Supporting resilience in Ukraine's Mykolaiv City

More than two years since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the situation for many communities across the country remains incredibly challenging. Relentless attacks on civilian infrastructure and services – including health, education and energy facilities – have left communities grappling with regular blackouts, faltering water supply and the prospect of a harsh winter.

For Mykolaiv City, besieged in 2022 and left without its main source of freshwater since the early months of the invasion, these challenges are extremely acute. Recovery efforts are hindered by constant further threats.

“The major factor here is that we face aerial attacks. We’ve had them before and we can’t rule out new ones,” says Mykola Lohvinov, Director of Mykolaivoblteplo-energo, the municipal heating company.

To help safeguard critical heat generation capabilities during the cold winter months, UNOPS recently delivered six multi-fuel mobile boiler houses to Mykolaiv City’s heating company. These units are capable of being moved around the city and connected to the grid where capacity is lost due to attacks or breakdowns – providing a crucial backup for heat generation. UNOPS provided similar units in 2023. 

“These boiler houses can be moved around and redeployed, ensuring uninterrupted heating for Mykolaiv’s citizens,” explains Mykola.

“The war continues, but we have always recognized that Ukraine’s recovery could not wait and had to begin as soon as possible,” explains Simon Porter, Director a.i. of the UNOPS Multi-Country Office in Ukraine.

“Through our partnership with Denmark in Mykolaiv we are helping put in place the foundations of a better future while addressing the challenges of today,” adds Simon Porter.

Recognizing ongoing needs, the Danish government has extended the work under this partnership through to mid-2025, allocating an additional $4.4 million for the procurement of equipment and supplies.

The delivery of mobile boiler houses marks another milestone in the ongoing cooperation between UNOPS and the government of Denmark, which has provided over $17 million in assistance to Mykolaiv and the surrounding region.

“We want the people of Mykolaiv to achieve a new standard of living and enjoy a comfortable life here,” says Jakob Torrild Hansen, Head of the Danish Embassy Office in Mykolaiv.

Through this partnership, UNOPS has been working to address critical needs in Mykolaiv and the surrounding region since late 2022. This has included delivering generators to power essential municipal sites, mobile heating units to keep hospitals and schools warm, city buses, utility vehicles, fire extinguishing equipment, and water supply solutions – all aimed at maintaining essential community systems.

Beyond the procurement of essential equipment and supplies, UNOPS is also implementing a comprehensive community restoration project in Mykolaiv, together with the government of Denmark and local partners. This project covers repairs to residential buildings, common areas and schools. It aims to reinvigorate Mykolaiv's neighbourhoods by ensuring people have safe homes, while creating employment opportunities and improving access to education.