Dnipro — On 16 May, H.E. Etienne de Poncins, Ambassador of the French Republic to Ukraine, visited Dnipro to meet with representatives of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and local authorities from Dnipro and Mariupol.  

During the event, multilateral memorandums of understanding were signed to facilitate a French-funded project aimed at improving the living conditions of people displaced from Mariupol in Dnipro. The delegation visited two sites both of which IOM is helping rehabilitate in coordination with government authorities. The construction board for one of the centres was also symbolically unveiled during this event. 

“Over the years, France has developed very close ties with the port city of Mariupol,” said Ambassador de Poncins at the event. 

“The countless victims of aggression, the number of people who were forced to leave this city, the women and children who suffered... This has left a heavy mark on all of us. The city fell victim to this war, so when Vadym Boychenko (Mayor of Mariupol) visited me in October 2022 and presented me with this project, I did not hesitate to inform my management in Paris about it. I am very pleased that our Ministry was able to join this project and allocate 5 million euros, and now it is being implemented under the leadership of the International Organization for Migration,” he added.  

The first collective centre visited houses 37 displaced families and was rehabilitated under the lead of the Mariupol Authorities. This accommodation is hosting vulnerable groups from Mariupol, namely people living with disabilities, families with multiple children and those that lost a family member due to the full-scale invasion. IOM is supporting the centre by improving its outdoor paving, reinforcing the basement to transform it into a bomb shelter and reinforcing the insulation of the building. IOM also provided essential aid kits, which included kitchen sets and hygiene items, to residents of the collective centre.  

The second and third building complexes will be established in the university dormitores. IOM will conduct the full renovation of the complexes, including providing equipment.   

Rafaelle Robelin, IOM Senior Programme Coordinator for Operations in Ukraine, who also spoke at the event remarked: “Our organization is very pleased to pilot this project providing transitional housing for vulnerable people in need of protection. Thanks to this partnership with the Government of France and the local authorities from Mariupol and Dnipro, displaced people who have been left homeless will be able to rest - physically and mentally - in improved living conditions.”