UNOPS Regional Director visits Mykolaiv: inspects projects to restore homes, hospitals and schools

Tim Lardner, UNOPS Regional Director for Europe and East Asia. Screenshot from a UNOPS video on Facebook

Tim Lardner, UNOPS Regional Director for Europe and East Asia, visited Mykolaiv, where he familiarised himself with the recovery projects that the international organisation is implementing with funding from the Danish government.

This was reported by the United Nations Office for Project Services.

During his visit, Tim Lardner visited sites being restored with the support of UNOPS, the Danish Embassy in Ukraine and Novo Nordisk. These include the repair of residential buildings, the development of medical infrastructure and the construction of shelters in educational establishments.

«All these efforts are aimed at helping communities restore a sense of stability and security, laying the foundations for sustainable development,» UNOPS noted.

Tim Lardner, UNOPS Regional Director for Europe and East Asia. Screenshot from a UNOPS video on Facebook

One of the locations Tim Lardner visited was a mural created in the centre of Mykolaiv as part of a project funded by Denmark. According to him, this work symbolises the approach that international partners are trying to implement during the reconstruction of Ukrainian cities.

«I am now standing in front of a mural that was created with our support. The story behind this mural reflects the reality of our work in general. As part of a project funded by Denmark, it was painted by a pair of local artists, and the idea for the design was suggested by the residents themselves. The sunflowers depicted behind me symbolise how people and nature find a way forward despite difficulties and destruction. They symbolise hope, dignity and the aspiration for a better future. In fact, our work in Mykolaiv and across Ukraine has precisely this meaning,» said Tim Lardner.

As a reminder, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has conducted over 70 tenders for the procurement of goods and services for the Mykolaiv region. Their total value is $35 million.

It is worth noting that UNOPS has been operating in the Mykolaiv region since late 2022, supporting the restoration of critical infrastructure, housing and social facilities in cooperation with the Danish government. The projects focus on the rapid restoration of services, the reconstruction of schools, the restoration of historical monuments and the procurement of specialised equipment to support community life. In particular, UNOPS is involved in the restoration of the damaged Mykola Arkas Gymnasium building and has completed the restoration of affected residential areas.