Diplomats witnessed how the ICRC contributes to strengthening the local authorities’ capacity to maintain essential services and respond to some of the needs of people affected by the IAC, on both sides of the front line. They visited hospitals supported by the ICRC: the physical rehabilitation project at Kharkiv Medical University Hospital and Chuhuiv Hospital, where the director demonstrated how operations were maintained in dire circumstances, with ICRC help to set up a new heating system and provide solid fuel for the winter. They also saw one of the 13 modular water heating stations of the Kharkiv Heat Network Company, whose rehabilitation the ICRC supported.
Field visits to villages in Izium District directly affected by the hostilities in 2022 were the highlight of the trip. Warmly welcomed by the Izium authorities, the participants attended a presentation on the challenges faced once the Ukrainian armed forces retook the district after several months of occupation. When visiting the households supported through the ICRC livelihood programmes, they witnessed the realities of life in economically fragile areas that are severely affected by weapon contamination, i.e. landmines and unexploded ordnance. These were impressive and moving encounters, showing the strength and resilience of the Ukrainian people and local authorities after almost three years of armed conflict.
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