We are pleased to announce that the UN recently awarded GER3 $2.2 million for 500 home repairs in the Kherson Oblast! The project will span one year, beginning on May 1st. We are incredibly grateful to have received such generous funding and look forward to beginning its implementation in the coming days.
Phase IV Kickoff: Abaco, Bahamas
GER3 is excited to announce the kickstart of Phase IV of our home rehabilitation project in Abaco, Bahamas. This phase of work will be led by our local team and will include significant rehabilitation and reconstruction of 22 homes. We are honored to work alongside such a great community through the full recovery process following Hurricane Dorian.
Bakhmach School Bomb Shelter Completion
We are pleased to share the transformation of the Bachmach School bomb shelter! This video documents both our initial evaluation of the school basement during summer 2023 and the celebration of the final renovation late last year.
In 2022, the Ukrainian government issued a requirement for in-person learning that all schools must have a functional bomb shelter. GER3 rehabilitated the Bachmach School’s basement into a safe and effective bomb shelter, outfitted with accommodations for classroom learning and students with disabilities. The in-person learning enabled by these bomb shelters not only furthers students’ education, but allows families to return to their communities, parents to return to work, and children to return to their friends.
Thank you for all the support to our operations in Ukraine 2023 and beyond!
Winterization Project Update
The GER3 Ukraine team has repaired and winterized 24 war-damaged homes in the last three weeks! This crucial work keeps people in their homes and out of the dangerously cold winter temperatures. Our strong local team members, like Construction Supervisor Dmytro, make this work possible as we continue to scale up and expand operations in Ukraine.
Ukraine Winterization Project in Zahaltsi
As winter sets in, GER3 continues to scale up our response to meet growing needs in affected communities. Here, the GER3 team meets with residents who will receive lifesaving winterization support in the village of Zahaltsi, NW of Kyiv.
Ukraine Assessment with Field Ready
Last week, GER3 and its partner Field Ready conducted assessments in affected communities outside Kyiv to better understand current needs, challenges and gaps in the response effort. The team met with community members, volunteers and village council representatives. They also met with OCHA representatives and local NGOs District 1 and For My Ukraine, during which humanitarian response challenges were discussed and ideas were shared. GER3 remains focused on supporting winterization efforts in north central Ukraine and looks forward to growing its partnership with Field Ready in Ukraine.
Island Innovation Award Finalist
In April, GER3 was a finalist for the Innovative Island Research Award. The Island Innovation Awards, run in partnership with the Clinton Foundation, recognize individuals, organizations and projects driving positive change for remote and island communities globally. GER3 was recognized for its ash up-cycling work in St. Vincent: incorporating ash into organic compost and piloting the use of ash in concrete blocks. Learn more about the organic composting project here.
InterAction Forum
GER3 is connecting with the NGO community in-person at InterAction's Forum this week. We are grateful to participate in this powerful platform where we can engage with NGOs, foundations, governments, global industries, the U.N., and national civil society organizations. It’s a great opportunity for our sector to forge common solutions to pressing global challenges.
Ukraine Debris Removal
GER3 is supporting debris removal this week. At the request of the city, GER3 delivered PPE and tools to equip a crew of 110 local volunteers organized by the City Council of Kharkiv. Equipment includes construction glasses, construction bags, gloves, helmets, respirators, shovels, chisels, crowbars, and sledgehammers. The supplies will enable Kharkiv’s local volunteers to undertake essential debris removal in the coming weeks.
Ukraine Response
The GER3 team is operational in Ukraine in Lviv and Kyiv. The team began its assessment mission in early June, meeting with local and international partners and assessing where GER3 can best support those affected by the conflict. GER3 is currently focused on bringing early recovery efforts to communities outside of Kyiv.
