Vitalii Bezghin: we must preserve the human, institutional and economic potential of Luhansk region

Vitalii Bezghin, Minister for Communities, Territories and Internally Displaced Persons, took part in the forum “Ukrainian Luhansk Region: Creating the Future Now”.

“Today it is especially important to preserve the region's human, institutional and economic potential, even when a significant part of its territory is temporarily occupied,” said Vitalii Bezghin.

Several key points from today's conversation with residents of Luhansk region, business representatives and regional and community leaders.

We must develop a unified state model for working with temporarily occupied territories based on the relevant decisions of the National Security and Defence Council.

IDP policy must finally become systematic: these are our fellow citizens! Frankly, housing needs are growing daily, as is the number of people forced to leave their homes because of Russian aggression. Therefore, the search for resources is a continuous process at all levels of government.

Another important principle: decisions about IDPs cannot be made without IDPs themselves. IDP councils and other relevant organisations must be full participants in shaping the new policy.

De-occupation will return the territory. But the return of life depends on how we preserve and prepare people, communities and the foundation for development today.