The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) signed a €2 million grant agreement on 18 September to finance housing repairs for over 500 vulnerable households in conflict-affected areas of Ukraine. This will be the CEB’s first operation in the country since Ukraine joined the Bank on 15 June 2023.
Internally displaced persons returning to their homes often find their houses or apartment buildings uninhabitable as a result of the war. Assessments by CRS and CARITAS show that most buildings are structurally sound but have suffered light to medium damage, especially broken windows and doors, and damage to walls and roofs.
The CEB-funded project will finance repairs for households whose houses or apartment buildings are deemed structurally safe but need repairs. The project will target vulnerable households, including women-headed families, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and families with few financial resources.
“Ukraine’s accession to the CEB was completed less than three months ago and we are already delivering on an operation on the ground. The grant to Catholic Relief Services will target those who are most vulnerable and in need of urgent assistance. We are certain that this initiative helps accelerate the implementation of important housing projects in Ukraine, with CEB’s financial support and expertise,” said CEB Governor Carlo Monticelli.
The CEB is also in discussion with the Ukrainian authorities to implement a joint project for capital repairs of damaged multi-apartment buildings.
“When people return to their hometowns it can be disheartening to see the damage to their homes, and overwhelming to figure out how to get them fixed. This grant allows them to do what they want the most, which is to live in their homes again. We might be just making small repairs but it makes a big difference in their lives,” said Davide Bernocchi, Country Representative for CRS Moldova and Ukraine.
The €2 million grant is financed jointly by two of the Bank’s trust funds: the Migrant and Refugee Fund and the Ukraine Solidarity Fund. This operation brings the number of grants approved by the CEB in favor of displaced Ukrainians, both in Ukraine and in host countries, to €9.5 million. The Bank also approved €1.3 billion in loans to meet the long-term needs of the refugees and the host countries.
See also: 🔴 LIVE UPDATES | Humanitarian response to Ukraine crisis