope with these conditions. 76 percent reported insufficient heating supplies, while 56 percent said they did not have enough cash to meet basic winter needs. When asked about their most urgent unmet need, 84 percent of respondents identified cash assistance.
“Families living near the frontline are enduring freezing homes, power cuts and growing financial pressure,” said Arman Grigoryan, World Vision Ukraine Response Director. “Our rapid assessment shows that many simply do not have the resources to stay warm. Cash assistance gives families the flexibility to meet their most urgent needs with dignity.”
With funding from Aktion Deutschland Hilft, World Vision recently completed a Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) programme supporting over 2,100 individuals. Each recipient received 10,800 Ukrainian hryvnias (approximately US$290) to help cover essential expenses such as food, medicine, clothing and shelter.
In addition, 700 households received winterisation cash support. Each household received approximately 19,400 UAH (around US$520) to purchase heating fuel, firewood and other materials needed to stay warm during the coldest months.
In total, more than 4,000 people benefited from these programmes, helping vulnerable families manage winter-related costs during a period of heightened hardship.
For many families, the support made an immediate difference.
“This assistance means I can buy warm clothes for my children and keep them safe during the cold months,” said Maryna, a mother of two from Mykolaiv. “It gives us hope.”
Another displaced mother from Kharkiv said the support allowed her to buy firewood for her family. “This help allows me to keep my children warm. Without it, we would struggle to get through the winter.”
Cash assistance remains a key component of World Vision’s response in Ukraine, helping families meet urgent needs while maintaining dignity and flexibility amid ongoing conflict and displacement.
As humanitarian needs remain high in frontline areas, World Vision is calling for continued international support to ensure families — particularly those with children — can recover from the winter months and remain protected from further hardship.
Notes to Editor:
About World Vision Ukraine Crisis Response: Since the onset of the war, World Vision and its local partners have reached over 2,3 million people, including more than 1 million children, providing food, non-food items, cash assistance, protection, education, livelihoods, and mental health support. Operating in 22 of Ukraine’s 24 regions, World Vision continues to deliver both immediate relief and long-term recovery programmes to address ongoing needs.
For further information, please contact:
Laurentia Jora | Advocacy & Communications Manager | Email: laurentia_jora@wvi.org