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IDPs accommodated in Zaporizhia shelters have received sweet gifts. The assistance has been provided as part of the Saving Lives project launched by Metinvest and DTEK in concert with the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation.

Sweet gifts have lifted the spirits of both children and adults. That’s very important as there are not so many reasons for joy during the war. These people were forced to leave their homes and this assistance and attention help cheer them up. IDPs have received food packages as part of the Saving Lives initiative launched by Metinvest and DTEK in concert with the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation. This time they received condensed milk.

“Since recently we have been helping IDPs from Metinvest shelters as well as people from regional and local administrative centres. Overall, assistance is provided to 2,800 people from 22 shelters. People need to feel that they are needed and that they will keep receiving the assistance,” stated Project Manager of Joint Action Platform civil society organisation Hanna HLAVCHEVA.

Shelter supervisors say that many IDPs see food as some luxury product.

“In the first days we gave biscuits to IDPs. And one woman held it in a way not to drop a single crumb. When you see something like this you understand that for people it’s more than just food. We are very grateful to our partners and donors as they help us do good and useful deeds,” stated a supervisor of one of Zaporizhia shelters Kateryna CHERNOVA.

Sweets are a wonderful anti-street therapy for people of all ages.

“We help people from different regions of Ukraine. Their number is changing as people come and go all the time. Today we have received condensed milk. I often ask to bring sweets and candies. I am very grateful that they bring sweets both for children and their family members. Grandparents also like sweet gifts. We are very grateful for Saving Lives and the assistance provided as part of the initiative. It’s not food that lifts the spirit of people, but the attention they receive,” stated the Principal of Zaporizhia Sich College Valentyna YERSHOVA.

As a reminder, since the war outbreak Metinvest and DTEK have launched the Saving Lives humanitarian project in concert with the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation. The initiative has been supported by about 90 companies and partners. The project runs several directions. It provides food packages to IDPs who have found accommodation in Metinvest’s shelters. One more area is to support families of Metinvest employees who have joined the army as well as Metinvest welfare recipients. They receive free food packages and sanitary items.