The Coca-Cola System and Red Cross Ukraine continue their joint efforts to support the Ukrainian population. In addition to the 45 mobile boilers provided last year, Ukrainian communities will receive an additional 60 during the cold season of 2024, the organizations said in an official press release on Wednesday.

In total, this will provide heating for up to 600,000 square meters of space in residential buildings and social institutions. Roughly €5,000,000 has been allocated for the implementation of the project this year.

“We are preparing for our third wartime winter, which will be particularly difficult. Prior years of experience suggest that communities, especially those near the front line, require special equipment for heating both infrastructure of critical importance and residential buildings. During the preparation for the cold season, thanks to the donation from the Coca-Cola System, Red Cross Ukraine will provide heating to thousands of Ukrainians, including hospital patients, students, and kids in kindergartens,” said Maxym Dotsenko, Director General of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society.

Red Cross Ukraine, in cooperation with governmental bodies, determined the communities in most need of help before the cold season, prioritizing those previously occupied or located in close proximity to the front lines. Ukrainian Red Cross Ukraine was in charge of purchasing and delivery of mobile boilers manufactured in Ukraine, which includes 16 mobile boilers with an energy output of 200 KW; 25 - with an output of 500 KW; one mobile boiler with an output of 800 KW; and 18 with an output of 1000 KW each. The project funding, amounting to €5,000,000, is provided by Coca-Cola HBC Ukraine.

“Last year we already donated 45 mobile boilers, helping thousands of people to make it through the harsh winter. This year, Coca-Cola HBC Ukraine donates additional 60 boilers to provide heating to schools, kindergartens, hospitals and residential buildings,” said Andriy Bublyk, Public Affairs and Communications Director at Coca-Cola HBC Ukraine.

The total capacity of the 105 boilers provided over past 2 years roughly equals 600 MW, allowing to heat up to 600,000 square meters of indoor space. These boilers operate on natural gas and are capable of switching to diesel in case of failures in the gas supply. One critical factor setting them apart is their mobility, which allows rapid relocation and deployment in different places in case of need.

In total, since February 24th, 2022, the Coca-Cola System and Coca-Cola Foundation have committed to provide Ukrainians with over 35 million US dollars of aid.