Air raid shelter in Dnipro renovated by local authorities with aid from EU and UNDP

October 22, 2023.

    DNIPRO, Ukraine, 17 October 2023 – An air raid shelter with a capacity of over 100 people has been renovated in the city of Dnipro, Ukraine, with the help of the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine.
    
    The local authorities carried out the work on the shelter, which is located at 168, Robocha Street, Dnipro. The overhaul of the shelter, which has an area of 150 square meters and a capacity of 103 people, was carried out with a total budget of US$105,000.
    
    Major work to improve the comfort and safety conditions for residents and internally displaced persons was carried out under the project, which was the result of cooperation between the European Union, Dnipro City Council, and the UNDP.
    
    The shelter’s electrical wiring, heating system, water supply and sewage systems were replaced. A modern ventilation system was installed to ensure optimal air circulation. New interior doors and a modern fire protection system were also installed.
    
    Furniture and specialized equipment were purchased for the comfortable and safe use of the shelter.
    
    A ramp was also installed to facilitate access to the building and shelter for people with disabilities, and a special children's corner has been set up for younger visitors, where they can play safely while using the shelter.
    
    Speaking at the opening ceremony of the shelter on 17 October, Boris Filatov, the Mayor of Dnipro praised the cooperation between the local authorities and their international partners.
    
    “Thanks to our joint work with the EU and UNDP, Dnipro resident now have access to a safe and comfortable shelter during air raids,” he said.
    “The restoration of this facility ensures more of our people can come through these trying times in safety and dignity.”
    
    Stefan Schleuning, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to the safety and well-being of the Ukrainian people. “This initiative complements the work of our flagship EU4Recovery project on strengthening the resilience of war-affected communities. The renovated and fully functional bomb shelter, made possible through our partnership with UNDP and Dnipro authorities, is a critical security element for the local community”, he added.
    
    Christophoros Politis, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Ukraine, said it was important that the renovated shelter was accessible to all: “This project shows that even in wartime, it’s possible to ensure that Ukraine can not only build back, but build back better, and fairer,” he noted. “This is the underlying principle of our support to Ukraine.”
    
    Press contacts
    
    Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org