Sumy, 23 August 2023 – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the Sumy Regional State Administration today signed a Memorandum of Understanding that identifies key areas for joint support to people in Sumska oblast who are directly impacted by the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation. To address critical needs of displaced and war-affected residents in the region, which has been on the frontline since the start of the invasion, UNHCR will continue to focus its work on repairs of damaged houses, provision of cash assistance and protection services, including legal and psychosocial counselling and, at the same time, contribute to early recovery efforts and initiatives that help displaced people and returnees find durable solutions in Sumska oblast.
In the most war-affected hromadas, such as Trostianets, Shostka and Okhtyrka, UNHCR has already assisted in repairing over 1,000 homes and aims to repair another 500 by the end of 2023.
Bordering the Russian Federation, Sumska oblast continues to face daily hostilities and regular shelling, which has prompted the authorities to initiate evacuations of people living within five-kilometers from the border. UNHCR with its local NGO partners continues supporting evacuated and displaced people as well as Ukrainians returning with vital items, such as matrasses, blankets, solar lamps, hygiene and kitchen kits, as well as protection advice and cash assistance.
While new critical humanitarian needs are created every day due to the ongoing invasion and hostilities, people in the Sumy region, including those who have returned from internal displacement or refuge abroad, are working to recover from the impact of the war and rebuild their homes and lives. UNHCR is therefore contributing to area-based early recovery planning and programs, including through its house repair program, legal aid to recover personal documentation, psychosocial counselling and support to the Social Protection Departments, so people can efficiently obtain vital social services.
“I am very grateful to the Sumy Regional State Administration for your strong partnership and efficient cooperation, which enables UNHCR to contribute to the collective effort of supporting people and communities in Sumska oblast severely impacted by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. I was shocked and very saddened to learn, during our meeting, that a Shahed drone had hit a school in Romny this morning, killing and injuring people and destroying the school. It directly shows that death and destruction take place side by side with a determination to recover and rebuild, and thus the need for continued humanitarian as well as recovery support to the region,” said Karolina Lindholm Billing, UNHCR Representative in Ukraine.
“UNHCR has been our reliable partner since 2022 when the full-scale invasion started. We are in close cooperation trying to improve the living conditions and to meet the needs of displaced people, affected ones and those who have already returned. The assistance provided by UNHCR and its partners is essential for us and all residents in the oblast. We hope that cooperation will continue”, noted Volodymyr Artiukh, Head of the Sumy oblast state administration.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, UNHCR and its NGO partners have reached over 144,000 people in Sumska oblast with protection services, cash assistance, non-food items, house repairs, construction materials and support in the collective sites.
Across Ukraine, UNHCR and its NGO partners reached over 4.3 million people in 2022 and over 1.86 million people so far in 2023 with protection services including free legal aid and psychosocial support, emergency shelter materials and housing repairs, support for collective centres hosting displaced people, and cash and in-kind humanitarian assistance.
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Victoria Andrievska
Associate Communication/PI Officer
Iryna Tymchyshyn
Assistant Communications Officer
