“No longer disabled”: how flexible assistance changed a child’s life
“War, danger, and the confusion of not knowing what to do. It’s terrifying. You can’t leave anyone behind — and you can’t stay either. One child — one suitcase. Ten children — ten suitcases,” recalls foster father Hennadii.
At 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.
The financial assistance they received was more than just support — it was a real solution in a moment of crisis. It allowed the family to quickly relocate to a safer place, cover their basic needs and — most importantly — pay for a surgery that helped their child regain hearing.
“This means Maksym is no longer considered disabled. And above all, you realize you’re not alone — you’re supported. And that means the world,” says foster mother Liudmyla.
In projects like this, families choose for themselves what matters most right now. That is the core of effective humanitarian assistance: flexibility, trust, humanity, and dignity.
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