“The League of the Strong” Public Association has launched a large-scale humanitarian project entitled ‘Comprehensive services to protect civilians affected by hostilities and improve the resilience skills of first responders’. The aim of the new project is to address the urgent and interrelated humanitarian needs of people with disabilities and their families in five regions of the country. This was announced by Bohdan Kokhan, head of “The League of the Strong” project office.
“We are launching this project at a time when supporting people affected by the war remains one of the key challenges for the country. It is not simply about providing aid. It is about restoring people’s ability to live with dignity, to be active and independent. We see that, following forced relocation, many people with disabilities face difficulties in accessing services, treatment or rehabilitation resources. That is why it is extremely important today to create support mechanisms that will help meet these needs quickly and comprehensively,” said Bohdan Kokhan, head of “The League of the Strong” project office.
As part of the project, over a thousand people will be able to receive various forms of support — ranging from funding for medical treatment to the provision of assistive devices and psychological counselling. Support will be available to adults and children with disabilities, families of people with disabilities, and internally displaced persons with disabilities from the Kharkiv, Poltava, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv and Odesa regions.
As part of the project, 515 people will receive assistive devices to aid mobility, communication and independent daily living.
Medical support will be one of the key areas of focus. In particular, 500 people will be able to receive financial assistance for treatment. The funds can be used for medication, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, diagnostics, small medical equipment, dental services and other medical needs, depending on the individual’s specific situation.
In addition, 200 families will be provided with portable power stations to improve their resilience during prolonged power cuts. Those affected by the winter energy crisis are eligible for this support, particularly those including people with disabilities who are in critical need of energy assistance.
A separate strand of the project is dedicated to mental health support. Up to 75 people will be able to receive up to five individual sessions with a psychologist, whilst a further 70 participants will join group-based psychological support sessions. Thematic support groups will focus on issues of adaptation following displacement, recovery from trauma, and raising children with disabilities.
In addition, the project provides other forms of assistance. In particular, five families will receive support to cover their rent for four months. Applications are welcome from both those who are already renting accommodation and those who are only planning to move. Priority is given to those who are moving or have already moved from the frontline zone or dangerous areas.
The procedure is as follows: who will receive assistance will be determined during an assessment of the community’s needs. Decisions regarding assistance will be made in collaboration with local social welfare and health departments, communities and partner organisations. If you are eligible for any form of this assistance, please ensure that the authorities are aware of your needs.
Registration form: https://ee-eu.kobotoolbox.org/x/xR85Ptlf
Local project coordinators will be working in each region: you can contact them if necessary. We will also provide contact details for the Odesa region shortly.
Kharkiv region: +380677991199
Poltava region: +380930238431
Kirovohrad region: +380668320996
Mykolaiv region: +380509061664
This project is implemented with the generous support of the Government of the United States of America. The content is the responsibility of “The League of the Strong” and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Government of the United States of America.