Igor Terekhov met with the new UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine
Today, on 23 August, Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov met with the new United Nations Resident Coordinator in Ukraine, Matthias Schmale.
The parties discussed further ways of UN humanitarian cooperation with the city, in particular, areas of support for internally displaced persons and assistance in reconstruction work.
Ihor Terekhov congratulated Matthias Schmale on his appointment and thanked his predecessor Denise Brown and the entire UN team for their continued support to the community. He stressed that, according to official data alone, more than 200,000 IDPs are registered in Kharkiv, and the vast majority of these people, according to the mayor, are going to live here in the future.
«We have received a lot of IDPs. Officially, more than two hundred thousand, but in fact, much more. All these people were forced to leave the occupied territories, fleeing from shelling and war, and today they have the same rights as Kharkiv residents. Free transport is available for everyone, free hot lunches are given to everyone who comes for them, and IDP children study in schools alongside Kharkiv children. Refugees and their adaptation are a strategic issue for us», - said the mayor.
Matthias Schmale noted that his organisation will continue to provide the necessary assistance to Kharkiv residents.
«I am committed to working for results. We are ready to help in specific areas within the resources and capabilities we have», - he said.
