Shelter for Elderly IDPs Opened in Ternopil Region
“We want elderly people who were forced to save their lives because of war to have a roof over their heads and decent living conditions,” said Roman Zahorodnyi, director of Caritas, on October 3, outlining the purpose of establishing a new shelter for vulnerable people aged over 60 among internally displaced persons in the village of Petryky, Ternopil region.
Archbishop and Metropolitan Vasyl Semeniuk of Ternopil-Zboriv held the grand opening ceremony and blessed the residents and employees of the new housing.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Caritas has been caring for those in need, opening its doors to welcome people seeking shelter. During the most massive evacuations, Caritas’ premises were converted into a kind of “hub” of mercy. All the workspaces were adapted to serve as shelters, but the conditions were very bare: people slept on the floor and on mattresses. That is why “we can be proud that in this new shelter, people will receive decent care and proper living conditions, care and support. In fact, vulnerable people are the most helpless in dangerous situations and have the greatest difficulty meeting their needs,” says Iryna Drygush, a volunteer at the foundation.
Caritas Ukraine, Caritas Austria, the Austrian Development Agency, and Neighbors in Need supported the reconstruction of the building and its proper condition. The temporary shelter can accommodate up to 30 people. Currently, 25 people are already living here. The housing has everything you need, all amenities — showers, toilets. There are new appliances and furniture. Residents are provided with three mobile meals a day.
Internally displaced persons aged over 60 can settle here. The agreement is concluded for three months with the possibility of extension for up to six months. During this time, people are helped to find other housing, socialize, etc. Later, when there is no longer a need to provide shelter to displaced persons, the premises can be used to take care of local older people.
UGCC Department for Informationbased on the materials of the press service of the Ternopil-Zboriv Archeparchy
