UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and the Zhytomyr Regional State Administration signed yesterday a Memorandum of Understanding that sets out concrete areas of cooperation aimed at supporting the humanitarian needs of people living in and returning to the Zhytomyr region.
Following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, hostilities forced approximately 300,000 locals from their homes in search of safety. An estimated 289 civilian homes and infrastructure were destroyed, and 1,000 homes were damaged in the oblast as a result of shelling.
Since March, UNHCR has been providing humanitarian assistance to people whose homes and lives have been directly impacted by the hostilities. Priority is given to those with specific vulnerabilities, like older persons, persons with disabilities and families with young children. Essential items like mattresses, blankets and kitchen sets have been distributed, in addition to cash assistance and emergency repair materials for damaged houses. Legal and psychosocial support has also been provided through UNHCR’s local NGO partners working in the region.
In October, UNHCR’s program expanded to include cash for repairs of individual houses that had been damaged.
UNHCR Representative in Ukraine, Karolina Lindholm Billing commended the partnership with the Head of the Zhytomyr Regional State Administration, Mr. Vitaliy Bunechko, and his team during the signing ceremony “I would like to thank you and your team for enabling UNHCR to support the Oblast Administration to support the people impacted by the war against Ukraine. Our contribution is modest compared to the overall needs but is part of a collective effort to support people and communities to recover and rebuild.”
Mr. Vitaliy Bunechko, Head of the Zhytomyr Oblast Military Administration, emphasized that the collaboration with the UNHCR is important for the restoration of Zhytomyr region: “Your organization has been providing assistance to Ukrainians and residents of Zhytomyrska oblast from the first days of war. Your contribution has played an important role in managing an increased workload in the oblast. Signing the Memorandum of Understanding today will open broader possibilities for us in recovering our region. Thank you for accepting the list of damaged and destroyed houses and starting your engagement in addressing the issue of housing straight away. Jointly with UNHCR, we have been able to provide cash assistance, to vulnerable individuals.”
To date, approximately 82,000 people in the Zhytomyr region have been assisted through UNHCR’s protection, cash and in-kind assistance and housing repair programmes. Across Ukraine to date, UNHCR has provided humanitarian assistance and services to more than 3.69 million people impacted by the war.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Saorlaith Ni Bhroin
Communications Officer
+ 380 50 489 4485
Photo: Zhytomyr State Oblast Administartion
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