Kyiv, 17 July 2023 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, in partnership with the Government of Canada, handed over 16 specially equipped vehicles to promptly address the recovery and reconstruction needs in Chernihiv, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv and Sumy oblasts. These vehicles will enhance the capacity of local- and oblast-level services to address the urgent needs of war-affected communities.

Each target oblast received its own set of vehicles that meets the main demands, as the transferred mobile hubs serve different purposes and are designed to provide specific types of assistance. One is a vehicle to provide socio-psychological services in areas affected by the war; the second a vehicle to assess the extent of damage or destruction caused to various items of infrastructure by hostilities; and the third a vehicle to provide social services to people with reduced mobility and residents of remote areas.

These hubs on wheels contain specialized tools and resources to support expert teams to foster social resilience and well-being at local level, and help communities and individuals recover from the consequences of war.

Head of International Assistance at the Embassy of Canada to Ukraine Ashley Mulroney emphasized the significance of joint endeavours and Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine. “Our joint initiative goes beyond providing practical aid in the form of specialized vehicles; it sends a resounding message of solidarity and hope to war-affected communities,” she said. “It symbolizes community members’ journey towards recovery, assuring them that they are not alone, and that international partners stand together in assisting them to rebuild their lives and communities.”

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Christophoros Politis emphasized the critical importance of sustaining public service provision and securing inclusivity and coverage of those services. The vehicles being provided today with the generous contribution of Canada aim at ensuring that Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction proceeds quickly, safely, and in a comprehensive manner. “These custom-made vehicles will provide timely assessments of damage to critical infrastructure,” he said. “They will also provide essential social support and services to people in remote communities and to those with reduced mobility, ensuring that no one is left behind in the recovery process.”

Background

The vehicles were procured and equipped by UNDP in Ukraine, under the United Nations Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme, with financial support from the Government of Canada.

Four United Nations agencies are implementing the UN RPP: UNDP, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Eleven international partners support the UN RPP: the European Union (EU), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, and the governments of Canada, Denmark, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Media inquiries: Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org