OREANDA-NEWS. The European Union is preparing to step up its humanitarian aid to the people affected by the conflict in Ukraine, especially the displaced and those who need help to weather the severe cold which has gripped the country. Commissioner Christos Stylianides, responsible for humanitarian aid and crisis management, will be in Ukraine on January 26-27 to discuss the emergency with the authorities in Kyiv, to meet victims of the crisis in the East and to reaffirm the EU's solidarity with the affected people.

"I am very worried about the situation of the thousands of Ukrainians thrown in a real humanitarian crisis by this conflict. Winter is making their suffering even greater, and is especially harsh on the displaced, children, the elderly, the poorest. Europe has been helping the most vulnerable victims of this crisis since its early days and we will continue to do so. I will be in Kyiv and Dnepropetrovsk to make sure our assistance continues to bring relief everywhere it is needed. The Commission is preparing a joint humanitarian package with Member States – yet another sign that we stand together by the Ukrainian people and that our solidarity is tangible and collective," Commissioner Stylianides said.

Collectively, EU Member States and the European Commission have provided over €76 million in humanitarian and recovery assistance for Ukraine. On the ground, this assistance is translating into shelter for the displaced, health care for the injured and the sick, food, water, sanitation and other emergency aid. According to the UN, the conflict in Ukraine has displaced more than 600,000 people inside Ukraine and has forced close to 600,000 people to flee to neighbouring countries.