Organization supporting people with disabilities displaced from eastern Ukraine organizes clean-ups in Lviv region

The Luhansk Association of Organizations of People with Disabilities, which until recently operated in eastern Ukraine but was forced to relocate due to the war and escalating hostilities, has launched a campaign to clean up the streets of two communities in Lviv Oblast. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, these communities - Komarnivska and Velykolyubinska - have sheltered more than 1,200 internally displaced persons from war-torn regions.

In both communities, more than 200 activists joined the clean-ups, which were organized with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Ukraine and the European Union.

Frederik Kuhne, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, noted that such events help IDPs integrate into the new environment faster and strengthen social cohesion within communities, while promoting the development of socially useful initiatives.

“Because of the war, many Ukrainians were forced to flee their homes to escape danger, and we can only imagine how difficult that decision was to make,” said Mr. Kuhne. ”We welcome such events, which, in addition to unity, also help to make communities cleaner and take care of the environment in these very difficult times.

UNDP Resident Representative a.i. Manal Fouani noted the exceptional commitment of Ukrainians who, despite the war, are ready to work together with local authorities, civil society and IDPs to protect the environment in the communities where they live.

“The war in Ukraine continues to destroy the lives of millions of people, forcing them to flee their homes, but no weapon can destroy the will of Ukrainians to come together for positive change in their host communities,” said Ms. Fowanyi. We at UNDP, together with our European partners, are ready to develop such initiatives that, in addition to benefiting the environment, also strengthen the unity between IDPs and host communities.”

For reference

The clean-ups were organized with the assistance of UNDP, with financial support from the European Union, under the UNDP Resilience and Recovery Programme.

The UNDP Ukraine Resilience and Recovery Program was launched to support the Government of Ukraine in responding more effectively to emergencies, providing uninterrupted public services to the population and ensuring the smooth functioning of the country's economy. The program supports the initiatives that emerge from the inspiring resourcefulness of Ukrainians, which they have repeatedly demonstrated, and we, in turn, continue to work with institutions and civil society to strengthen social ties, respect human rights, ensure inclusiveness, protect and empower all people without exception.