Helping Kharkiv’s Residents See a Brighter Future

The city of Kharkiv, once home to 1.5 million people, became one of the first major Ukrainian cities to face the full brunt of the Russian invasion in February 2022. It endured months of relentless shelling and missile strikes, leaving behind a trail of devastation and displacement. The threat to Kharkiv remains constant. The city continues to be targeted by strike drones, missiles and gliding bombs, many of which evade air defenses due to Kharkiv's proximity to the Russian border.

With funding from the government of Japan, UNOPS has been working since 2023 to restore housing in Kharkiv. The project focuses on repairing buildings damaged in 2022 that retain structural integrity – replacing windows and doors, and fixing roofs and facades. The goal is to provide residents with safe and habitable living spaces and help revitalize communities shattered by war.

Lilia Netesa, a team leader working on the repairs highlights the challenges she faces and the impact of the project on her life and the lives of the residents. 

"In 2022, Kharkiv's Northern Saltivka district was hit very hard. It was practically destroyed, and the people of an entire district practically became homeless. It requires very serious restoration, up to rebuilding entire neighborhoods," Lilia explains.

Despite the ongoing war and the uncertainty it brings, Lilia and her team continue their work, providing a vital lifeline for the community. "The residents are anxious about the situation at the frontlines. They had doubts about the project continuing after the recent assault in May," Lilia shares. "But when their windows arrived, they were overjoyed. It brought a sense of hope and certainty."

Lilia's daily life is a constant reminder of the war's impact. 

"One of the difficulties I face has to do with commuting to work. Sometimes I set off in the morning, and when I arrive in Kharkiv, I find that the city is paralyzed because it is being attacked. This brings transport to a halt, including the metro system. No-one can get anywhere," she explains. 

"Then there are power outages: sometimes they’re scheduled, sometimes they aren’t. Our energy system is badly damaged, and when a new attack hits, the power can go out without notice." These disruptions create economic hardship: "Jobs are scarce, wages are low, prices are inflated," Lilia adds.

The project's impact extends beyond providing safe housing. It offers employment to construction workers, like Lilia and her colleagues, and engages a local NGO in community mobilisation work, contributing to the local economy and providing a sense of purpose during a difficult time. 

"This project isn't just about restoring housing. It's about reviving the community," explains Oleh Hryshchenko, UNOPS civil engineer overseeing the repair work. "It's critical support for Kharkiv and its people in these trying times."

The project is repairing several hundred apartments, as well as common areas and building exteriors in around a dozen multi-apartment buildings. With extra funding from the government of Japan, the project was extended until December 2024 and will continue to provide essential support to the people of Kharkiv, helping them rebuild their lives and their city.

"Kharkiv is a pioneer in demonstrating how emergency response and recovery go hand in hand," says Simon Porter, Director a.i. of the UNOPS Ukraine Multi-Country Office. "The UN family is working closely with local authorities to provide humanitarian assistance and support early recovery efforts. Our project with Japan is a vital part of this effort. They are helping to keep the city running and, in the near future, it is hoped, to flourish."

About this project

In response to the ongoing war and the harsh winter conditions in Ukraine, UNOPS, in partnership with the government of Japan, launched a comprehensive winterization project aimed at supporting vulnerable communities in the Kharkiv region. In collaboration with local partners, this project addresses the urgent need for restoring critical infrastructure and providing essential supplies to ensure the safety and well-being of the affected population.

The primary focus of this initiative is to repair and revitalize multi-apartment buildings in Kharkiv’s Kyivskyi and Shevchenkivskyi districts, which have suffered extensive damage due to ongoing shelling and missile attacks. These repairs are crucial for providing safe, warm, and secure homes for thousands of residents before the harsh winter fully sets in. The project includes the restoration of around 1520 buildings, focusing on the repair of windows, walls, and utility systems.