Innovative "Workshop on Wheels"- initiative supports Ukrainians with house repairs

In a new pilot project, UNHCR and its NGO partner “Angels of Salvation” deploy mobile teams of skilled construction workers to help war-affected communities repair their homes.

Author Alina Kovalenko, UNHCR | 7 Mar 2024

Photo Angels of Salvation/Oleksii Hutnyk

Kharkiv – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, jointly with its NGO partner “Angels of Salvation”, have launched a new project, “Workshop on Wheels”, to support war-affected communities with technical advice and assistance to help people repair homes damaged in missile, drone or other attacks.

Five mobile teams of skilled construction workers, equipped with essential tools such as screwdrivers, angle grinders, circular saws etc have since January 2024 been deployed in war-affected areas in the Kharkiv region. Here, they help families who have received building materials to repair their war-damaged homes, but who lack the necessary tools or skills to complete the repairs.

Photo Angels of Salvation/Oleksii Hutnyk

Currently, the mobile teams are providing guidance to people wanting to repair their homes themselves, while also helping vulnerable individuals with dismantling damaged windows and replacing them with new and energy-efficient ones provided by UNHCR. Later, when weather conditions permit, the mobile teams will also help install new roofs and repair facades.

To date, the mobile teams of “Angels of Salvation” have installed over 300 windows and three entrance doors, helping around 100 families. In 2024, the project aims to support a total of 1,500 families in the Kharkiv region with loan of tools, technical expertise and assistance with repairs.

“The “Workshop on