autor – unian.net
The purpose of the platform is to facilitate access to solutions for the reconstruction of damaged and destroyed housing for Ukrainians, the mechanism of which is provided for by Bill No. 7198.
The Ministry of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees signed a memorandum of understanding and launched the “Ukraine is Home” project.
Its goal is to facilitate access to solutions for the reconstruction of damaged and destroyed housing for Ukrainians, the mechanism of which is provided for by draft law No. 7198, said the head of the committee on the organization of state power, self-government, regional development and urban planning, Olena Shulyak.
“In continuation of our legislative initiative, draft law No. 7198 on compensation for damaged and destroyed housing to Ukrainians, the platform “Ukraine is our Home” is being launched in Ukraine. It is based on three principles: favorable reconstruction in environmentally sustainable and energy-efficient ways; provision of communities with means of civil protection; expanded access to housing and services for persons with special vulnerability – with mobility restrictions, victims during the war, including veterans”, – said Shulyak at the results of the meeting with the participation of the Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Communities, Territories and Development of infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov and the representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Ukraine Karolina Lindholm Billing.
In particular, the memorandum envisages cooperation in the development of digital reconstruction management, which will facilitate the assessment of damage and the identification of needs for restoration. In addition, the parties will consider the possibility of creating a virtual and physical network of construction hubs in strategic locations (the main purpose of the hubs is the consolidation, storage, distribution and management of construction materials necessary for the repair and urgent reconstruction of the damaged housing stock).
According to Kubrakov, the platform will allow international partners, businesses, humanitarian organizations, donors and IFIs to integrate information on damage, requested and provided aid for reconstruction and provision of housing.
“The focus of the project is transparent and fair compensation for damaged and destroyed housing, the mechanism of which is defined by Bill No. 7198. On the basis of the “Action” application and the “Epidtrymka” mechanism, we plan to provide direct assistance to citizens to restore housing,” Kubrakov noted.
In her turn, the representative of the UNHCR in Ukraine, Karolina Lindholm Billing, emphasized that despite the fact that the war against Ukraine continues, the signs of rapid recovery are becoming more and more obvious – and people are cautiously but determinedly starting to return.
“Their courage and resilience must be supported financially and by the efforts of the government and its humanitarian and development partners,” she noted.
The Ministry of Reconstruction and UNHCR are also mobilizing support for the development of innovative solutions, including the introduction of “reconstruction vouchers” or conditional “repair cash”. With their help, the victims will be able to repair their homes.
Also, the Authority is already working to provide prefab modular homes as a transitional housing solution for people whose homes are beyond repair. A pilot procurement of prefab and fully functional locally produced modular houses for such families is currently underway.