The project ensures access to HIV and SHRR services for adolescents who use drugs, their sexual partners and close environment in Ukraine during the war by supporting the local services and developing capacity of local community-based organizations in 5 regions of the country.
Context
Ukraine is facing a deep humanitarian crisis since the full-scale invasion by russia in February 2022, strongly impacting the public health system. The situation is especially acute for key populations, – people who use drugs, sex workers, LGBTI –, as their access to HIV prevention, treatment and care services has deteriorated. Adolescents who use drugs (AUDs) often have limited access to services, especially in remote areas. They are now even more vulnerable as their access to professional counseling and sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHRs) services is getting more complicated, and even non-existing in some regions. The drug scene is changing in the war period with lower quality drugs circulating, causing more health threats, risky behaviours and putting young people in greater psychological danger. Due to migration of population, including AUDs, to safer places, there is a greater need of psychological, social and medical consultations, online individual and group support, to ensure continuity of HIV and SRHR prevention services.
Description
The project operates in 5 regions of Ukraine with 5 project partners which are local community-based organizations (CBOs) from Chernivtsi, Kharkiv, Kropyvnytskyi, Kyiv and Sloviansk. The project supports these CBOs in maintaining their work with AUDs and their sexual partners to address HIV and SRHR risks, and in ensuring their access to HIV prevention services, psychological counseling and social support during the war. In addition to direct services for youth at risk and their sexual partners, the projects provide humanitarian aid, equip service location with generators and heating equipment. The project helps empowering young leaders being able to integrate new clients and to advocate for their rights and access to services and treatment.
Impact
AUDs, their sexual partners and family members (internally displaced and those who are staying near the war zone) are covered with HIV and SRHR prevention services and psychological consultations. CBOs do not stop services for AUDs during the war, in close cooperation with local administrations and partnership networks, and are getting support for this work.
