Reconstruction of residential buildings started in Kyiv region with international assistance
2 July 2024 21:00
The construction of houses for families whose homes were destroyed by the aggressor country’s military actions has begun in Ivankov, Mikhailovka and Irpen. Due to the lack of necessary documents for compensation from the state, one of the world’s largest construction companies was engaged to rebuild the houses.
“As a result of the full-scale invasion, more than 26,000 apartment buildings or private houses in Kyiv region were destroyed or damaged. Our main task is to ensure that people have a place to return to and a place to live. Reconstruction requires a lot of money, so we are using all possible resources. We are grateful to socially responsible businesses for their help and new solutions for the prompt restoration of housing,” Ruslan Kravchenko, Head of the Kyiv Regional State Administration, comments on the project.
One of the families that will soon receive new housing lives in Ivankiv.
“This is the first time that a house will be restored in the community for a large family that lost it due to Russian aggression but cannot receive compensation from the state,” says Maryna Beschastna, deputy head of the Ivankivska settlement territorial community.
The Zaritsky family lived in a makeshift hut with an open-air kitchen for six months after their house was destroyed by Russian shelling. The fire destroyed all their belongings, from phones to passports. The family is unable to rebuild their home on their own.
For more than two years, the Hryn family has been living in a 10-square-metre van they built themselves in Mykhailivka. A Russian shell hit their newly built house on credit.
“We bought a gas cylinder, tiles, and water in a bucket. The toilet is outside. We heat the bath in the veranda and bathe in a basin,” says Iryna Hryn, a mother of 2, a nurse.
But the family of veteran Yuriy Savchenko was separated by thousands of kilometres after the loss of their home in Irpin. The soldier’s grandchildren now live in Germany because they have no home to return to. During the two years of full-scale war, the sons saw their mother in person only once. The last time they hugged their grandfather was on 24 February.
“We dream of having a new home, of returning home,” says Vlad, Yurii’s grandson.
The joint project of CEMARK and the Rayon No. 1 Charitable Foundation is aimed at supporting families who cannot receive compensation from the state due to a lack of documents. Many people did not have time or were unable to obtain all the permits due to complicated and expensive procedures, explains Andriy Titarenko, co-founder of Rayon 1. Since 2022, the organisation has rebuilt more than 200 homes for Ukrainians, including in the frontline areas.
“The families were selected carefully, taking into account their needs and circumstances. Our goal is to provide people with decent housing and create the conditions for a return to normal life.”
For the project, CEMARK, a member of the international CRH group, chose modular block technology. It is also called 3D technology or prefabricated block houses. The prefabricated reinforced concrete modules will be assembled on the plots of families according to the principle of construction. The assembly of the house frame will take several days, and the cost estimate will be 1.5 times lower than the construction of a brick analogue. Families will be able to move into the renovated houses in a matter of months.
“Modular block construction is widespread in Scandinavian countries. This technology is used to build both housing and social facilities, such as schools, kindergartens, and hospitals. Due to the high demand in the region, CRH’s plants in Denmark produce modular block structures. This technology allows us to quickly and efficiently rebuild housing for Ukrainians who lost their homes due to the war,” said Mykhailo Bechkalo, Strategy and Development Director of CEMARK, CRH Group in Ukraine.
As previously reported, almost 17,500 properties out of more than 29,000 damaged during the full-scale invasion have been fully or partially rebuilt in Kyiv region. According to the Kyiv Regional Military Administration, more than 15,800 apartment and private buildings, 202 educational institutions, 115 medical facilities, 78 administrative buildings and ASCs have been restored. However, the state and major international organisations cannot help Ukrainians who have not obtained the full list of housing permits. These victims of Russian aggression have to rebuild their homes on their own.
