Almost one in seven schools in Ukraine has been seriously damaged since the start of the full-scale invasion. UN to help rebuild 26 more Ukrainian schools Humanitarian aid
As part of the ongoing project “Repairing Schools in Ukraine,” another 26 schools in Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Sumy and Kyiv regions have received reconstruction assistance. These efforts are supported by a €28 million financial package from the European Union.
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is coordinating the reconstruction of more than 80 schools damaged during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The repairs are needed to ensure that students can return to school and attend classes in person as soon as it is safe to do so.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, almost every seventh school in Ukraine has been seriously damaged. More than 200 schools were completely destroyed, and about 1,600 were damaged. In this regard, many regions had to switch to online learning, which is complicated by a lack of electricity. In addition, more than half a million Ukrainian children receive education abroad, far from their usual environment and language environment. The restoration of Ukraine’s schools is important not only for the immediate resumption of in-person learning, but also for the psychological well-being of Ukrainian schoolchildren.
“It is imperative that – when the situation allows – schoolchildren can return to their usual educational institutions,” says Simon Porter, acting director of the UNOPS multi-country office in Ukraine. “By implementing this project, today we are making a contribution to the future, where Ukrainian schoolchildren will be able to resume their studies in conditions conducive to their development and well-being.”
In each of the educational institutions, selected for this phase of the project, a detailed damage assessment was carried out to determine the extent of repair work required. Renovations include installing new windows and doors, restoring the heating system, walls, roofs and classrooms. In addition, many schools received new furniture. All this is designed to create a safe, welcoming and supportive environment for students to learn and develop upon their return.
“The European Union remains committed to Ukraine,” said Samuel Marie-Fanon, Acting Head of the EU Delegation for Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine. – Ukrainian children and their future are at the center of these efforts. Thanks to the implementation of the project together with UNOPS, more than 15 thousand students will return to safe in-person learning.”