|
“I lived three bus stops away from the Mariupol theatre which was bombed. We were also very close to the maternity hospital [that was also hit]; I saw the shell crater near the hospital. For weeks, we hid in the basement of a school with dozens of others,” said Vladyslav.
Vladyslav led his mother from the shelter and began an uncertain journey along difficult evacuation routes, eventually reaching Sumy. Later, he heard that the school where he sheltered suffered a direct hit.
Vladyslav now receives support from IOM’s Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) programme to help him meet every day needs as he settles into life in Sumy. “Many displaced people have already found housing, but not yet a job, and our savings are running out,” said Vladyslav who hopes to return to Mariupol one day.
Read more
|
|
|
|
|
Providing Mental Health Services for Rural Communities
IOM continued its psychosocial programming for internally displaced people (IDPs), members of host communities and the families of veterans.
In Kyiv Region, IOM has been conducting art and sports activities for children and organizing events to celebrate Mother's Day. In the last two weeks, IOM has visited over 428 children in war-affected villages, including Andriivka, Zabuiannia, Lypivka, Nebelytsia, Fasova and Motyzhyn, among others. IOM also conducted a psycho-education session for educators in these villages, reaching around 80 teachers and school staff.
In Dnipro, IOM initiated the "Garden of Recovery" series, which focuses on promoting community resilience and self-support through participation in sessions with psychologists, and visits to parks and green spaces. Throughout the past two weeks, IOM has supported 1,327 individuals, bringing the total number of people reached by community-based support activities since February 2022 to 18,308. These ongoing initiatives play a crucial role in supporting communities in need across Ukraine, while fostering collaboration with local and national organizations.
|
|
Rehabilitation of Health-Care Facilities
Due to severe attacks on health infrastructure and the disruption of health-care services, the reconstruction of health-care institutions has become an integral part of the country's recovery and reconstruction plan. The immediate priorities are to restore essential health services, address urgent medical needs, safeguard public health for people in need, and provide training and capacity development for professionals.
During the past two weeks, IOM has successfully completed the rehabilitation of three health facilities in Kherson Region and finished assessments of two mental health facilities in Kherson, and Kharkiv Region. Rehabilitation activities include the installation of metal frames and dry walls, replacing broken windows with high-quality materials, and repairing roofs using advanced techniques. IOM is currently assessing more than ten health facilities in newly accessible areas of Kherson Region for support. IOM has also donated medical supplies such as medicines, medical equipment and inter-agency emergency health kits. These supplies have been distributed to nine healthcare facilities and government institutions in Kharkiv, Poltava and Sumy Regions.
|
|
|
Supporting Transition of Humanitarian Cash Transfers to Improved Social Protection System Capacity
More than a year into the escalation of the war in Ukraine, stakeholders are investing in support for longer term solutions, including further integrating cash transfer programmes with government social protection platforms. Throughout 2023, it will be crucial for humanitarian cash transfers to respond to the changing needs of Ukrainians and support them accordingly. In recent weeks, IOM has engaged with the Ministry of Social Policy (MoSP) to support these efforts through the Perekhid (Transition) Initiative. This initiative aims to facilitate the transition and partial absorption of humanitarian caseloads into a shock-responsive social protection (SRSP) system. IOM has contributed expertise to the Perekhid Initiative through specialist support to lead the initiative and assist various data management systems within the Ministry. IOM's involvement in the Steering Committee supports alignment between humanitarian cash transfers and SRSP in Ukraine at policy and technical levels.
|
|
Seeking to Mitigate Trafficking Risks
IOM's implementing partner Child Well-Being Fund NGO has finalized methodological guidance for elementary school teachers on preventing child trafficking. The guidance, titled "Personal Dignity. Safety of Life. Civic Position”, has been developed to meet the Government's needs and education standards. It provides interactive scenarios and exercises that encourage self-reflection, personal safety assessments and identification of risks. Additionally, Child Well-Being Fund NGO is working on developing additional materials and videos for online school lessons. In parallel, IOM is preparing a new nation-wide counter-trafficking information campaign. This campaign will include two short videos, an interactive installation and other outreach tools. The campaign will promote safe migration and employment, as well as raise awareness about the National Counter-Trafficking and Migrant Advice Hotline ‘527’.
|
|
Conducting Rapid Needs Assessments in Collective Centres Across Ukraine
During May, IOM published a new multi-sectoral rapid needs assessment of collective centres across Mykolaivska oblast, implemented in collaboration with the local authorities. The assessment covered 14 sites hosting a total of 1,915 people. Most sites reported that individuals arrived from Mykolaivska and Khersonska oblasts and that most people (86%) had no plans to relocate further for the time being. The most urgent needs reported were site repairs, followed by repairs for sanitation facilities in bathrooms, and washing machines. Since February 2022, IOM has assessed 1,205 collective centres across 14 regions. The assessment findings facilitate coordination with local authorities and partners and shape IOM’s overall integrated multi-sectoral response to collective centres. Please find the summary at the IOM website. Please read more about IOM's Camp Coordination and Camp Management programming here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
