The ongoing conflict in Ukraine changed dramatically the daily lives, sources of livelihood and living conditions of the people in this area. The cities of Luhansk, Slowjansk, Kramatorsk and Popasna have been partially destroyed: broken windows, roofs falling apart, missing doors and torn down fences mark the face of the towns. The weather conditions in this part of Ukraine are characterized by very cold long winters, which threaten to severely worsen the state of the houses and the living conditions of their inhabitants.
Alerted by this situation, Caritas and the H. Stepic CEE Charity launched a renovation project in cooperation with a local NGO. The initiative had to be urgently completed by the onset of winter. The exact damages and the most urgent cases were assessed with the help of the local state administration and local charitable partner organizations. Priorities were set on houses, which are inhabited by single mothers, people with disabilities, elderly, large families and socially deprived families. In the process was of primary importance not to completely renovate the houses, but to make as many buildings as possible “winter-proof”, so that the families would not have to seek alternative housing for the cold winter months.
Renovation work is still active in some of the cities - upon completion of the refurbishment process in all four cities substantial help will be provided to approximately 500 individuals. Utmost priority of this project is the rapid implementation, enabled by the swift and unbureaucratic approach of the Charity and the work of several dedicated local volunteers. The Charity continues to devotedly carry out its custom-made focus projects in Ukraine, aiming at alleviating the most severe suffering and counteracting the consequences of the ongoing political conflict. The provision of a safe roof over their heads for women and children in need remains Charity’s mission.
