How your support is keeping families warm
As Ukrainians brace for the winter ahead, families in frontline regions such as Kherson are racing against time — not just against the cold, but against the lasting damage caused to their homes due to constant Russian shelling. For many, preparing for winter doesn’t mean stocking firewood or sealing windows. It means rebuilding what was blown apart.
Thanks to the generosity of donors to the CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, that rebuilding is happening — one home at a time.
Close to 70 homes repaired
Working alongside our trusted partner UA Brokers Without Borders and through Misto Syly (“City of Strength”), the Kherson House Repairs Project has now exceeded its initial goal of 60 damaged households, repairing close to 70 homes before the onset of winter. These are more than simply surface-level fixes. The work focuses on what matters most as temperatures drop: walls closed in, roofs stabilized, windows replaced — making homes safe, habitable, and warm again.
Helping people help themselves — safely
For residents living in high-risk “red zone” areas under continued shelling — places too dangerous for mobile repair teams to reach — additional support thanks to material kits can make the difference between staying in one’s home or being forced to abandon it. Residents often left with no choice but to carry out urgent repairs to their homes themselves. Leftover materials — chipboard, battens, nails, tarpaulins — are being carefully redistributed to households that have submitted requests and can safely collect them. This approach allows assistance to reach more people, without putting repair teams at risk, and ensures that no usable resources go to waste.
Providing shelter to aid workers
The ripple effect of this support extends beyond individual homes. In Kherson city itself, ongoing Russian shelling and “human safaris” utilizing drones have forced Misto Syly to relocate their team away from the city centre. They are now operating from a workspace that must be made safe and usable so life-saving work can continue. Leftover OSB boards from the housing repairs, a type of strong engineered wooden panels, will be used to reinforce their workspace, ensuring staff can keep supporting the community through the winter months.
What your donations to the CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal make possible
– Families can stay in their homes instead of facing winter displacement
– Repairs continue even in hard-to-reach areas
– Local responders remain operational despite constant danger
This is what the CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal looks like on the ground: practical help, used wisely, reaching people exactly where and when it’s needed most. As winter closes in, every repaired wall, every sealed roof, every safe space matters. And your support is making that possible.
Until January 12, the Myhal Family Foundation will match all donations to the Holiday Campaign, up to $1,000,000.
And when you donate to the campaign between December 20 and 31, you could receive one of the holiday gifts generously offered as a thank-you by our partners Zirkova and Meest Canada. Read more about it here.
This winter, Ukraine still needs us. Still needs you. Bring hope and relief this holiday season.
To donate to our Holiday Campaign using AMEX, PayPal, or Google Pay, please visit our CanadaHelps page.
About the CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal
Launched in January 2022 as a joint initiative of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, the CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal (UHA) coordinates the efficient delivery of humanitarian aid in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Its efforts support displaced persons, medical care, emergency shelter, and food security—both within Ukraine and among those who have sought refuge elsewhere in Europe and in Canada. To date, UHA has provided close to $100 million in humanitarian aid, reaching over 6 million people through 300+ projects.
About the Canada-Ukraine Foundation
Founded in 1995 during the 18th Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC), the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) was established to coordinate, develop, and deliver humanitarian assistance from Canadians to Ukraine. CUF continues to play a vital role as a national charitable foundation, working to monitor, promote, and support humanitarian aid initiatives. Its mission includes evaluating projects, fostering collaboration among aid providers, setting strategic priorities, and ensuring resources are directed where they can have the greatest impact. CUF also serves as a forum for individuals and organizations—across community, private, and public sectors—committed to supporting Ukraine. In addition to its work abroad, CUF also supports related initiatives within Canada.