The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine is supporting the uninterrupted provision of social services to Ukrainians by government institutions. Powerful generators purchased with the financial support from Sweden will help the Ministry of Social Policy and the Ministry of Digital Transformation ensure stable operation of registers and information systems that are key in providing social services to citizens, given the power outages.

UNDP Ukraine Deputy Resident Representative Christophoros Politis stressed that it was important for UNDP, in strategic partnership with Sweden, to support the Government of Ukraine in its efforts to protect the population during the war.

“UNDP, with the support of Sweden, is proud to provide the necessary assistance to government partners, supporting them in fulfilling their important functions even in the face of unprecedented external challenges. The purchase of generators and other items is another joint initiative of ours aimed at ensuring the operation of state institutions in times of war. Its main goal is to support the vital activities of the state, so that it can effectively perform its functions and provide the necessary social assistance to citizens,” Christophoros Politis said.

According to Minister of Social Policy Oksana Zholnovych, the registers maintained by specialists from state-owned enterprises are important for a number of popular social services and benefits, such as, for example, registering for housing subsidies.

“Ensuring the uninterrupted work of state registers and responsible institutions is an important contribution to the support of Ukrainians. This is also a key factor for timely provision of vital services for millions of citizens, which is critically important in times of war,” stressed Oksana Zholnovych.

Four generators with a capacity of 12 kVA were handed over to the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, as well as state enterprises “Diia” and “Information and computing center of the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine.” These institutions are the main administrators of registers important for the provision of public services in the country, including online government services.

In addition, the Ministry of Social Policy received other necessary things that would help when setting up safe places where ministry employees can work during air raid alerts.

For reference

This initiative was implemented in the framework of the Digital, Inclusive, Accessible: Support to Digitalisation of Public Services in Ukraine Project (DIA Support Project), which is being implemented by UNDP in Ukraine with funding from Sweden. The project was launched in 2021 and aims to bridge the digital divide between generations and various social groups. Its main goal is to increase the accessibility of new digital solutions, so that everyone in Ukraine can use electronic services, and no one is left behind.