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People who have been forced to flee their homes in Ukraine due to Russia's invasion can receive assistance as part of the Saving Lives humanitarian project launched by Metinvest Group and DTEK in concert with the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation.

Since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, Zaporizhia has become a shelter for IDPs from southern and eastern parts of Ukraine. People are evacuated daily from the temporary occupied territories where active hostilities continue. Zaporizhia has already hosted 134,520 IDPs. These are people that have been forced to flee their homes, leaving behind jobs and belongings. The biggest help comes from employees of Metinvest companies in Zaporizhia who act as volunteers. They help IDPs to find shelter, receive daily hot meals, food packages, clothes, medical and psychological assistance, as well as find job openings.

The Saving Lives humanitarian project launched by Metinvest Group and DTEK in concert with the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation has initiated a new effort in Zaporizhia in June. IDPs accommodated in Metinvest shelters can receive food packs. The company buys food in Europe or receives it from partners of Saving Lives. In particular, Agritrade Ukraine, the Coordination Centre of the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, provide food packs for IDPs.There are about 90 donors that have joined the humanitarian project, but Metinvest states that this is not the final number and the initiative is gathering pace. The project goal is extremely important: to support Ukrainians whose peaceful life has suddenly fallen apart because of the Russian aggression.

"The Saving Lives humanitarian project was initiated by SCM's Metinvest and DTEK in concert with the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation. As part of this drive, people accommodated in Metinvest shelters can receive quality food packages. Ninety international companies have joined the initiative, and we are very grateful for that. We will continue to support the IDPs. We've been doing this for three months of the war, but we are not going to succumb to tiredness and will continue volunteering, as more and more Ukrainians need our support. First of all, these are low-income people who have lost everything due to the war. It's important that we continue to increase the assistance and engage new partners", stated Zaporizhstal CEO Oleksandr Myronenko.

The Saving Lives project has been a success in Zaporizhia and in other areas where Metinvest Group companies operate. IDPs in all five Metinvest shelters in Zaporizhia have already received food packages that include quality long-life food products: pasta, rice, corn, canned meat, dried crust, instant mashed potato, juice, and tea.

"We distribute food packages in all Metinvest shelters. They are available to all residents of IPD centres opened by the company. Zaporizhia. Joint Action Platform civil society organisation has been happy to join the initiative. We help form and distribute the food packages as we realise that only joint efforts will help support all the people in need, unite the country, and bring our victory over the enemy," stated the project manager of Zaporizhia. Joint Action Platform Hanna Hlavcheva.

Women with small children are the main aid beneficiaries. They have left their home towns and villages and face problems with finding accommodation in Zaporizhia. Thus, they are welcome in Metinvest shelters.

"My daughter and I have left our home village Staropetrivka that was occupied by Russians. At first, we went to Transcarpathia region, but the climate was not good for my daughter, who is with a life-long disability. I consulted the doctors, and their recommendation was for us to come back to Zaporizhia. We've been staying here for a month. We could not find accommodation for two weeks. So I called Metinvest helpline. They offered us temporary accommodation in one of the shelters. Food assistance is also very important, as it feels like we are getting both material and emotional support. I feel really pleased that we are being taken care of and that we are not left out," stated an IDP Nadia Lytvynenko.

Residents of Metinvest shelters say that humanitarian assistance is very important, as they do not always have enough money to buy food. Volunteers help satisfy the basic food needs of people and thus help them adapt to the new place.

"I've come here with my husband and three children from Melitopol. When the Russians entered the city, we faced a tense food shortage. We had food reserves, but soon ran out of food. Our family faced a terrible situation: we had not food and it was impossible to withdraw money from ATMs in Melitopol. At first we went to Zaporizhia to buy food and withdraw money. However, we realised that the situation was stable here and we could get help. So we decided to take children and move to Zaporizhia. We are very grateful to everyone who has helped us with shelter and food. Renting an accommodation is very expensive for us. And food prices have soared. With this assistance, we have time to find a job and can save money on food. This assistance is invaluable to us," stated an IDP Viktoriya Matviychuk.

Food packages are provided on a regular basis as part of the Saving Lives project. The assistance is provided consistently to meet the needs of shelter residents. Over 100 days of warfare between Ukraine and Russia, Metinvest has hosted 6,000 IDPs at its social facilities. They company provided accommodation, psychological, medical and humanitarian assistance, as well as employment support.