Operation Winter Survival - freezing weather kills older people in Ukraine

Freezing weather has killed 89 people in central and eastern Europe over the past few days and temperatures are set to drop even further, authorities warned this week.

Ukraine's health ministry said 43 people have died as a result of the severe weather in the last few days. Most of them were homeless who froze to death in the streets or old people who died in their flats or after hospitalisation.

Over 720 people sought medical help for frostbite and hypothermia in just three days last week, the emergency situations ministry said. Authorities have opened 1,500 shelters to provide food and heat, as temperatures plunged to minus 35C (minus 31F) in some regions of the country.

We urgently need your donations and warm clothes and boots to send to communities to help provide urgent winter relief. 

Watch this film to see why we need your support this winter now.