Topic overview
In brief
- Kyiv has only 4,000 shelters for over 3 million residents, leading to severe overcrowding.
- Many residents are forced to rely on shelters beneath public buildings, which are insufficient for the population.
- The ongoing conflict highlights the urgent need for more shelters and effective use of available funding.
Summary
In Ukraine, the ongoing conflict has led to a severe shortage of shelters in Kyiv, particularly in the Desnyanskiy district, which is characterized by Soviet-era housing blocks. As Russian missile and drone attacks intensify, residents are left with limited options for safety. Many buildings lack basements, forcing people to rely on shelters located beneath hospitals, schools, and kindergartens, which can accommodate less than half of the local population. During a recent night of attacks, approximately 56,000 individuals sought refuge with tents and sleeping bags, highlighting the urgent need for more protective spaces.
The head of the Desnyanskiy district administration, Maksym Bakhmatov, has pointed out that the simplest solution to the shelter crisis is the installation of prefabricated mobile shelters. These structures, which can be assembled quickly, have started to be deployed across the country, with the first one arriving in the Desnyanskiy district in December of the previous year, funded by local businesses. However, despite the availability of over $11 million for shelter construction in 2025, much of this funding remains unspent, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the response to the ongoing crisis.