The number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) zone and Crimea in Ukraine has amounted to nearly 417,000 people, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Utilities Volodymyr Hroisman has said.
“As of today, according to the official data, we have almost 417,000 people taking into account Crimea,” he said in an interview with the newspaper Dzerkalo Tyzhnia (Mirror Weekly) that was published on Saturday, Oct. 18.
Hroisman recalled that the government had already passed the decree on the compensation of funds spent on house rent by refugees – Hr 884 per person.
The deputy premier also recalled that according to the government’s estimation, at least Hr 11 billion is needed to restore the destroyed infrastructure of Donbas and provide for the primary needs of refugees.
“Hr 11 billion is a preliminary number, which includes the restoration of damaged infrastructure, reintegration of eastern regions and changing the quality of life of local population. In this regard, we closely cooperate with the EU, OSCE mission and World Bank,” he said.
In addition, Hroisman said that at the moment Ukrainian authorities couldn’t ensure funding of the areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions controlled by militants.
“Right now we physically can’t fund these territories occupied by terrorists. Only after the legitimate elections are held and hostilities cease. And this is logical. Although, it’s hard on the citizens in the east,” he added.
