Kharkiv, 17 December 2025 — Units of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) in Kharkiv Oblast have received another delivery of assistance to ensure the stable and continuous operation of rescue services amid the full-scale war. The support was provided by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine with financial backing from the Government of the Republic of Korea, taking into account the region’s current security needs.

Kharkiv Oblast remains one of the regions most affected by regular shelling and damage to critical infrastructure. Damage to administrative buildings, essential services facilities, and logistics networks significantly complicates the work of emergency responders and leads to an increase in the number of calls. Under these conditions, the workload on SES units rises substantially, and their ability to respond swiftly to emergencies relies on access to modern technical equipment and stable conditions for daily operations.

As part of the assistance, emergency responders received modern furniture, computer equipment, and audio and video equipment, including a video wall, as well as other items required for the day-to-day functioning of SES units. The total value of the support exceeded US$200,000.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Ukraine, Mr. Park Kichang, emphasized that supporting emergency responders is particularly important for communities living under the constant threat of shelling. “Our assistance is aimed at ensuring that emergency responders have proper working conditions and can focus on what matters most — protecting lives and people’s safety. Together with our partners, we seek to ensure that they have the necessary resources and feel the support of the international community in carrying out their critically important mission,” he said.

UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, Mr. Auke Lootsma, explained that prioritizing security and civil protection needs to lead to practical solutions for people on the ground. “In practice, this means that frontline communities can rely on capable emergency services and clear response mechanisms. We highly value the work of Ukrainian emergency responders and direct our support where it directly increases people’s safety and strengthens community resilience,” he said.

Media enquiries
Yuliia Samus, Head of Communications, UNDP in Ukraine, yuliia.samus@undp.org