Zelensky announces new support programs for people amid energy shortages

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko have approved new support programs for citizens and territorial communities to help them cope with electricity shortages.

Zelensky said this in a Telegram post, Ukrinform reports.

"The Government of Ukraine must make it significantly easier for homeowners associations (OSBBs) to purchase new equipment – generators and other machinery needed amid electricity shortages. The support program for owners of private homes to ensure autonomous power supply will also be expanded," he said.

According to Zelensky, government officials are to present all details of the new programs in the near future.

He noted that applications from sole entrepreneurs for payments to help maintain and repair generators are currently being submitted actively, with almost 20,000 such applications already filed.

"The zero-percent loan program for purchasing generators has reached half a billion hryvnias and will continue to grow – sufficient funds are available within the program. The program of warmth packages distributed to people, including in Kyiv, is expected to reach a volume of 40,000 packages this week. About 400,000 Ukrainians are enrolled in a special targeted assistance program for those whose standard of living is, unfortunately, the lowest," Zelensky wrote.

According to him, these people received UAH 6,500 this winter.

"The Winter Support program has clearly demonstrated its results and usefulness for people – within this program, assistance has already been provided to 17.8 million Ukrainians. We will continue all effective support programs," Zelensky added.

Photo: Volodymyr Zelensky / Telegram