The Invasion of Ukraine

Since the start of the invasion of Ukraine millions of people have fled the country or have been internally displaced. Persons with disabilities, including children, are particularly at risk; in large part due to the increased difficulties in getting to safety; both shelters but also safer areas – within and outside of Ukraine. 10,000s of persons with disabilities also live in very large residential institutions, very often without family support and – in current situation – without adequate professional support.

The Ukrainian authorities are working with persons with disabilities in Ukraine to organise and facilitate the evacuation of those who wish to leave. The Ukrainian government has requested EASPD to support it in its efforts.

In response, EASPD is opening Temporary Regional Offices (TROs) to better coordinate the relocation process for persons with disabilities from Ukraine, particularly those in institutions, to other countries. Relocating is extremely complex and requires appropriate resources due to the significant number of refugees involved, the requirements of people with disabilities (accessibility, specific support needs, medicine, etc) and their families in such processes, the lack of pre-existing expertise on these issues, and challenges around coordination between Civil Society Organisations and public authorities from across Europe.

The main functions of a TROs will be as follows:

• Liaising with and coordinating between local organisations in the region who are providing support to refugees with disabilities.
• Ensuring that humanitarian aid reaches persons with disabilities who are in Ukraine; displaced persons with disabilities within Ukraine; refugees with disabilities and their caregivers and families.
• Coordinating logistical support and material donations towards their regions and Ukraine.
• Coordinating with disability services who are able to provide housing and support elsewhere in Europe and matching them with refugees with disabilities who are currently located in their region.
• Communicating with the European office of EASPD for common efforts in support persons with disabilities and organisations on spot.
• Gathering information for local needs and getting info from EASPD on correct matches from members and partners of EASPD.
• Remaining in communication with other TRO’s to be able to coordinate activities as and when is appropriate.

The TROs will operate in the following locations:

• Ukraine 
• Hungary
• Moldova
• The Netherlands 
• Bulgaria
• Slovakia

The above location locations have been selected due to their proximity to Ukraine and for being key hubs of transport between Ukraine and Europe.

To support the above initiative and the relocation process for persons with disabilities from Ukraine, please donate via the below details. The money donated will be used solely dedicated for this cause and EASPD will provide periodic reports on how the money has been used.

Organisation: European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities

Contact Person: Rachel Vaughan, Head of Operations

EASPD Address: Handelsstraat / Rue du Commerce 72, B- 1040 Brussels - Belgium.

Bank details:

Account Number: BE88 0689 4490 7541

Correspondent Bank:  Belfius BANK, Pachecolaan 44 – BE 1000 Brussels

BIC: GKCC BEBB

Payment reference: Support for action on Ukraine

Or donate via paypal here.

1. Join a peaceful demonstration in your city

Exercise your right to be heard and show your support for the people of Ukraine and the ending of the war by joining a peaceful protest.

Find a peaceful protest near you at www.standwithukraine.live.

2. Have an active position online for peace and respect of human rights

In the current climate it is important to continue to actively promote peace and the respect for human rights. Raising awareness for the needs of people with disabilities and the role of their informal caregivers and support services is crucial in conflict, as they are often forgotten.

3. Volunteer

In many cities and towns in Europe, community initiatives and large scale coordinated volunteer campaigns are being run by local or international organisations such as the Red Cross, Caritas or the Scouts.

Many of these initiatives need help with key activities such as sorting humanitarian aid or online coordination. It may seem minor, but you can make a difference and your help really matters.

4. Support a Ukrainian social organisation

There are many internally displaced people in Ukraine currently – having fled their home but remaining in the country. You can provide support to Ukrainian social organisations who are working on the ground in cooperation with humanitarian help to provide support and services across the country.  EASPD are glad to recommend our partner the National Assembly of Persons with Disabilities Ukraine. 

The National Assembly of Persons with Disabilities of Ukraine are actively supporting persons with disabilities and their families in Ukraine and have the capacity to act locally through their members. We therefore recommend sending financial resources to this organisation via the details below:

Organisation: National Assembly of Persons with Disabilities Ukraine
Contact Person: Valery Sushkevych, President
Bank: Joint Stock Company The State Export-Import Bank of Ukraine (JSC Ukreximbank)
Account Number: UA 83 322313 0000026001000039141
Correspondent Bank:  Deutsche Bank AG, Frankfurt am Main, Germany  
SWIFT:  DEUT DE FF   EUR
Payment details: non-repayable financial assistance

5. Support a social organisation welcoming refugees

Thousands of people fleeing the war in Ukraine are seeking refuge in border countries including Slovakia, Poland, Moldova, Hungary Romania and Bulgaria. Crossing the border may mean a safer place, but not safety. The organisations working directly with refugees are working under enormous pressure and your support will be meaningful and is needed now.

Find out more about the organisations that you can support here.

1. Assess how you can help according to your organisations capacity and be vocal

Access your capacity as an organisation within your local volunteer network and with your partners on national and international level. Tell us at EASPD and we can connect you with other professionals who have similar capacity or/and ideas. Is it direct work with people? Is it advocacy Can you support refugees, or can you support people working on the ground? Having a clear position in these difficult times – even on your NGO’s FB and website is important.

2. Write to your regional and national authorities, ask them what they are doing regarding the crisis in Ukraine and offer your support

When contacting your local authorities, it is important to underline the needs of people with disabilities as well as the role of their informal caregivers and support services is in conflict. Sometimes very technical process can make a difference (for example, organising a legal mechanism for people who have rare diseases to have access to free medical care immediately after they arrive). In times of crisis authorities benefit from civil society’s feedback as sometimes these organisations have more flexible ways of acquiring information. This is a very valuable feature of what you bring to the table as an NGO. Don’t underestimate it.

3. Work on your capacity to support people in crisis

To have experience in supporting people fleeing war requires a very particular set of skills. Support services can be beneficial networks for promoting the integration of refugees. Tools such as the those created in the AMID project can help your organisation to acquire these skills. Find out more on this webpage.

4. Reach out to your MPs and MEPs and encourage them to raise awareness on the topic

Ask your representatives which funds are available for supporting social organisations working directly on the ground and for persons with disabilities who are still in Ukraine. Asking your political representatives on behalf of your organisation shows not only your commitment, but also underlines the importance of the issue on a political level.

5. Organise a community action for support of Ukraine

Engage your volunteer community and supporters, get in touch with international organizations or other local partners and coordinate actions that have very short-term and tangible results. Clear and transparent communication on where the gathered donations will go is a must here.