45-year-old Svitlana, who lost her sight due to complications following meningitis she suffered in childhood. She lives with her mother in an apartment on the second floor — a factor that already creates barriers to mobility and access to social services. Despite these challenges, Svitlana strives to remain active: she listens to audiobooks, follows national news, and maintains social connections through regular communication with friends.
This year, Svitlana received financial assistance from the National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine (NAPD) within the framework of the international project “Disability-Inclusive Multisectoral Humanitarian Assistance for Internally Displaced Persons, Returnees, Veterans, and Host Communities in Ukraine.” The project is implemented in partnership with the European Disability Forum (EDF) and supported by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany (GFFO) and CBM (Christian Blind Mission).
The assistance enabled Svitlana to purchase essential medicines and household items. In this case, targeted support functions not merely as a temporary financial measure but as a tool for strengthening the social autonomy of a person with a disability.
Svitlana’s example demonstrates the effectiveness of a personalized approach in humanitarian projects. Unlike standard aid packages, financial targeted assistance takes into account the individual needs of each recipient, thereby increasing its socio-economic impact and efficiency.
At the same time, Svitlana’s story highlights broader systemic challenges. Architectural inaccessibility of housing, the lack of adapted public spaces, and limited access to information remain key barriers for people with visual impairments. This underscores the need for integrated solutions, where targeted financial assistance is combined with the development of accessible infrastructure, social support, and inclusive services at the community level.
Targeted assistance is not only about supporting an individual — it is also a component of a long-term strategy for enhancing community inclusivity. Its effectiveness increases when it is paired with the development of social partnerships and an approach grounded in human rights principles.
Oleksandra Perkova, Communications Manager of the Project
