Ukraine

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and independence in 1991, Ukraine   has struggled to establish a viable private economy and to provide health and education services to its population. HIV/AIDS rates remain high, as stigma and discrimination presents major hurdles for all HIV/AIDS programs that focus on prevention, treatment and care. Myths regarding HIV transmission, lack of testing and treatment, irresponsible media reporting on the epidemic, and social fears have contributed to its spread in the country.

IRD in Ukraine: IRD began its work in Crimea, Ukraine, in 2002; by 2004, IRD’s distribution of health and education assistance expanded to 183 Crimean institutions – including 76 non governmental institutions, 12 schools, nine boarding houses, four orphanages, 25 departments of labor and social protection, one Detention Center, two Village Councils, one higher educational institution, and 53 medical institutions, reaching more than one hundred thousand formerly displaced and other vulnerable persons.

In September 2004, the USAID mission for Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova awarded $1.2 million to IRD to implement a four-year project intended to reduce stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS in Crimea and Donetsk. IRD programs support interventions to give voice to those affected by HIV/AIDS; promote a supportive environment through strategic and targeted communications; and protect the rights of those affected by HIV/AIDS. IRD has launched a communications campaign, developed an extensive network of peer educators and equipped them with the capacity to generate support and public acceptance for people living with HIV/AIDS.

The IRD Crimea office also has distributed custom designed wheelchairs and walkers donated by U.S. wheelchair manufacturing company “ROC Wheels” through Hope Heaven International to 59 children diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy living in four regions of Crimea: Simferopol, Bakhchisaray, Dzhankoy and   Belogorsk regions. IRD/Crimea worked in close cooperation with the Crimean authorities and Ministry of Labor and Social Protection to identify, select, and organize all the children with CP diagnosis who were in great need of wheelchairs. Following the successful distribution of the wheelchairs, IRD/Crimea in coordination with Hope Heaven, International held a training session in children rehabilitation.

Programs

Avian Flu Awareness and Prevention

The first instance of avian influenza (AI) in the Ukraine was detected around Sivas... more

Distribution of Medical and Non-Medical Commodities in the Caucasus and Ukraine

    Though there have been notable economic improvements in Armenia, Georgia... more

Reducing HIV/AIDS Stigma in Ukraine

Starting in September 2004, IRD implemented the Reducing Stigma and Discrimination... more

Success Stories

“I Love Life”: Helping to Combat HIV/AIDS-Related Discrimination

“The play ‘I Love Life,” about the stigma of HIV/AIDS and discrimination against it... more

Bringing Life-Saving Medical Supplies to Ukraine

Nina Antonova was born with cerebral palsy and has been in a wheelchair for all of... more

Combating Avian Flu Together

Although avian influenza (AI) has disappeared from the headlines, it remains a very... more

Easing a Family’s Medical Burden

Tatiana Nikolaichuk’s mother, daughter, and small grandson rely on her income, so w... more

Ensuring Access to Safe Drinking Water in Ukraine

Crimea, Ukraine - Ensuring access to clean drinking water is critical for human dev... more

Integrating the Disabled into Ukrainian Society

People with disabilities in Ukraine continue to face lack of access to public space... more

IRD Assists Ukrainian World War II Survivor

Seventy-eight-year-old Valentina Chelpan is alone in the world. She was widowed... more

IRD Commemorates World Aids Day in Ukraine

To commemorate World AIDS day, IRD Ukraine held a series of student-sponsored event... more

IRD Delivers Medical Supplies on the Libya-Tunisia Border

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IRD Delivers Medical Supplies to Crimea

CRIMEA, Ukraine – IRD delivered medical commodities worth more than $190,00... more

IRD Distributes Clothing to Ukrainian Children’s Rehabilitation Center

The All-Ukrainian Children Rehabilitation Sanatorium “Chayka” (Seagull) is... more

IRD Donates More Than 20,000 lbs. of Medical Supplies

Today, it was all hands on deck at IRD. IRD staff spent several days unpacking, s... more

IRD Hosts National Conference to Protect Ukrainians from Avian Influenza

IRD’s Rapid Response to Avian Influenza in Ukraine program sponsored the Second Nat... more

IRD Provides Medical Equipment and Long-Term Care for Mining Accident Victims in Ukraine

“It was one of the worst accidents,” said 28-year old miner Vitaliy Kvetkovskiy, de... more

Providing In-Kind Gifts to Children with Hearing Disabilities

The Chervonopartizanskiy orphanage for children with hearing disabilities, in Lugan... more

Small Business Grants to Build Back Better

The bombing in Zabqine began last August, and the small supply shop owned by Hussei... more

Sports for Everyone: Promoting Tolerance of People Living With HIV/AIDS in Ukraine

Across Ukraine, especially in the Crimea and the Eastern regions away from Kiev, HI... more

Village Health Outpost Gains Access to Clean Water

Uriye Harkchi, a nurse practitioner for 17 years at the Dubki rural health outpost,... more

“Open Space” Forum in Ukraine Discusses New Approaches to Overcoming HIV/AIDS-Related Discrimination

At the end of 2006 , the “Open Space” forum took place in Donetsk as part of the US... more