Chernihiv, Ukraine, 15 April 2024 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with financial support from the Government of Latvia, has completed the renovation of Preschool Education Institution No. 19 and the kitchen block of the Chernihiv Regional Children's Hospital. These facilities are among the war-damaged sites restored under the "Latvia for Chernihiv: Restoring Social Infrastructure" project.

This support is a response to the broader context of destruction caused by the ongoing war. According to the latest Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA4), 3,373 educational institutions and 1,603 healthcare facilities across Ukraine have been partially or fully damaged since the onset of the full-scale invasion.

Preschool No. 19 in Chernihiv sustained severe damage at the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion: explosions blew in over 90% of the kindergarten’s windows and doors, while the roof, facade, and asphalt surfaces were severely damaged. Parts of the building also suffered extensive damage.

Thanks to the project, the kindergarten has been fully restored: the roof and facade were repaired, new windows and doors installed, asphalt surfaces replaced, and damaged walls, ceilings, and partitions reconstructed. The building was also thermally modernized, ensuring comfortable conditions for 150 children.

Project savings allowed for the purchase of 51 beds for 93 children beyond initially approved plans. Additionally, accessibility improvements were made for persons with disabilities. The kindergarten, the only one in Chernihiv’s Stara Podusivka microdistrict, was renovated at a total cost of $770,200 (or approximately UAH 31.9 million). 

As part of the initiative, the kitchen block of the Chernihiv Regional Children's Hospital was also restored. The kitchen block sustained significant damage from a nearby cluster bomb explosion, but has now been fully repaired, and new kitchen equipment has been provided. This ensures improved conditions for over 17,000 child patients annually. The total cost of this work was $538,000 (or approximately UAH 22.3 million).

Latvian Ambassador to Ukraine Ilgvars Kļava emphasized Latvia’s commitment to Ukraine’s recovery: “Restoring these facilities is about more than rebuilding walls; it’s about rebuilding lives and ensuring children have a safe, nurturing environment to grow and learn,” Kļava said. “Latvia is committed to supporting Ukraine in creating a future where every child can thrive.”

Maryna Denysiuk, Deputy Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, said: “Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, more than 3,400 educational institutions have been damaged, and 365 have been completely destroyed. In terms of medical infrastructure, 1,900 facilities have been damaged and 300 destroyed. These are significant losses, but we are making every effort to rebuild such facilities as quickly as possible.”

“Latvia has been supporting Chernihiv since 2023. The reconstruction of the children's hospital kitchen and the kindergarten is part of this initiative. Quality nutrition for children undergoing treatment is essential to ensure their comfort and a quick recovery. And the importance of communication and socialization that children receive in kindergarten is hard to overstate,” Denysiuk added. “We are truly grateful to the Government of Latvia and UNDP for helping restore these two facilities.”

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Christophoros Politis highlighted Latvia’s invaluable support and the significance of the initiative. “We’re proud to support the restoration of this kindergarten and hospital, which will encourage people to return to their communities,” Politis said. “Initiatives like this invest not only in infrastructure, but in every man, woman, and child in the community.”

Zhanna Sherstiuk, Deputy Head of Chernihiv Oblast Administration, said that the reconstruction of these two facilities was an important step in the recovery of the community. “Initiatives like the reconstruction of Preschool No. 19 and the kitchen block of the Regional Children's Hospital are extremely important for us, as they contribute to preserving human capital in Chernihiv Oblast," she said. "We are currently restoring facilities that were damaged at the very beginning of the full-scale invasion. I sincerely thank Latvia for standing with us in this process.” 

Overall, within as part of the “Latvia for Chernihiv: Restoration of Social Infrastructure” initiative, repair work has been completed at five facilities – four educational institutions and the kitchen block of the Chernihiv Regional Children's Hospital.

Media Inquiries:

Yuliia Samus, Head of Communications at UNDP Ukraine, yuliia.samus@undp.org