Kyiv is building up reserves of food and drinking water to prepare for prolonged power outages and other emergencies during the upcoming winter, the Kyiv City State Administration said on Monday, Sept. 7.
The city will prioritize assistance for low-income residents and people facing difficult circumstances, according to Oleh Kuiavskyi, deputy head of the Kyiv City State Administration.
Kyiv has already established reserves of essential food products as part of preparations for the 2026-27 fall and winter season. The supplies are intended to ensure residents can receive basic food if disruptions to the energy system affect the city.
The reserves will also be used at Points of Invincibility during prolonged blackouts, to assist people affected by emergencies and to provide food for workers involved in emergency response and other urgent operations.
With support from charitable and civic organizations, Kyiv can organize hot meals for up to 25,000 people, the administration said.
The city also plans to purchase another 20,000 food packages that can be distributed if an emergency occurs.
The preparations are being coordinated through Kyiv’s Humanitarian Headquarters, established in February 2022 to coordinate the city administration, district authorities, municipal companies, charities, and international donors.
The headquarters is responsible for tracking and distributing resources and organizing emergency assistance if the security situation deteriorates or critical needs arise.
“Food security in the capital is not only about having the necessary reserves, but also a clear system for distributing and delivering them to those who need help most,” Kuiavskyi said.
He added that the city was strengthening its reserves ahead of potential challenges during the fall and winter and continuing to hold agricultural farmers’ markets across Kyiv.
The announcement comes as Ukraine prepares for another winter under Russia’s ongoing war, with the country’s energy infrastructure remaining a key target of Russian attacks.