Photo: © UNHCR/Octavian Mohorea
14 March 2023 – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the Kherson Regional State Administration signed today a Memorandum of Understanding that sets out concrete areas of cooperation aimed at alleviating dire humanitarian needs of people living in the Kherson region.
Since the beginning of the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the territory of Khersonska oblast has been under incessant attack. Many residents fled, seeking safety in other parts of Ukraine, while people remaining in the hromadas and villages close to the frontline are experiencing regular shelling, resulting in casualties and destruction of residential buildings, and social and critical infrastructure. At the same time, people living in the areas of Khersonska oblast that were regained by the Government of Ukraine in October and November 2022 have started repairing their homes and rebuilding their lives.
In response to the humanitarian crisis triggered by the invasion, UNHCR has been providing critical assistance to people impacted by the hostilities. Priority is given to those with specific vulnerabilities, like older people, people 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. To date, UNHCR with its partners have reached 4.9 million people across Ukraine with these forms of assistance and services.
In Khersonska oblast, UNHCR with partners has so far reached over 164,000 people with humanitarian assistance and protection services.
UNHCR Representative in Ukraine, Karolina Lindholm Billing, commended the partnership with the Kherson Regional State Administration 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. On the basis of this Memorandum of Understanding, UNHCR will continue providing humanitarian assistance, such as essential items and cash assistance, as well as legal aid, psychosocial support and protection counselling to residents living in the frontline regions, and expand our support in areas that help people recover, return and rebuild their homes. Through the MOU, we will for example deliver construction material to Vysokopillia hromada, so that the people living and returning there can get help to repair their damaged homes,” – said Karolina Lindholm Billing.
Mr. Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of the Kharkiv Regional State Administration, said: “Our international partners are helping to rebuild buildings destroyed by shelling, providing repair kits and humanitarian aid. Cooperation with UNHCR will continue to strengthen.”
The signing of the Memorandum contributes towards the “Ukraine is Home” initiative, which was launched in January 2023 with the Ministry of Development of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure of Ukraine. Within the scope of this initiative, communities in Khersonska oblast will receive construction materials for repair of roofs and windows of individual houses.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Saorlaith Ni Bhroin
Communications Officer
+ 380 50 489 4485
Photo: Octavian Mohorea, UNHCR
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
