On 28 November 2024, representatives of the Lviv Agrarian Chamber carried out a monitoring visit to a social care facility providing meals to people in need, run by the NGO ‘My Independent Country’, which is a participant in the UN World Food Programme’s Institutional Feeding Programme.

Thanks to their efforts, nearly 400 people in need receive hot meals every day. These include people with disabilities, elderly people living alone, people with substance abuse issues, and internally displaced persons.

The organisation’s chairman, Vitalii Suisita, who moved to Lviv from the temporarily occupied territory, said he has been caring for those in need for two years. The organisation’s volunteers distribute hot meals at three locations and feed up to 350 people daily. In addition, the organisation runs two rehabilitation centres where people with drug and alcohol addictions recover, live permanently and are fed.

Mr Vitaliy also noted that the food supplies provided under the Institutional Catering Programme are not always sufficient to prepare meals for a whole month, and requested that the number of food parcels be increased to 350.

Representatives of the LAP visited the social care facility just as lunch was being served, so they had the opportunity to see what dishes were being prepared, speak directly with the people receiving assistance, and inspect the kitchen and food storage areas.

LAP Chairman Ihor Vuytsyk told those present about the UN WFP Institutional Food Programme, explained which specific food items the Lviv Agrarian Chamber supplies for their meals, enquired about the quality of the prepared food, and answered questions from those present.

Monitoring and Protection Officer Davyd Kravchenko held an information session with the beneficiaries as part of the international campaign ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence’. Davyd Kravchenko informed those present about the most widespread human rights violations worldwide, and the opportunities and ways to protect oneself from any actions causing physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering. People were provided with information on how to contact organisations that can assist those suffering from gender-based violence.

“A simple phone number can save your health and even your life. There is no need to be afraid; you need to talk about your problems, because in today’s society there are already organisations actively working to assist victims of gender-based violence. You just need to know how to contact them. And the aim of today’s event is to convey this information to a wide audience. Incidentally, the hotline numbers for the UN World Food Programme and the Lviv Agrarian Chamber, which can be contacted for help in cases of gender-based violence, are listed on information posters located right here in this building, and all visitors have the opportunity to see this information every day and use it if necessary. “That is precisely why we encourage the sharing of these important contact details, as they may prove essential to someone,” emphasised Davyd Kravchenko.

#16DaysAgainstViolence #WFPAgainstViolence #StopViolenceNow

Source: Lviv Agrarian Chamber