January 31, 2023
News
5,9 million people are still displaced within Ukraine. Many of them found shelter in the Transcarpathian region, but not all of them have dignified living conditions, staying in overcrowded dormitories or gyms. Last year, Caritas Czech Republic together with the Transcarpathian Regional Council and the Mukachevo Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church started building modular houses for people who were forced to flee their homes and found safety in the Transcarpathian region.
Modular houses for people who lost their homes
A large number of Ukrainians who fled their homes found refuge in the western parts of the country. One of the regions where they found safety is Transcarpathia. However, the influx of people has put a huge burden on a region that had a population of 1.2 million before the war broke out. The internally displaced people have been staying in collective accommodation centers, such as gyms, dormitories or church premises. These places are not suitable to provide decent housing.
That is why, thanks to the financial support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, we started with the construction of modular accommodation units for people from vulnerable groups who were staying in the collective centers. At the end of last year, the construction of three modular townships was successfully finished. Once the houses are equipped with furniture and electrical appliances, they will be ready to accommodate people who have lost their own homes.
The modular houses, constructed according to high EU standards, are located in Mukachevo, Svalyava, and in the urban-type village of Serednie.
Safe housing for orphaned children and people from risk groups
11 modular houses were built on the territory of Mukachevo Professional Agrarian Lyceum named by Mykhailo Dankanych, which made it possible to accommodate around 36 internally displaced persons. Moreover, we built 12 houses on the territory of the Mukachevo Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the village of Serednie for orphan children from Mariupol, who lost their parents in the war.
In total, 33 modular houses will provide a safe space for 120 people in Transcarpathia. “Each house consists of a living room, a kitchen and a bathroom and is 30 square metres in size. There is heating and all the rooms are insulated. In addition, the necessary communications have been connected: water supply, sanitation and power supply. We are currently working with partners to equip the houses with furniture and electrical appliances,” said Natalia Matskova, project manager at Caritas Czech Republic in Ukraine.
Consequently, thanks to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Caritas Czech Republic in Ukraine and with the support of the Transcarpathian Regional Council, the most vulnerable families received modular housing, the opportunity to integrate into normal life and hope for the future.
