Kharkiv, 15 May 2026 — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, together with the Government of Belgium, has handed over modern IT equipment and charging stations to the “1562” Dispatcher Service of the Department of Emergency Situations of the Kharkiv City Council. 

The “1562” Dispatcher Service operates 24/7, receiving requests from residents regarding emergency situations, including disruptions in centralised heating, water supply, and wastewater services. The equipment provided will help ensure that the service can operate without interruption.

Kharkiv, a large frontline city with a population of around 1.3 million people, shelters thousands of internally displaced people and remains under constant attack. Since September last year, the service’s personnel have responded to more than 778,000 emergency calls from residents, coordinating daily responses to emergency situations amid ongoing risks and pressure on urban infrastructure.

The equipment — consisting of portable power stations, computers, and operating systems — will help ensure reliable data storage and uninterrupted coordination between emergency services, even under increased workloads. In addition, charging stations will support the work of the service and an Invincibility Point, providing Kharkiv residents with the ability to charge their devices during power outages.

Commenting on the handover of the equipment, Robin Herrero, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Belgium in Ukraine, reaffirmed Belgium’s continued support for Ukraine: “Kharkiv is a city where the impact of war is felt daily,” he noted. “Investing in services such as ‘1562’ is a practical way to help the city respond to emergencies and protect its residents. Belgium is proud to be part of these efforts.”

First Deputy Mayor of Kharkiv, Oleksandr Novak expressed gratitude for the support provided: “This equipment is critically important for ensuring the stable operation of the team working around the clock to support Kharkiv residents facing disruptions in centralized heating, water supply, and wastewater services, especially amid ongoing attacks on our region,” the deputy mayor said. “The support of international partners, particularly UNDP and Belgium, strengthens our ability to respond to daily challenges and accelerates the recovery of frontline communities.”

Monica Rijal, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Ukraine, emphasized the importance of supporting services that respond daily to people’s needs under constant challenges: “Every answered call and every emergency team dispatched on time represents a tangible result for a family in Kharkiv whose request for help was heard,” Rijal said. “At the same time, this dispatcher service is already becoming an example of resilient recovery that is attracting interest from other frontline regions across Ukraine seeking to establish similar centres to support their communities and critical services. UNDP remains committed to supporting the further development and scaling of such initiatives across Ukraine.”

Background:

Backed by over US$9.6 million from the Government of Belgium, UNDP helps strengthen resilience and the sustainable development of Ukraine’s energy sector.

In addition to Kharkiv, Belgium is making a significant contribution to strengthening the energy system of Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Through the provided funding, 11.9 MW of generation capacity has been procured and delivered for the frontline region. Once commissioned, the equipment will provide heating to approximately 25,000 people and electricity to up to 118,000 residents during the season when the centralised heating system is not operating. 

Belgium has also supported a series of events bringing together representatives of local communities, government institutions, and the private sector to coordinate efforts for Ukraine’s energy sector recovery.

Media enquiries:

Yuliia Samus, Head of Communications and Advocacy, UNDP in Ukraine; yuliia.samus@undp.org