The Bilozerska Community in Khersonska Oblast is located near the front line. The community was under occupation from the start of the full-scale invasion until November 2022. After its liberation, people began returning home, restoring their houses, and helping to repair public facilities. Olena Danyliuk, Director of the Bilozerska Community Development Municipal Enterprise, shares that despite constant danger, life in the community continues: the Administrative Services Center, military administration, and humanitarian aid center are all operational.
“Private buildings in the community have been partially restored under the Plich-o-plich (Shoulder-to-Shoulder) program. However, the government has now suspended its funding. We are constantly seeking donors to help us restore critical infrastructure and institutions that provide services to residents, but since active hostilities are ongoing nearby, we have been consistently denied repairs because no one wants to take the risk,” says Olena Danyliuk.
During one of the humanitarian missions of the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services”, Olena learned about the Provision of Lifesaving Winterization, NFI, and Shelter Support to Conflict Affected Populations in Ukraine project being implemented by the Foundation’s team.
“Our community has repeatedly received various types of assistance from the CF SSS — for example, non-food kits or hygiene products, which groups with limited mobility particularly needed. During one of the distributions, while sheltering from shelling, we learned about the opportunity to participate in a new project and applied without hesitation, as it was one of the few chances to restore socially important institutions and bring people back home,” notes Olena Danyliuk.
Anna Vasylenko, the regional coordinator of the Foundation in Khersonska Oblast, explains that the project team reviewed 130 applications from territorial communities in Khersonska and Zaporizka Oblasts. The list of 10 institutions selected for repairs included the Administrative Services Center (ASC) of the Bilozerka Village Council.
“Today, to document property damage and receive assistance from the government under the eRestoration program, people turn to the ASC. Although the community is in the combat zone, about 2,300 internally displaced persons live here. They don’t have the money to rent housing in safer regions, and they receive all necessary assistance at the ASC,” emphasizes Anna Vasylenko.
The Bilozerka ASC building has no windows, which are boarded up with plywood to prevent further damage. Cracks have appeared on the institution’s walls, and one office has suffered significant damage. However, the CF SSS team will soon begin the long-awaited repairs, allowing residents to receive services in comfortable conditions.
The Provision of Lifesaving Winterization, NFI, and Shelter Support to Conflict Affected Populations in Ukraine project is implemented by the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” in partnership with the international humanitarian organization CARE and with the support of NACHBAR IN NOT.