World Health Organization sends power generators to health facilities in Ukraine’s western Rivne region

World Health Organization (WHO) sends humanitarian aid to health facilities, rescuers, and water utilities of Ukraine's Rivne region.

This aid will help the area ease the draining consequences of Russia's winter attacks on energy infrastructure, local authorities report.

What is the problem?

Over the 500 days of the full-scale war, half of Ukraine's energy sector has suffered from Russian shelling, with 271 hits to energy facilities being verified.

Ukraine's Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko stressed that enemy attacks on energy facilities are expected to continue next winter.

Ukrenergo power grid is calling for savings, as electricity consumption in the country has increased sharply due to the heat.

Ukraine still needs power equipment, especially high-voltage, as well as systems that can ensure decentralization of generation, in particular, gas turbines.

In terms of coverage of high-voltage heavy equipment, which is the most difficult to replace and the most needed now, we will have time to install no more than 20% of what really needs to be done before fall-winter, said Oleksandr Kharchenko, director of the Energy Research Center.

What is the solution?

Nine generators of different capacities have been delivered to the Rivne region. The equipment was obtained thanks to the cooperation of the Rivne Regional State Administration, the Ministry of Infrastructure and the World Health Organization, the mayor Vitalii Koval said.

How does it work?

These generators have a capacity of 500 to 1400 kW. They were sent to hospitals in Kostopil, Varash, and Mlyniv, as well as to fire and rescue units in Dubno and Sarny.

We need to be prepared for emergencies this heating season as well. That is why we pay special attention to alternative energy sources, authorities added.

WHO continues to deliver much-needed support on urgent health needs, with urgent priorities being mental health, rehabilitation – of the health systems and the affected populations – and community access to health services.

Despite the power and communication outages and subsequent forced displacement, Ukrainians keep working for victory and creating alternative tools to survive a brutal war.

For example, 18-year-old Yaroslava Polikarpova from Kherson has developed and is promoting her own startup to help in the "green" reconstruction of Ukraine.

Her bladeless wind turbine is quiet, compact, and environmentally friendly. The development is currently at the testing stage. Read more in our article: "Green energy from a girl from Kherson: how an 18-year-old inventor is going to help Ukrainians in case of new blackouts".