The first Mariupol families have moved into the new social housing project funded by the French government and Mariupol Reborn, which is responsible for the city’s revival plan. The housing is in a 10-storey building at the Dnipro National University, which is named after Oles Honchar, the Ukrainian writer and Second World War hero.
This is the second hostel to be adapted for housing for displaced persons from Mariupol. The rooms are fully furnished and there are children’s areas, co-working facilities and a gym. Initially, it will house 43 families, increasing to 150 when it is at full capacity. Priority is given to the most vulnerable people, in particular large families, the families of military personnel, pensioners and people with disabilities.
Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boichenko said: “Our overarching goal is to rebuild and regenerate our city. But while it is still occupied, we have to look after the community in different ways, for example by providing housing for displaced persons. We have, therefore, learnt how to unite to provide the necessary assistance and attract partners. We have worked out the mechanisms for securing finance from international donors, interaction with local government bodies and attracting interest from the business community.”
Mariupol Reborn has developed a new transparent model of cooperation with international partners. The Mariupol City Council provides the technical details. And the donor, in this case the French government, is responsible for controlling the finances, including selecting the contractors through the tender process. This ensures the Mariupol community has its input and the donors have clear visibility throughout.
Leila Salekhivaresh, the regional manager of the International Organization for Migration, noted the importance of joining efforts to support displaced persons: “Housing is one of our basic needs. We are very pleased to be involved in such a worthwhile project. For us, there is very little more important than supporting people who are struggling because their lives have been turned upside down by war.”
Ukrainian businessman Rinat Akhmetov also supported the implementation of the project through the SCM Group, which is a permanent partner of Mariupol Reborn. In particular, the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, involved in the reconstruction of the hostels, financed the common areas, including the communal kitchens, games areas, coworking facilities and playgrounds. Two SCM businesses are also involved: DTEK is providing the power and Ukrtelecom provides high-speed internet access.
Natalia Yemchenko, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of the SCM Group, and Member of the Supervisory Boards of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation and Mariupol Reborn, said, “We have every faith we will get our city back. Before then, we need to look after our most precious asset: the people of Mariupol. That is why the city council is working with partners, including the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation and SCM, to provide housing for displaced persons from Mariupol. We are providing a refuge for the most vulnerable people. And it is more than that. This housing may be temporary but it is still a home and each project is a little part of Mariupol.”
Regional Manager of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Leyla Salekhivaresh, Communications Director of SCM Natalia Yemchenko, Mayor of Mariupol Vadym Boichenko at the opening of the hostel.
Mariupol is working on temporary housing projects in other cities in Ukraine, including Chernivtsi, Zaporizhzhia, Kropyvnytskyi, Ivano-Frankivsk and Kyiv.
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