How to Support Those Nearby: A Humanitarian Discussion at the Kharkiv Forum
The event “Kharkiv Region: The Power of Law in the Fight for Freedom” was held with the support of the project “Human Rights for Ukraine, Phase II,” implemented by UNDP in Ukraine and funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. Olena Khvatynets, the regional coordinator of projects for the NGO “Responsible Citizens” in the Kharkiv region, participated in the forum.
“Social and psychological support for the population is not a one-time aid but a consistent presence alongside those in need. In collaboration with UNICEF, we are developing Child-Friendly Spaces where ongoing work is conducted with children, adolescents, and adults. The expertise of our Space specialists is continuously analyzed and integrated into future programs. To enhance our proficiency in child protection, we regularly exchange experiences with colleagues—this is a crucial component of providing high-quality social services to people who particularly need them, especially those facing the consequences of war,” said Olena Khvatynets.
During the forum, participants discussed ways to strengthen social protection, support internally displaced persons (IDPs), and implement comprehensive support programs in the region. Representatives of government authorities, humanitarian organizations, and the human rights community agreed that the right to a dignified life must remain a priority even in the most challenging times. Achieving this mission requires the combined efforts of civil society organizations, communities, and government bodies.
The NGO “Responsible Citizens” will continue its work in the communities of the Kharkiv region to ensure that every child, family, or IDP has access to assistance, attention, and respect for their rights.
Background Information: In the Kharkiv region, the NGO “Responsible Citizens” operates in 13 communities. In 2024, 23,554 children and adults sought support at our Child-Friendly Spaces. Social workers, psychologists, and other specialized professionals regularly visit remote communities in the region. Last year, mobile teams in the Kharkiv region worked with 3,608 families raising 7,957 children.
Більше новин
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“I was born during a war and lived to see another one”Nina Pavlovna lives in a settlement in the Pokrovsk district of Donetsk region, a few kilometers from the front line. She lives alone, without family. Her only support is a former student who told her about a multi-purpose cash assistance program implemented by the NGO "Responsible Citizens" with support from Mercy Corps and funding from the UK government.
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Launching new project Lives 3.0Our team has launched a new project, LIVES 3.0, which will cover four regions in Eastern Ukraine. The project is implemented under the same-name program in partners...
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Help on the frontlines: what has been done to support those most affectedThe NGO Responsible Citizens, together with our partners organized the implementation of a project to provide financial assistance to those most affected by the war.
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NGO Responsible Citizens conducted an evacuation survey in Donetsk regionNGO Responsible Citizens surveyed 1,004 people in Donetsk region to better understand the scale of displacement and current humanitarian needs. Such studies help to plan actions that address the challenges families face every day.
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Space of opportunities: how UNICEF and partners are saving children’s futures“Mom, when are we going to the Space again?” — Sashko eagerly awaits each visit because it was there that he truly started speaking for the first time.
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Where risks increase — we strengthen our presenceIn eastern Ukraine, especially in frontline areas of Donetsk region, shelling is intensifying and civilian infrastructure is being heavily damaged. Under these conditions, mobile teams from the NGO Responsible Citizens are working directly in affected communities, offering comprehensive support to those who need it most.
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“No longer disabled”: how flexible assistance changed a child’s lifeAt a critical moment, a family from Donetsk region made a difficult but necessary decision — to evacuate. This coincided with the opportunity to join the program “Local, inclusive and multi-sectoral emergency assistance for war-affected populations in Ukraine,” implemented by NGO Responsible Citizens in partnership with Mercy Corps and with funding from the UK Government.
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Over 300 kg of support for children and familiesThe aid was delivered to communities in the Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Sumy regions, where our specialists work daily with children and parents affected by the consequences of the war.