Swiss to send CHF100 million in aid to help Ukraine get through winter
The Swiss government has promised CHF100 million ($100 million) in aid to Ukraine to help residents access drinking water and to repair energy infrastructure damaged by the war.
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Suíça enviará CHF100 milhões em ajuda para a Ucrânia passar o inverno
The government on Wednesday adopted a “winter aid action plan” for Ukraine to help mitigate the impact of the cold season in the war-battered country.
Switzerland will give CHF100 million in aid for projects “to support the urgent rehabilitation of energy infrastructure and alleviate the precarious humanitarian situation”, the government said in a statementExternal link.
Around 18 million people in Ukraine – around 40% of the population – are dependent on aid due to the war. With the onset of winter, this number may rise to 24 million, the government said.
Over 30% of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been damaged by Russian shells and rockets. The targeted attacks have left many people without access to drinking water, as well as disrupting power and telecommunications.
Switzerland plans to support Ukrainian energy companies to buy energy and spare parts and assist with repairs to railway tracks that transport heavy goods such as grain. The government says it will also provide humanitarian support – replacing windows in homes, and providing insulation and food – to help those worst affected prepare for winter.
Switzerland is also looking into how it can supply items such as generators, pumps or water-treatment installations.
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‘Kyiv already feels cold’, says Swiss president on visit
This content was published on
Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, who also holds the rotating Swiss presidency this year, arrived in Ukraine on Thursday morning.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.