«"We are very grateful to UNHCR and other international partners for the support that has been provided to the residents of the Kharkiv region since the first days of the full-scale invasion, in particular, border and frontline settlements. Today, about 530 thousand internally displaced people are registered in the region. Our first priority is to request support for IDPs. This issue is under constant control of the head of the Kharkiv OVA, Oleg Synegubov," said Yevhen Ivanov.
UNHCR and its partners on the ground will continue humanitarian work in the Kharkiv region, emphasized Field Operations Officer Teddy Leposki.
«"People are losing their homes and loved ones every day. To help those affected by the armed conflict, in 2024 UNHCR supports and assists the Ukrainian authorities in the areas of reconstruction, providing residents with essential items, and cash assistance," Teddy Leposki emphasized.
According to him, this year UNHCR plans to provide communities with emergency repair kits and building materials according to needs; partner Caritas Ukraine will provide cash assistance and contracting support for the repair of 500 houses in the Kharkiv region. In addition, UNHCR, through a contractor, will repair 530 households, and provide another 300 with building materials. It is also planned to install modular frame houses for people whose homes were destroyed as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation. Separately, work is underway to improve the conditions of stay in two places of temporary residence in the region for a total amount of $100 thousand.
Teddy Leposky also noted that one of the priority areas of work is providing residents of the Kharkiv region with multi-purpose cash assistance, as it is the most effective and efficient way to support people who have suffered as a result of the war.
«"In 2024, UNHCR will implement cash assistance in the amount of 3,600 hryvnias for 3 months: for those affected by rocket attacks or artillery shelling, and for evacuated citizens. Registration of recipients of support will take place in multifunctional protection centers established in communities, with the help of mobile teams on the ground and remotely - through data exchange agreements between UNHCR and local authorities at the community level," said Teddy Leposky.
He added that during the year, they plan to provide financial assistance from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to 32,000 residents of the Kharkiv region.