Each relocated community must continue to care for its people, says Tetiana Kiriienko

Deputy Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity Tetiana Kirienko visited a shelter for internally displaced persons, where she discussed the needs of IDPs with community representatives and social protection officials from Rubizhne, Kreminna, Starobilsk, Lysychansk and Sievierodonetsk of Luhansk region.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the main programmes for IDPs and the arrangement of temporary accommodation. In particular, the communities were interested in the issues connected with the procedure for placing IDPs and the terms of their stay, as well as the creation of appropriate conditions for persons with disabilities and accommodation in temporary shelters with pets.

Those present appealed to the Deputy Minister with an initiative to review certain legislative provisions concerning the list of recipients of housing assistance for IDPs.

Tetiana Kiriienko answered all questions from those present, in particular regarding:

– Provision of subsidies from the state budget to local budgets for the construction of new housing and allocation of land plots. Reconstruction of existing residential buildings and dormitories into social/service housing.

– Payment of compensation for lost housing in the occupied territories.

“Dialogue between the central government and local officials must now be a top priority. It is during such communication that we discuss all the problematic issues and algorithms that need to be finalized. It is also important that relocated communities continue to take care of their people, who have fled the war," said the Deputy Minister.

During her visit, Tetiana Kiriienko also visited a shelter for IDPs run by the Luhansk Regional Council. The Luhansk Regional State Administration demonstrated a new model of housing for IDPs, which does not involve state funding for accommodation, but provides a wide range of services: medical, social and humanitarian. Currently, 375 displaced persons live here, who maintain their place of residence themselves. For example, there is a small bakery and a sewing club on the premises.

In addition, the shelter provides administrative services.