UN representatives and international delegates visit Kharkiv
A delegation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Ukraine, together with representatives of the embassies of Croatia, Denmark, Poland and Latvia, visited Kharkiv today, 24 April.
The delegates visited the Svoi social space. This is a support hub for internally displaced persons created with the support of UNHCR and international donors. The guests got acquainted with the humanitarian situation in the city, saw the consequences of shelling in residential areas of the city, and discussed the current challenges for Kharkiv: large-scale destruction of civilian infrastructure, the urgent need to restore buildings and provide utilities in the face of constant hostile attacks.
The meeting was attended by First Deputy Mayor of Kharkiv Oleksandr Novak, UNHCR Representative in Ukraine Caroline Lindholm Billing, Ambassador of Croatia to Ukraine Anica Djamic, Deputy Head of the Mission of Denmark to Ukraine Lars Olav Søndal Petersen, Deputy Head of the Mission of the Republic of Poland to Ukraine Agnieszka Góralska and Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of Latvia in Ukraine Madara Silina.
Oleksandr Novak thanked international partners for their solidarity and support and described the current situation in the city. According to him, the number of damaged buildings has already reached 12,000.
«Kharkiv is being shelled by the Russian aggressor every day. Last night alone, there were 24 attacks - more than 70 houses, a school, a clinic, a hotel and business facilities were damaged. In total, about 12,000 buildings have been damaged during the war. But despite everything, Kharkiv lives and works. We take care of our residents, including internally displaced persons, who are provided with housing, education and medical care», - said Оleksandr Novak.
In her turn, Caroline Lindholm Billing assured of further support for the city. She emphasised that the UNHCR mission aims not only to record the consequences of the war, but also to provide real support to people.
«Through our presence, we want to demonstrate our solidarity with you. This period is one of the most difficult in the last three years of war. We understand that the attacks continue and people are tired. That is why it is important to be here, to hear you and support you. We are here not only as observers, but as partners who are ready to help», - said Caroline Lindholm Billing.
