Today at the World Economic Forum, Administrator Samantha Power announced the Administration's intent to work with Congress to provide $125 million to support the resilience of Ukraine’s energy and utility infrastructure in the face of the Russian Federation’s relentless, systematic attacks. Funding will be drawn from the 2023 Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act passed in December.
Since the beginning of the war, and particularly since October 2022, the Russian Federation forces have deliberately targeted critical infrastructure like heating, power, and gas systems in an effort to weaponize the winter. Ukraine has demonstrated tremendous resilience in the wake of these attacks, with utility workers routinely risking their lives to repair the damage, often within hours of air strikes.
USAID will utilize the $125 million to procure vital equipment including additional gas turbines, high voltage autotransformers, distribution substation repair equipment, and backup power for Kyiv’s water supply and district heating services.
This new funding comes in addition to significant USAID assistance to Ukraine’s energy sector since the start of the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion. USAID has already delivered 1,548 generators to 22 oblasts across Ukraine, with many more on the way. These generators ensure electricity and heating for schools, hospitals, accommodation centers for internally-displaced persons, district heating companies, and water systems if and when power is knocked out by Russia’s air strikes. USAID has invested $55 million in Ukraine’s heating infrastructure to help the Ukrainian people get through winter. This assistance will benefit up to seven million Ukrainians by supporting repairs and maintenance of pipes and other equipment necessary to deliver heating to homes, hospitals, schools, and businesses across Ukraine. This support builds on over two decades of support to Ukraine to strengthen the country’s energy security.
The U.S. government remains committed to supporting the government and people of Ukraine in responding to the Russian Federation’s brutal war against them. The $12.6 billion in U.S. direct budget support to the Government of Ukraine has helped maintain critical government services, such as paying salaries of first responders, meeting pension obligations to support vulnerable citizens, and maintaining hospitals. In addition, the U.S. government has provided more than $1.9 billion in humanitarian assistance to millions of people, both in Ukraine and in neighboring countries, who have been forced to flee their homes and communities since February 2022.
In addition to strengthening Ukraine’s energy security during wartime, USAID assistance helps farmers in Ukraine to continue growing food for domestic and global markets, supports Ukrainian efforts to document and seek accountability for war crimes and human rights abuses, fills key gaps in Ukraine’s health system, and helps local government bodies in 91 communities respond to challenges caused by Putin’s brutal invasion.
Administrator Samantha Power Travels to World Economic Forum
