How the United Nations Development Programme

in Ukraine Supports Internally Displaced People

Support of internally displaced persons and people living in Donetsk and Lugansk oblasts is a top priority

for the UNDP in Ukraine

“We have revised our plans and increased our help for affected regions in Ukraine to respond to the crisis and help the people caught in this difficult situation,” said Ms. Inita Pauloviča, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative.

Фото надано газетою "День"

Infrastructure restoration for 5.7 million USD

The Government of Japan, the Government of Ukraine and the United Nations Development Programme in Ukraine launched a new project to support restoration of critical social care infrastructure and services for the most vulnerable groups in post-conflict areas in Eastern Ukraine.

Humanitarian aid for IDPs for over 1.5 million USD

At least 45,000 IDPs, representing the most vulnerable groups in the populated oblasts, will receive humanitarian aid for over 1.5 million USD. The UNDP in Ukraine coordinates the procurement and distribution of the assistance. The help is provided by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ukraine. “We welcome this joint initiative”, said Mr. Neal Walker, United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine.

700,000 USD to prepare IDPs’ facilities for winter

More than 2,000 displaced people from the East of Ukraine (orphaned kids, people with disabilities, large families, single elderly people) will have a place to stay for winter time. Through the UNDP project “Local Community Development-3”, 700,000 USD has been streamlined to prepare IDPs’ temporary facilities for winter in 7 oblasts of Ukraine (Kharkivska, Poltavska, Odeska, Luhanska, Zaporizhska, Dnipropetrovska, Donetska). By far 14 projects have been selected and prepared for implementation.

New UNDP Project “Rapid Response to the Issues of Internally Displaced People”

A new project has been launched, which beneficiaries will be IDPs, host communities, and the central and local governments. The Project will intervene in the following Oblasts, known to be the high number of IDPs: Kharkivska, Dnipropetrovska, Kyivska, Zaporizska, Odeska and Poltavska Oblasts as well as parts of Donetska and Luganska Oblasts that are free from the armed conflict.

Grants for over 1 million UAH to NGOs helping IDPs

As a result of the UNDP contest, seven civic organizations across Ukraine received grants for over one million UAH to help more than 55,000 IDPs to solve their existing problems in employment, finding housing, obtaining public assistance and more. The seven grantees are “National Assembly of People with Disabilities”, “DONBAS SOS”, “European Association on Disability Rights Protection”, “Center for Employment of Free People”, “Youth Human Rights Group - Kharkiv”, “Light of Hope” and “Aware People”.

Supporting legal assistance of IDPs

Seven NGOs, engaged in documenting human rights violations in the Donbas region, legal and psychological assistance, as well as the construction of dialogue and reconciliation between the various groups, received grants from the UNDP, totalling nearly 500,000 UAH. As a result, about 11,000 displaced persons are expected to benefit by assistance in the next 4-5 months.

Supporting the Resource Center for IDPs

The UNDP supported the creation of the Resource Centre for IDPs, which united 7 NGOs providing assistance to displaced persons. As of today the Resource Centre received over 3,000 applications for employment, among which 500 IDPs were employed and 2,000 IDPs received counseling. Nearly 300 people received humanitarian assistance and housing.

Employment support of IDPs

The United Nations Development Programme will cooperate with the State Employment Center to support employment of vulnerable groups, including IDPs. “Supporting people in their search for a decent job is a top priority for us”, said Inita Pauloviča, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative.

Roadmaps for internally displaced people

IDPs are provided with relevant information: 4 issues of Roadmaps for IDPs (134,500 copies) were compiled,

printed and distributed jointly with the Ministry of Social Policy. Booklets «How to Survive in a Conflict Zone», compiled by

Donbass SOS, were printed (5,000 copies).

Psychological Support of IDPs

With the UNDP support, about 200 volunteers and social workers from Ukraine, from Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in particular, were trained to provide first psychological aid and were taught skills to overcome and prevent emotional and professional burnout. Among trainers, there were a clinical psychologist and a psychiatrist who shared their experiences of a 2008 conflict in Georgia. Guidelines for providing first psychological aid to displaced persons were collected, printed and distributed (1,100 copies)

Social services for IDPs

From now on state agencies are obliged to inform local communities, including IDPs, about available social services. The Methodical Recommendations to inform the public on social services were approved by the Ministry of Social Policy in Ukraine. The guidelines were developed as a part of the UNDP project in Ukraine. They oblige local authorities and social security departments to inform the public about available social services. The model of the integrated centre of social services has been developed by the UNDP. Its implementation would allow citizens of Ukraine, including IDPs, to get social help in one place.

Tuberculosis clinics in Eastern Ukraine receive critical materials and equipment

The UNDP purchased diagnostic equipment and supplies for TB clinics in Donetsk and Kyiv oblasts for a total amount of 19,960 USD, and delivered those supplies despite the difficult situation in the Donetsk region. “The conflict in the Eastern Ukraine cannot prevent us from fulfilling our commitments”, said Inita Pauloviča, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative.

Continuous monitoring of urgent needs

The UNDP is closely monitoring the situation in the regions to facilitate IDPs problems and population in the affected areas. “The United Nations is ready to support Ukraine t to address current challenges. It may be not only food and warm clothes for IDPs, but also long-term development projects”, said Mr. Neal Walker, United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine.

Dnipropetrovska oblast Luganska oblast Zaporizka olbast

Future plans

- Employment and entrepreneurship support of IDPs by creating temporary jobs, organizing trainings, providing advisory support, as well as initial grants and start-up packages.

- Seminars in different regions of Ukraine for volunteers on first psychological aid, prevention of emotional burnout and case management / social support of IDPs.

- Providing psychological assistance, rehabilitation and adaptation services for of IDPs by supporting organizations that provide such assistance.

- And other activities.

Together We Can Achieve More!