More children from the frontline regions will rest in “Artek” at the expense of the state budget: Ministry of Social Policy

In the conditions of active hostilities in the east of Ukraine, special attention is paid to providing opportunities for health and recreation of children from the frontline regions. The state is taking steps to ensure that children living in conflict zones receive the necessary support and can temporarily distract themselves from the realities of war. One of such initiatives is the government’s decision to provide vouchers to the “Artek” Children’s Center for this category of children, ensuring their rest at state expense.

The Ministry of Social Policy has proposed new changes in the mechanism for distributing vouchers for the health and recreation of children who have received government support. About this it is said on the official website. According to these changes, children from regions where active hostilities are ongoing will receive a priority right to tickets to the “Artek” Children’s Center at the expense of the state budget. Previously, vouchers were distributed according to need, but not more than half of the total number per shift.

Now, after vouchers have been allocated for children from conflict areas, any remaining vouchers will be distributed among other regions of Ukraine in proportion to their need. This will ensure a fairer and more accurate distribution of state aid, taking into account special circumstances.

In addition, the list of categories of children from front-line regions who will be able to use vouchers to “Artek” has been expanded. Now, children who need special social attention and support will have this right, in accordance with Article 1 of the Law of Ukraine “On Children’s Health and Recreation”. It is important to note that these changes are designed to ensure access to recreation for those who need it most in times of war.

Also, the Humanitarian and Information Policy Committee confirmed that the vouchers, which are financed from the state budget, will be given to residents of regions where active hostilities are taking place. If there are remaining vouchers after distribution to these regions, they will be distributed to other regions according to need, which will allow reaching a larger number of children in need of support.

These measures are an important step in ensuring social support and rehabilitation of children who have found themselves in difficult living conditions due to the war.