Bringing back the sense of home
UNICEF and USAID install boilers in IDP centers
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Fleeing the war in Ukraine, children with families have to leave their homes, and today they are deprived of comfortable living conditions. This is why one of the main tasks of UNICEF is to restore a sense of home to those who have lost it for time or for good.
The center for internally displaced persons in Tlumach, Ivano-Frankivsk region, is now home to five families.
"Once, 85 people have lived here, against the maximum possible number of 40. With the help of the state, volunteers, and public and international organizations, we can provide them with a roof over their heads, light, heating, and food."
The Rezanov family: Anatolii, Svitlana, and daughter Violetta, came from the village of Kazanka in the Mykolaivska region, and they have been living here for 10 months. They say moving to the Ivano-Frankivska region was the only way to save their lives. Svitlana Rezanova is 44 years old. Despite the difficulties, she smiles through tears.
"Here, we have everything we need for living. When you realize how many people have lost everything, you appreciate what you have."
Recently, a new boiler provided within the joint project of UNICEF and USAID was installed in the center.
"Of course, if we hadn't had hot water, we would have managed somehow. But you really need it, especially when you have children. It is a must for things like washing your hands, cooking, doing laundry, or taking a shower. This just makes you feel better," the woman says.
9-year-old Violetta Rezanova is pleased to show us her drawings. Here we see bright colours and a lot of Ukraine. The girl took her favourite bee-shaped bag from home. But, she says, the most wonderful thing that happened to her since they came to the Ivano-Frankivska region, was when her cousin managed to come here for a few days
The Hlevtsov family is originally from Avdiivka, Donetska region, and they have to flee their home, not for the first time.
"For us, it all started much earlier, in 2014. Since then, we have been constantly moving. Now our house in Avdiivka is uninhabitable"
The family has two children: 13-year-old Arthur and 10-year-old Karina.
"I had a normal life, I used to work at a factory. Everything was enough. Now we live here, we have everything we need. Without hot water, it would be difficult to do laundry and cook," adds Oleg.
Through mobile teams and local authorities, UNICEF delivered more than 900 boilers from UNICEF and USAID to places of compact residence of internally displaced families with children in western Ukraine. This will make their living conditions more comfortable and safe.
