On 9 December this year, the Lviv Agrarian Chamber, as an implementing partner of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), conducted a monitoring mission to institutions in the Sheptytskyi district.
The aim of the mission was to assess the quality of food and the effectiveness of the Institutional Food Programme in institutions caring for the most vulnerable sections of the population.
The monitoring team comprised Ihor Vuytsyk, Head of the Lviv Agrarian Chamber, and Davyd Kravchenko, Protection and Monitoring Officer. As part of the mission, four institutions in the Sheptytskyi district were inspected: the ‘Sosnivska City Hospital of the Sheptytskyi City Council’ – a facility providing medical care to the population, including socially vulnerable groups.
Charitable Organisation “Caritas Sosnivka” – a charity that cares for people facing difficult life situations
Lviv Regional Council Public Non-Profit Enterprise ‘Lviv Regional Rehabilitation Hospital No. 3’ – a specialist facility providing rehabilitation treatment for long-stay patients, including internally displaced persons.
Lviv Regional Public Institution “Velykomostivsky Geriatric Care Home” – a residence for 120 elderly people who require constant care and a balanced, improved diet.
As a result of monitoring each facility, we were able to assess:
· The level of catering organisation, food provision, menu variety, compliance with sanitary and hygiene standards for food storage – which, thanks to the Institutional Catering Programme, are provided to those in need throughout the year – and the availability of information posters for feedback.
· The programme’s impact on improving beneficiaries’ living conditions: nutrition has become more balanced, and access to fresh produce has significantly improved.
· Challenges faced by institutions, in particular the need for additional funding and modernisation of equipment.
· Particular attention was paid to the Velykomostivskyi Geriatric Care Home, which houses elderly people who are entirely dependent on institutional care. The Institutional Food Programme has been a key factor in improving their diet.
It should be noted that all the institutions visited use the food received for its intended purpose, storage conditions comply with established standards, and no violations were found.
Following the results of the monitoring mission, recommendations were made regarding compliance with food storage requirements and effective resource management, as well as the conduct of thematic training for staff at the institutions, particularly on issues relating to the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence.
Ihor Vuytsyk, Head of the Lviv Agrarian Chamber, had the opportunity to meet with Andrii Dyachenko, Head of the Sheptytskyi District Military Administration, who expressed his gratitude for the substantial assistance provided to nine institutions where 1,515 people are currently housed and fed, and emphasised the importance of continuing this programme to ensure vulnerable groups receive high-quality food.
The mission once again confirmed that support for institutional catering is crucial for creating decent living conditions for those who need it most. And through the Lviv Agrarian Chamber’s journal ‘Visnyk AgroForum’, all local communities in the Lviv region will certainly learn about the effectiveness of the Institutional Catering Programme. And they will be able to join it next year.
Source: Lviv Agrarian Chamber.