President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a decree on the establishment of the Coordinating Office for Humanitarian and Social Issues, which will provide assistance to citizens who find themselves in a difficult life situation due to the armed aggression of the Russian Federation.

"Due to the military invasion of Russia, an extremely difficult humanitarian situation has developed in some Ukrainian cities and villages. Many have lost their homes or were left without access to water, food, medicine, and basic necessities. To effectively provide assistance to affected citizens, the head of state created the Coordinating Office for Humanitarian and Social Issues, which promptly coordinates volunteer initiatives, international humanitarian organizations and funding from a specially created National Bank account for donations for humanitarian needs.

The Office will work in three directions: humanitarian assistance from foreign governments and international organizations, assistance from big business to military administrations and communities, as well as assistance from authorities to military administrations and communities.

Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak has been appointed Head of the Office.

In addition to him, office members included the Deputy Head of the Office of the President for Social Policy and Health, the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, one representative each from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Policy.

The activities of the Coordinating Office will be covered by Daria Zarivna, Advisor to the Head of the President's Office for Communications.

According to the decree, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine shall ensure prompt interaction between representatives of the regional military administrations and the Coordination Office. Also, the government should establish effective cooperation with diplomatic missions and consular offices of foreign states, international organizations, foreign donors to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.

The National Bank of Ukraine was recommended to open a special account to raise funds to provide humanitarian assistance to persons who find themselves in difficult life circumstances in connection with the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

The decree comes into force from the day of its publication.