Ukraine - Coordination Meeting minutes, Odesa, 24 September 2026

Content

1. Logistics Cluster Strategy and UN Hub

• The Logistics Cluster coordination meeting for the southern regions was held at the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) office in Odesa.
• During the meeting, the Logistics Cluster presented its current strategic direction within the UN humanitarian architecture. Participants were informed that the country’s humanitarian leadership had requested the expansion of warehouse capacity and the development of humanitarian hubs to support humanitarian organizations. The Cluster is analysing the market and assessing locations where additional warehouse capacity could be developed in response to changing logistics and humanitarian needs.

2. Common Logistics Cluster services update

2.1. Storage

• Participants were informed that the warehouse in Dnipro had closed following a series of security incidents. Warehouse capacity is currently available to partners in Kropyvnytskyi 2,000 m², Kharkiv 2,000 m², and Odesa (Chornomorsk) 2,275 m². Special attention was given to the 300 m² of temperature-controlled storage available in Kharkiv.
• On 22 September, the warehouse in Chornomorsk was hit by an unmanned aerial vehicle. Logistics Cluster partner cargo, WFP cargo, and warehouse personnel were not affected, and operations resumed the following day. For security reasons, access by external visitors is restricted. Regular inventories continue each month, and partners may participate.
• Since the beginning of the year, 1,567 m³ of cargo from 15 organizations has been received for storage in the Chornomorsk warehouse.

• To access Logistics Cluster storage and release services, organisations are required to submit a Service Request Form (SRF).

  2.2. Transport

• All requests must be submitted through the official Service Request Form (SRF). Each request is then assessed individually, taking into account security and operational conditions.
• The Logistics Cluster continues to provide transportation services, including humanitarian convoys to hard-to-reach and high-risk locations. From January till now, 650 metric tonnes of cargo have been transported, and 14 convoys have been organized to 46 locations in southern Ukraine.
• Cooperation with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society was also highlighted. This cooperation makes it possible to transport small amounts of cargo to hard-to-reach or high-risk areas.

3. Winter preparedness

• Preliminary results of the survey assessing humanitarian organizations logistics support needs in preparing for the winter response 2026-2027 were presented. The most common types of planned assistance include generators, charging stations, fuel briquettes, winter clothing, and related materials.
• Kharkiv, Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Dnipropetrovsk regions were most often identified as priority areas for support.
• Participants also discussed risks related to a possible fuel shortage during winter. While most organizations currently report no major fuel shortages, the Logistics Cluster is conducting strategic planning for possible ways to ensure access to fuel if the situation becomes worse.

4. Gaps and Needs Assessment (GNA) – Preliminary results

• Preliminary results of the survey on logistics gaps and needs were presented. At the time of the meeting, 37 responses had been received from different humanitarian organizations.
• The highest demand for warehouse capacity was reported in Dnipropetrovsk and Kharkiv regions. The Logistics Cluster stressed the importance of organizations taking part in the survey because the information collected directly affects the planning of future Logistics Cluster services and infrastructure.
• The survey deadline was extended until 30 September to provide more time for participation. The Logistics Cluster encouraged all partners who had not yet responded to complete the Ukraine – Gaps and Needs Analysis 2026 survey.

5. Cargo insurance

• The Logistics Cluster shared findings from discussions with insurance providers. Some insurance products covering war-related risks are available. However, their use is assessed individually, depends on many factors, and is subject to several limitations including geographical locations and specific conditions. Insurance against war-related risks remains a complex issue that must be reviewed separately by each organization.
• The Logistics Cluster provides storage and transportation services but does not own the cargoes and does not insure them. Responsibility for insurance remains with the organization that owns the cargo, as confirmed in the Service Request Form (SRF). The Logistics Cluster does not reimburse the value of destroyed or damaged cargo. Partners must make their own decisions about insurance, and responsibilities in the event of an incident are clearly divided.

6. Discussion

• Participants raised issues related to fuel availability, winter fuel-quality standards, the delivery of equipment for people with limited mobility, the use of warehouses in frontline regions, and the future development of the logistics network.
• The situation in Sumy region was discussed separately. The current priority of the Logistics Cluster is to transport assistance to the region rather than establish long-term warehouse capacity because of security risks. Participants were also informed that the Cluster is developing a less centralized warehouse network to improve flexibility and reduce operational risks.
• The Logistics Cluster shared links to its official website, WhatsApp group, and contact-list registration form, through which partners can receive updates and notifications about Logistics Cluster activities.

The next subnational coordination meeting for the southern region is tentatively planned to take place in Mykolaiv in November 2026.

Contacts