The first meeting of the Working Group on Public Safety, Social Cohesion, and Recovery of the Kherson Community was held in Kherson. The event was attended by representatives of the Kherson City Military Administration and its structural units, the National Police, the State Emergency Service, the Educational and Methodological Center for Civil Protection and Life Safety, public organizations, charitable foundations, and international partners.
Opening the meeting, the head of the Kherson City Military Administration, Yaroslav Shanko, stressed the importance of systemic interaction: “The result and normal life in the community depend on our coordination, mutual understanding, and the correctly chosen vector. We must do our utmost to ensure that Kherson residents feel safer and supported even in such conditions.”
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Humanitarian situation and community needs
One of the key topics was the presentation of the current humanitarian situation in the community. According to official data, about 75 thousand people currently live in the Kherson Community, of which more than 47 thousand are people of retirement age, almost 5.5 thousand are children, and about 9.5 thousand are internally displaced persons. In January 2026, 99 residents were injured, and 18 people died as a result of shelling.
The participants were presented with information on emergency preparedness and the winter period: the community, together with partners, has already transferred thousands of heaters, electric blankets, ensured the operation of inviolability points and temporary residences, and also provides emergency financial assistance to affected families.
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New cooperation: memorandum of the Kherson City Military Administration with the NGO "Ukrainian Unity Bridge"
An essential event of the meeting was the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the NGO "Ukrainian Unity Bridge" and the Kherson City Military Administration. The organization is implementing a project to evacuate residents from dangerous areas using armored transport. It is planned that the city administration hotline will become the single point of entry for coordinating such departures.
Risk analysis: a study by the “Union” Foundation
A separate block of the meeting was dedicated to presenting the results of a risk study in the Kherson community. The analysis was conducted by the Kherson Regional Charitable Foundation “Union” within the framework of the Impulse Project implemented by the International Renaissance Foundation and the East Europe Foundation (EEF) with funding from Norway (Norad) and Sweden (Sida).
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The study found that residents are most concerned about constant shelling, the risk of re-occupation, economic uncertainty, depopulation, and lack of opportunities for youth. The study identified 50 key risks. The working group participants will assess all risks, and the data obtained will serve as the basis for developing information products and practical initiatives to increase the community's safety and resilience. Similar work has already been carried out in the Chornobaivska community.
Yurii Antoshchuk, Head of the Union Foundation, emphasized the practical focus of the work: “We focused on identifying risks among the local population. By working with them, we can show that both the authorities, the public sector, and security services respond to problems. This is the basis for further new projects and solutions at the community level.”
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UNDP: new opportunities for the community
The meeting was also attended by representatives of the United Nations Development Program. They reported that in 2026, the Kherson community will be included in the program's target areas. The working group is considered a platform for dialogue and an “entry point” for future projects in local governance, social services, veterans’ integration, and economic recovery.
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Despite daily challenges, a dialogue platform for cooperation between the authorities, the public sector, and security service providers is being formed in Kherson. The working group can become one of the tools for coordination and resource mobilization for community security and recovery.
