In autumn, the Medical Aid Committee in Zakarpattya purchased a building where internally displaced persons, who ended up in Tyachiv because of Russian military aggression, lived. The building has not changed its purpose, moreover, is currently undergoing renovations to improve the living conditions of 62 new residents of the community.
"Now 62 people are staying here, mostly from the settlements of Luhansk, Donetsk, Mykolaiv and Kharkiv regions where active hostilities are ongoing. In particular, there are 12 children among our IDPs. A children’s room is being set up for them, funded by the international humanitarian organization "People in Need", and repaired by the Red Cross. We are actively engaging the help of both the community and foreign public institutions, so that the IDPs, most of whom are elderly people, can have a better life here. Recently, we have managed to update the furniture in the rooms, repair the shower and laundry rooms, toilets...", – said Olena Bisko, chief specialist of the organizational department of the Tyachiv City Council, who is responsible for the functioning of the social hostel.
Life in the shelter is focused on self-organization of the residents: there is a schedule for cleaning the rooms, conditions for self-cooking are created, and the volunteer community and philanthropists help with food. When an urgent need arose, IDPs from the urban-type settlement of Bushtyno were relocated to the facility in Tyachiv. In general, despite the different personal histories and geographical origins, the residents in the Tyachiv shelter has learned to live together amicably.
"One of the most urgent needs of the facility is to replace the old boiler. The resolution of this issue is at the final stage. It is also necessary to plan the replacement of the roof in the future. And in general, we are working on increasing the level of energy efficiency of the building, which is an essential requirement of the time and a guarantee of rational use of resources", – noted Nataliya Kabatsiy, the director of the CO "MACZ". The Committee continues to support the shelter, in particular, by co-financing internal repairs and re-equipment of the rooms.
In accordance with the comprehensive vision of the development of the Tyachiv shelter, which provides for long-term accommodation, the next steps of the involved institutions are aimed at integrating and facilitating the employment of internally displaced persons. The formats for realizing these intentions are currently being explored, taking into account the specifics of the region and the contingent. Currently, eight out of 20 able-bodied residents are employed – three work online and five have found jobs in Tyachiv. It is clear that long-term residence will require greater employment coverage, and the rotation of residents should be taken into account when assessing the need for jobs. It is important that the actions and intentions of non-governmental institutions are supported by the leadership of the Tyachiv city community, with whom the Medical Aid Committee in Zakarpattya has developed constructive business relationships.
The institution for IDPs in Tyachiv is one of three and the largest one, which is under the care of the Charitable Organization "Medical Aid Committee in Zakarpattya". The current situation in the country shows that the attention to this area of work was justified and socially demanded, and this activity of the Committee and partners will continue in the future.