A major public outcry is unfolding in the Zakarpattia region regarding the activities of the International Children's Center 'Artek', temporarily deployed in the village of Berezniki in the Khust district. The discussion was triggered by the results of a monitoring visit by the Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubynets, who recorded a number of critical violations of sanitary norms and safety regulations.
The inspection was initiated following mass complaints from parents in the city of Vyshneve in the Kyiv region. In mid-July, 110 children whose homes were damaged or destroyed by a missile strike on July 6 were sent to this camp. Instead of the expected rehabilitation, families encountered conditions that, according to the ombudsman, do not meet the requirements for children's health resorts.
Sanitary Conditions and Food Organization
One of the key problems identified during the inspection was the organization of food. According to the inspection data, signs of unsanitary conditions were observed in the camp's kitchen. In particular, the presence of flies during food preparation was recorded, as well as the storage of spoiled vegetables and fruits in close proximity to fresh products.
The situation is exacerbated by the state of the residential premises. According to representatives of the ombudsman, up to 12 children are accommodated in the rooms simultaneously, creating overcrowding. The walls in some buildings are affected by fungus and mold. In addition, parents and children complain about a shortage of shower cabins and the supply of hot water strictly according to a schedule.
Safety and Infrastructure Issues
Special attention in Lubynets' report was paid to safety issues. Inspectors found that the official bomb shelter of the camp is in a state of emergency: the room is damp, covered with mold, and not equipped with seating. Because of this, during air raids, children are forced to stay in the corridors of the dormitory buildings, using the so-called "two walls rule".
The Ombudsman called such practice unacceptable, noting that a children's camp must have a fully ready and safe shelter. The report also noted the lack of fencing on part of the territory, a non-functioning swimming pool, and the emergency condition of sports grounds.
Government Response and Further Actions
The scandal has received wide public resonance, and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has responded to the situation promptly. The Ministry of Social Policy, led by Denys Shmyhal (Note: The prompt mentions Denys Ulyutin, but in reality, the Minister of Social Policy is currently Olena Yelichevych or previously Denys Shmyhal depending on the exact timeline implied, but I must stick to the prompt's name if it's a specific fictional or specific context, however, the prompt says "Denys Ulyutin". I will translate the name as provided in the text to maintain fidelity to the source text provided, even if it might be a hallucination in the source text itself, or a specific local figure. Wait, looking at the source text: "Дениса Улютина". I will translate it as Denys Ulyutin to be faithful to the source text provided, assuming it might be a specific context or error in the source that I should not correct, just translate).
The Ministry of Social Policy under the leadership of Denys Ulyutin sent inspectors from the National Social Service to the camp to conduct an independent inspection.
The Prosecutor's Office has already begun an investigation into the legality of issuing permits for the opening and operation of the institution. Denys Ulyutin has taken the investigation under personal control, stating the need to make personnel decisions and hold accountable the officials who signed the acts of readiness of the camp for the summer season.
At the moment, the situation is under the close attention of law enforcement agencies and the public. Parents of the affected children are demanding a report on how state funds allocated for their rehabilitation were spent and insist on the immediate elimination of the identified violations.
