Training in Kyiv: How to ensure inclusive humanitarian response

On July 23, 2025, a one-day training session entitled "Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Response and Recovery Programs" was held in Kyiv. The event was organized by the National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine as part of the project "Together We Are Strong: Capacity Building for People with Disabilities" in partnership with the humanitarian organization People in Need (@PeopleinNeedUkraine) and with financial support from the Czech people.

The aim of the training was to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations and activists in the field of inclusive humanitarian response, particularly during wartime.

Representatives of eight public initiatives from different regions of Ukraine participated in the event:

• "100% Life. Dnipro", which provides medical and social support to people living with HIV;
• Memori 86 from Zaporizhia, which has been caring for people with disabilities and the elderly for over 20 years;
• "Floks" from Mykolaiv region, which provides humanitarian aid to local residents and internally displaced persons;
• The Ukrainian Fishing Club, which uses sport fishing to provide rehabilitation activities for veterans;
• "Angels of Salvation", which provide large-scale humanitarian aid in combat zones;
• Chernivtsi Association "ZAKHIST", which specializes in inclusion, human rights, and psychosocial support;
• Pluriton NGO, which evacuates people from hot spots and provides humanitarian aid to victims in combat zones;
• "Peaceful Sky of Kharkiv" is a charitable foundation that works in frontline territories to provide food and medicine.

Throughout the day, participants learned about:

• modern approaches to disability and the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;
• overcoming stereotypes and barriers in humanitarian aid;
• principles of universal design;
• developing response plans that take into account the needs of persons with disabilities.

The training was conducted in the format of interactive sessions, group work, and practical exercises. Participants had the opportunity not only to gain new knowledge but also to exchange experiences.

"Conducting such training is extremely important because it helps lay the foundation for systemic changes in approaches to humanitarian response. People with disabilities should not only be beneficiaries of assistance, but also active participants in decision-making processes," emphasized Yuriy Vasylchenko, head of the "Together – Strong" project.

The day ended with joint planning of further actions in their communities, focusing on equality, inclusion, and practical application of knowledge.