In many small villages, humanitarian aid appears rarely — or does not reach people at all. Due to remoteness, lack of resources and complex logistics, rural communities often remain “blind spots” for many support programs.
That is why the project “Multi-sectoral Humanitarian Assistance with a Disability Lens for Internally Displaced Persons, Returnees, Veterans and Host Communities in Ukraine”, implemented by the National Assembly of Persons with Disabilities of Ukraine in partnership with the European Disability Forum (EDF) and supported by the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) and CBM (Christian Blind Mission), works directly with the most remote settlements to provide support to people who have the least access to services because of where they live.
Within the project, 59 persons with disabilities in the Kamianska community of the Chernivtsi region received cash assistance. Most recipients have disabilities of groups 1–2 and will use the funds for what they need right now: medicines, firewood for the winter, food, warm clothing or shoes, and medical supplies.
For example, Illia, who was wounded during the war and partially lost his sight, was able to purchase special glasses that significantly improve his daily life — and he was truly happy that this became possible.
Such stories clearly demonstrate the difference between generalized humanitarian aid and targeted support. Standard sets of products or goods rarely take individual needs into account, especially when it comes to persons with disabilities. Targeted assistance, on the other hand, allows each person to decide what matters most to them: treatment, care supplies, winter preparation, or other expenses that cannot be standardized.
This is not only about finances. It is about dignity, autonomy, and the right of each person to make decisions about their own needs — especially in communities where access to services is significantly limited.
Within the project, assistance is provided to persons with disabilities, internally displaced people, veterans, returnees, and residents of host communities. Thanks to this approach, support becomes an instrument of equal opportunities and real quality-of-life improvement for everyone who needs it.
Oleksandra Perkova, Communications Manager of the Project
