At a care home in western Ukraine, 220 elderly people found themselves living in deteriorating conditions amid an ongoing conflict. The facilities at their care home were out of date, and the kitchen’s equipment was often broken or easily damaged. Their care home, in the Ivano-Frankivsk region, is unique as it houses elderly with no other family to care for them, many of whom were displaced by the conflict.
Those running the home didn’t have the means to make the necessary upgrades, and so IOCC stepped in. With the help of funding from partner UMCOR, IOCC was able to gather multiple appliances for the care home, including an industrial refrigerator, a common refrigerator, an industrial potato peeler, submersible blender, and mixer.
“There were instances when appliances broke down, and it often took several days before repairs could be made,” said Ms. Galina, Director of the care home. “We no longer experience disruptions in food preparation, and the new appliances are more efficient, which has reduced our energy consumption and lowered our utility costs.” Thanks to IOCC, the residents are now able to enjoy a fully-functioning kitchen without any interruptions to daily food service.
