World Central Kitchen is delivering hot meals to families across Kyiv as prolonged power outages disrupt daily life during winter. The response follows an energy emergency declaration and continued attacks on critical infrastructure.
World Central Kitchen Supports Kyiv Communities During Energy Emergency
WCK has expanded its food relief operations in Kyiv after President Zelenskyy declared an energy emergency in Ukraine. This comes as many households across Kyiv lack power and heating, which limits their ability to cook or stay warm.
As a result, the organization has prioritized meals that provide both warmth and sufficient calories. WCK opened multiple “Bohrach Stations” across the city to serve warm bowls of bohrach, a traditional Ukrainian stew, to residents.
According to information shared by WCK on X, warming stations have become a key part of the response across the capital. The organisation stated that these locations, known locally as “Invincibility Points,” provide a place where families can receive hot food during outages.
“Warming stations—dubbed ‘Invincibility Points’—have been set up around the city of Kyiv as families go without electricity for extended periods of time. WCK is supporting these points by serving hot bohrach—a beloved stew cooked all in one pot and packed with nutrients and care,” said World Central Kitchen in a post on X.
World Central Kitchen reports that on-the-ground teams are preparing to distribute thousands of meals each day, with the capacity to scale as needs increase. These efforts focus on families experiencing unreliable electricity and limited access to heat during freezing temperatures.
Warming stations—dubbed “Invincibility Points”—have been set up around the city of Kyiv as families go without electricity for extended periods of time. WCK is supporting these points by serving hot bohrach—a beloved stew cooked all in one pot and packed with nutrients and care.… pic.twitter.com/wJ1LazB5qa
— World Central Kitchen (@WCKitchen) January 19, 2026
Bohrach plays a central role in this response. The stew, made with beef or lamb and root vegetables such as potatoes and carrots, is slow-cooked and designed to be filling. World Central Kitchen explains that the dish offers a higher calorie content than borsch, which makes it more suitable during the current energy crisis.
The situation in Kyiv has worsened due to extreme weather and infrastructure damage. Temperatures have dropped as low as –15°C in recent days.
Following a large-scale overnight attack from 8 to 9 January, millions of people across the city and surrounding areas lost access to electricity, heating, and water. Although energy workers and municipal services continue repairs, harsh conditions have slowed progress.
Official figures indicate that around 800 residential buildings in Kyiv are without heating and electricity, affecting approximately 200,000 people. Nearby areas, including Bucha, Irpin, and Hostomel, have also reported severe disruptions, with heating systems almost entirely down.
Operating At The Frontlines
The organization, founded by Chef José Andrés, focuses on providing fresh meals during humanitarian, climate, and community emergencies. Its model emphasizes local sourcing and collaboration with communities to deliver food efficiently and with dignity.
Globally, World Central Kitchen has responded to hurricanes, wildfires, pandemics, and conflicts, serving hundreds of millions of meals worldwide.
As Kyiv endures ongoing attacks on its energy infrastructure, food access remains a critical concern. Through its warming stations and daily meal distributions, World Central Kitchen continues to address immediate needs while conditions remain uncertain.
