Source: UN News: Sunday, December 21, 2025 00:01 AM
How painful it is to imagine living one’s daily life in war and not having electricity or gas to cook food and keep homes warm in the cold of winter; Thousands of citizens of Ukraine are forced to live in a similar daily reality. Russian attacks often result in power outages and people often have to live without electricity for several days. Assistant Secretary-General Matthias Schmale, the top UN aid official in Ukraine, has said that almost half of the population of Kherson city, i.e. about 30 thousand people, has been deprived of electricity for several days. He told UN News on Wednesday that Kherson city is not the only one which is cut off from electricity supply. “A huge challenge is how to help people when they are without power for days, for more than a week at a time, a similar situation is currently occurring in Odessa.” Officials are confident that they can deal with power outages lasting a few hours or a few days, but dealing with outages lasting more than a week is truly challenging. © UNOCHA Due to Russian attacks in Ukraine, people are left without electricity and gas supply. Matthias Schmale, humanitarian coordinator in Ukraine, said that one solution to the electricity crisis is to provide generators or sufficient fuel in schools and health centers, so that when a crisis situation arises, people can gather in these places and feel some relief, and this relief can last for several days. One of them, a woman who worked at a power plant, said she always lived in fear of being attacked while at work. © UNOCHA Due to Russian attacks in Ukraine, people are left without electricity and gas supply. The woman said there are only five houses left where people still live, and “almost everything has been destroyed.” “I’ve stopped even thinking about it,” she said. “My house, my dogs, my cats. Neighbors left after their houses were demolished,” the woman said. “It’s been three years since they left.” Another woman said she came from the Kherson island district to seek help. And he doesn’t have gas to cook his food or heat his house. Ten days ago, her mother died in the hospital due to an explosive device accident. About six months ago, in a drone strike, her husband also died who was using public transport. The woman cried remembering her lost loved one and also expressed fear that there was a possibility that she too might not be able to return to her home. © UNOCHA This woman lives in Kherson city of Ukraine who came to the UN aid center to seek help. ‘Smile instead of cry’ Another elderly woman said, “Kherson used to be a busy industrial city, but not anymore.” This woman, in her youth, worked in the industry making weather instruments for ships. Matthias Schmale praised this woman for maintaining courage and sense of humor even in the face of adversity. The woman said, “I prefer to smile, rather than cry. I am already ready to cry. I have taken a lot of time.” The woman said in a painful voice, “I just want to return to my home and die there.”
