The progress of the implementation of the Decree of the President of Ukraine dated December 2, 2002 No. 1112 "On Additional Measures to Strengthen Social Protection of Persons with Disabilities and the Conduct of the Year of Persons with Disabilities in Ukraine in 2003" was discussed at a staff meeting at the Volyn Regional State Administration. At the meeting it was noted that 64,377 persons with a disability group live in the region, of whom Group I - 10,245 persons, Group II - 30,578 persons, Group III - 19,840. There are 3,714 children with disabilities. In the region, priority attention is given to the issue of social protection of war veterans, labor veterans and persons with disabilities. Over the 12 months of 2003, 137 apartments of war invalids and 198 combat participants were provided with telephones in the region. According to the plan for the distribution of automobiles by region, 52 "Tavria" automobiles were allocated to persons with disabilities of the Volyn region at the expense of the state budget. 54 automobiles were issued to war invalids in order of priority. Last year, the supply of mobility and rehabilitation equipment at the expense of the state budget was carried out at 95%. Sanatorium-resort treatment was received by 686 war veterans, 181 labor veterans, 316 persons with disabilities due to general illness, and 30 persons who accompanied persons with Group I disabilities. A total of 1,213 persons received health treatment. Close cooperation with the Volyn Regional Branch of the Fund for Social Protection of Persons with Disabilities continues. During 2003, the regional branch of the fund financed compensation payments to persons with disabilities in the amount of UAH 629,800 from budget funds. On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 255 persons with spinal disabilities were paid UAH 50 each, and 1,084 persons in wheelchairs - UAH 30 each. By the day of the introduction of troops into Afghanistan, 15 persons with Group I disabilities and 69 families of soldiers killed in Afghanistan were paid UAH 200 each. In addition, during 2003, one-time financial assistance was provided to low-income citizens of the region to strengthen the social protection of these categories. The territorial employment program for 2003 reserved places for the employment of 4,750 citizens of socially unprotected categories. In 2003, 114 persons with disabilities from Lutsk, Volodymyr-Volynskyi, Kovel, Novovolynsk and from Lyubeshiv and Manevychi and Manevychi districts applied to the regional employment service. With referrals from employment centers, 81 persons with disabilities were able to be placed in jobs.