24.11.14, Kyiv
From mid-October till the end of November significant results were attained: 555 people were registered within the project, 110 people received money to cover expenses for rent of accommodation, 150 people – financial assistance to purchase food products, additionally, 444 people received support with humanitarian aid, clothing, shoes etc.
Fr. Roman Syrotych, Director of local Сaritas, informs: “We closely cooperate with state authorities, other foundations and organizations to provide greater number of people with the assistance they require. Problem of IDPs is not solved now and won’t be in half a year or a year. It is necessary to elaborate an efficient and forward-looking approach, taking in consideration the aspect of children upbringing, care of the elderly, social integration of youth and support of seriously-ill persons. Not simply to distribute clothing or pay for rent of accommodation (for some time), but to acknowledge the range of people’s needs and what is important – to provide the needful with possibility and understanding how to satisfy these needs on their own.”
In conditions of military actions in eastern Ukraine the number of IDPs is constantly increasing. As of 28 November there are over 490 thousands of IDPs in Ukraine, and 545,613 people are refugees, according to the UNO data.
“When I got to know about the possibility of assistance in Caritas, I called immediately to receive more detailed information and got an exhaustive reply. Afterwards, I collected all required documents and came to Caritas Kyiv office. I was impressed by a warm reception and attention. Completion of documents was very fast, project employees even offered to take hum
anitarian aid in form of clothing. My family and I are very grateful for the assistance and wish inspiration to those who are involved in such a significant work!” says Yulia, single mother of three children, IDP from eastern Ukraine.
Caritas Ukraine project “Assistance to IDPs from eastern Ukraine and Crimea” is financed by German donors and is being implemented in 9 cities of Ukraine: Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kolomyia, Novovolynsk, Drohobych, Socal. The project is targeted at rendering assistance to the most vulnerable categories of population that moved from ATO zone and Crimea: disabled persons, pensioners, single mothers and large families who can benefit from financial help and support for five months.
“The greatest challenge in the assistance we provide is that we are not able to secure material help for everyone who addresses us. Each person has his/her unique story, and as a rule, it is full of bitterness of hardships and grief. Such people receive pitiful assistance from the state, and it is undoubtedly true that it is quite difficult to survive when you have lost your home, work or even family members.
That’s why every day we meet people and provide them with various support. Apart from material help, we try to give an ear to everyone and share humane warmth with them. Therefore, more often we hear words of gratitude notably for such warm attitude than for material assistance,” Alla Kochubey, social worker of local Caritas, is convinced.
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