Currently, the new project Provision of Lifesaving Winterization, NFI, and Shelter Support to Conflict Affected Populations in Ukraine is making it possible to repair socially important institutions in Khersonska and Zaporizka oblasts, including temporary accommodation facilities for internally displaced persons. Currently, the number of temporary accommodation facilities for those evacuated from the war zone is increasing in Ukraine. There are currently 1,038 such facilities. Last year, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a resolution approving the Procedure for the Operation of Temporary Accommodation Facilities for Internally Displaced Persons.
Read more about the mechanism of creation and registration of such facilities and the minimum requirements for the living conditions of IDPs in the conversation with Anton Krasov, lawyer at CF “Stabilization Support Services.”
– On September 1, 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the Resolution “Some Issues of Functioning of Temporary Accommodation Facilities for Internally Displaced Persons”. What exactly does it provide for?
Temporary accommodation facilities should provide IDPs with decent and safe conditions, especially in cases of persons with disabilities, the elderly, and children. The idea behind this Resolution was to establish minimum living standards for the functioning of the temporary accommodation facilities. In addition, the Resolution regulates the distribution of responsibility for violations of living standards between different bodies, such as oblast military administrations, local self-government bodies, and temporary accommodation facilities.
– What has changed after adopting the Resolution for IDPs and facility owners?
Some things have changed for the owners. For example, within a month of the Resolution’s entry into force, they were obliged to send an application to the oblast military administration to include a particular temporary accommodation facility in the required list. And, of course, they had to ensure compliance with the criteria specified in the Resolution.
The most important of these are as follows: showers – at least 1 per 50 people, sinks – 1 tap per 5-7 people, drinking water supply – 20 liters per person per day, water supply for sanitary and hygienic needs – 50 liters per person per day, temperature within 18-25 °C. On the territory of temporary accommodation facilities, there must be a place for cooking and storing food or centralized catering in compliance with the legislation in the safety field and certain food quality indicators. If possible, temporary accommodation facilities should be provided with wireless Internet access. It is also important that when more than 100 people are staying at a temporary accommodation facility at the same time, it is mandatory to have a medical worker available.
As for the IDPs, in my opinion, the situation with their living conditions has improved since the adoption of the Resolution.
– To what extent is inclusion considered in the establishment of TAFs?
– Certain signs of inclusiveness are indeed foreseen. Now, a TAF must have one shower, one bathtub, and one toilet for people with disabilities and low-mobility groups. It is also specified that these categories of people should be provided with conditions for free movement, regardless of the number of floors of the facility where they live.
– Who has priority accommodation in a TAF, and for how long?
The Cabinet of Ministers’ Resolution establishes the right to priority for accommodation and extension of the contract for such categories of persons:
– Large families
– Families with children
– Families with limited mobility
– Families with members that participate or have participated in combat
– Families with members being war veterans
– Families of fallen defenders of Ukraine
– Elderly people
– Pregnant women
– Individuals who have lost their ability to work
– People with disabilities
– Internally displaced persons whose housing was damaged or destroyed as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation. As for the period of residence, it is 6 months. However, it can be extended under certain conditions.
– Who controls fulfilling the requirements for the arrangement of temporary residence facilities for internally displaced persons?
– This is the responsibility of state military administrations. They also carry out monitoring within their administrative-territorial unit, which is under the administration’s authority. It is during this monitoring that it is determined whether a TAF meets these minimum standards outlined in the Resolution. Representatives of state authorities and local self-government bodies, international and national non-governmental organizations, internally displaced persons, and their associations (upon agreement) may also be involved in the monitoring.
Creating an effective housing system for IDPs is critical before the winter. Therefore, the team of our Foundation and international donors are committed to ensuring that people have a comfortable stay in temporary housing.
The project is being implemented in the settlements of Khersonska and Zaporizka oblast. The Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” is implementing the project in cooperation with the international organization CARE with the support of NACHBAR IN NOT.