How we support displaced individuals in Kharkiv oblast
Since the onset of the conflict in 2022, many families in Kharkiv Oblast have been forced to leave their homes. For them, life has become a series of challenges and uncertainties. Thanks to a project by the UNICEF Representation in Ukraine, implemented by the NGO “Responsible Citizens,” mobile psychosocial support teams are tirelessly working to provide assistance to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in areas of concentrated displacement.
“As of today, there are seven mobile teams operating in the region, offering comprehensive support to families with children,” says Olena Khvatynets, Regional Coordinator for Kharkiv Oblast. “This spring, we decided to focus our efforts not only on the communities within the region but also on supporting IDPs within Kharkiv itself. Our team conducted thorough monitoring to identify the most urgent needs of families and then swiftly deployed specialists to five centers.”
Every week, mobile teams embark on missions, providing consultations on document recovery, repair of damaged housing, and other social issues. A key component of their work includes organizing parenting groups, where sessions are held to enhance parenting skills, minimize the negative effects of stress, and adapt to new environments. Art therapy, reflection and reintegration activities, as well as individual consultations with psychologists and case managers, complement this work.
The results are already tangible. Oksana, who relocated from Vovchansk, shares her experience: “These activities have helped me understand that I am not alone in my distress. I was able to partially recover and realize the importance of improving my psychological state, as it directly impacts my child and her well-being.”
According to Olena Khvatynets, the most pressing request today remains psychological support and socialization activities. “We see positive changes in people’s lives and the results of group sessions with parenting coaches. This gives us hope and confidence that we are moving in the right direction, providing the necessary assistance to those who need it most.”
The mobile psychosocial support teams continue their vital mission, supporting those affected by the conflict and helping them find pathways to recovery and new opportunities.
Більше новин
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Strengthening child protection: supporting families and preventing institutionalizationRegional coordinator Oksana Ivatina completed training under the "Advocacy for the Right of the Child to Family Environment and Better Care" program, organized by Save the Children.
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NGO “Responsible Citizens” became the winner in the nomination “Light of Knowledge: Charity in the Name of the Future” at the forum “Donetsk Region 2025: A Look into the Future.”The forum became an important platform for strengthening dialogue between the state, local authorities, and the civic sector.
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Warmth for the Family: The Story of a Rybalske Household That Received Cash Assistance to Prepare for WinterThe winter cash assistance program is implemented by Responsible Citizens NGO in partnership with JERU (a joint initiative of the international organizations Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide) with funding from the German Federal Foreign Office (AA).
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Training on Child Needs Assessment and Team-Based Response Held in ZaporizhzhiaThe training was conducted within the framework of the UNICEF Ukraine project “Strengthening Community Capacity to Deliver Essential Protection and Resilience Services in Kharkiv, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia Regions,” implemented by the NGO “Responsible Citizens” with the support of the Government of the United States of America.
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Crucial support: stories of people who received assistance during the warAs part of the multipurpose cash assistance project, the NGO “Responsible Citizens,” together with partners, has helped hundreds of people affected by t...
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Application Phase for the Mini-Grants Program in Kharkiv Region Has EndedWe have completed the application phase for the mini-grants program for local initiatives in Kharkiv Region, implemented by the NGO “Responsible Citizens” in partnership with JERU and with financial support from the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund.
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Kryvyi Rih NGO team trained in psychological first aidSpecial attention during the training was given to specialists’ self-regulation: how to cope with emotional exhaustion and avoid burnout when working daily with others’ pain. This experience is another step toward ensuring that assistance in communities is not just an act of goodwill but high-quality, professional support, even in the most challenging conditions.