3456On 8th July high level EU and UNDP representatives visited Donetsk oblast to better assess urgent needs and plan further steps aimed at improving the lives of the people affected by the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

The delegation comprised of Mr. Berend de Groot, Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, Counsellor Mrs Helga Pender, Project Coordinator of the EU Delegation, Mr. Janthomas Hiemstra, UNDP Ukraine Country Director, Ms.Oksana Remiga, UNDP Ukraine Senior Programme Manager and Mr. Marcus Brand, UNDP Ukraine Democratic Governance and Local Development Advisor, along with UNDP field managers.

The officials met with representatives of the Donetsk oblast authorities, law-enforcement, housing and communal sector bodies, and local NGOs to get their take on the situation in the region and the first priority needs.1234

The UNDP and Donetsk regional administrations signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining current and planned areas of UNDP support to the region.   

On July 8th, the delegation visited several social facilities reconstructed by the “Community Based Approach Programme” (CBA), an EU-UNDP partnership, in Donetsk region, including Slovyansk resort for internally displaced people (IDPs) with disabilities,  an agricultural service cooperative “Universal” in Oleksandro-Kalynove village, and a kindergarten in Yablunivka village.

"As a major donor in this country, the EU is continuing to address the urgent needs of the IDPs in Ukraine. This visit has been extremely useful for us to better understand which are the current imminent needs in Donetsk region. The EU continues to support the related projects with our partners throughout the country and alongside the ongoing humanitarian assistance.," noted Mr. Berend de Groot when in Slovyansk and Kramatorsk  in Donetsk oblast.

“The conflict in eastern Ukraine has forced more than two million people to leave their homes, and has destroyed infrastructure, economic and livelihood opportunities, and thousands of communities. Supporting recovery and peacebuilding in the conflict-affected areas including for internally displaced people (IDPs) and their host communities, are among the top priorities for UNDP in Ukraine.  There is an urgent need for a systemic response to the needs of all people and communities living in conflict-affected areas, which goes well beyond the mere provision of humanitarian aid, - noted Mr. Janthomas Hiemstra, UNDP Ukraine Country Director,- “UNDP in partnership with the EU, Japan and others is helping to restore critical social and economic infrastructure and local government capacities in eastern Ukraine; to create jobs, spur entrepreneurship among IDPs and host communities; and to promote peace and reconciliation within and between the various communities affected by the conflict.

CBA in the Social Networks

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