This was the topic of a work meeting between Vice Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk and Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Ted Chaiban.

We discussed the priorities for cooperation in 2024. One of those is to help communities close to conflict zones, especially kids and their families.

Ted Chaiban stated that his organization is ready to support the reconstruction of the territories, respond to humanitarian needs, promote children’s access to education, etc.

Iryna Vereshchuk recommends that next year the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Reintegration, and UNICEF will continue to work together to provide laptops to children who cannot study offline.

This project did well this year. Kids from rural areas in Kharkiv and Kherson regions got 10,000 laptops and now have full access to education.

UNICEF supports the establishment of school shelters, the restoration of water supplies, and the establishment of resilience centers. Specifically in the Kharkiv region, UNICEF is working on implementing six new resilience centers through various projects. They will be visible in Chuhuiv, Balakliya, Pisochyn, Kegychiv, Krasnohrad, and Valky.

In total, UNICEF intends to distribute $450 million to assist in the frontline areas in the upcoming year.

“We always lead by example in our cooperation. UNICEF makes quick and adaptable decisions. Adequate for the circumstances in the area near the front line. We always consult, reach consensus, and keep our word. This is an important condition for further successful actions,” the Vice Prime Minister said.