Because of unsafe situation in conflict zone, a lot of aggrieved internal displaced persons (IDPs) are looking for refuge in neighboring oblasts. Every day number of these people constantly increases. UNDP together with the European Union supports a number of micro projects in the regions that accept IDPs from the East to help them.

Joint EU/UNDP Project ‘Community Based Approach to Local Development’ (CBA) together with local authorities and community organizations create all necessary conditions to support the most needy IDPs: mothers with children, people of old age and disabled people. In Dnipropetrovska, Kharkivska, Poltavska, Zaporizka, Odeska, Donetska and Luhanska oblasts CBA Project supports two micro projects in each with total cost more than 12 mln UAH.

In Donetska oblast the EU/UNDP Project ‘Community Based Approach to Local Development’ implements two micro projects to create favorable living conditions for IDPs: one in Kramatorsk (Donbass inter regional center of professional rehabilitation of disabled people) and in Slovjansk (premises of ‘Slovjansk’ recreation center).

Today Mr. Neal Walker, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine visited one of these objects of CBA Project in Kramatorsk. Joint EU/UNDP Project creates favorable conditions for IDPs’ accommodation in Donbass inter regional center of professional rehabilitation of disabled people. In five stored building hot water supply system, a number of rooms and toilets will be repaired. Also, a new elevator will be installed.

‘Today it is very important for us to cooperate with new partners and organizations that will be able to develop Ukraine in this hard time. Providing different types of support to Ukraine to make it stable and developed country is among the most important priorities for the UN. Now we have to react quickly to all processes and events, especially in Donbass region, to look for new ways providing humanitarian aid as soon as possible. Also communities play a very important role in solving these kinds of problems’, highlighted Mr. Walker during his visit.  

Neal Walker participated in round table, saw the premises and process of project implementation. He talked personally to IDPs  living in the Center, and even tried backings cooked by dwellers of the Center specially for him.

In its turn, people living in the Center thanked UNDP for help and stressed that this kind of support is very important for them today. These people expressed hope that after repair works are done their life will turn to the better.

Upon completion of repair works, more than 200 people will be accommodated in the building of the Center. Total cost of the micro project is more than 800 thousands UAH. The EU/UNDP Project ‘Community Based Approach to Local Development’ supports Donetska oblast since March 2009.