Relief for parents raising children with disabilities in Ukraine
Cash assistance from UNICEF is helping Oleksandr and Venera to build a better future for son Makar, who has Down’s syndrome
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Oleksandr and Venera rent a small room in a hostel in Kharkiv's suburbs. Amid a devastating war in Ukraine, their priority has always been their two-year-old son Makar, who has Down’s syndrome. But, after losing their jobs due to the violence, hope has been in short supply.
Now a cash assistance programme from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) means they can once again work towards building a better future for him.
When the war broke out, the family had little choice but to hide in a basement. As the shells exploded, Oleksandr and Venera tried hard to stay calm, so that Makar would not be scared.
Then, Oleksandr lost his job as a constructor. Overnight, the family's financial situation deteriorated, with little money for even basic necessities for their child.
"I saw a publication about UNICEF's financial assistance on social media and applied,” says Venera. “In three weeks, about 20,000 UAH was transferred to my account.”
The money that the family received from UNICEF was spent on diapers and food for Makar. They also bought crucial medicines, vitamins and educational toys. Some of the money was spent on rent, utilities and the internet so that Makar could watch his favorite cartoons.
"The money from UNICEF helped us to survive a few months," adds Venera.
In six months, Makar will turn three and start a course of developmental classes with specialists.
On 31 March, UNICEF launched a joint humanitarian cash assistance programme with the Ministry of Social Policy. The programme aims to help meet the needs of families with children in Ukraine, who are most affected by the war. As of December 2022, 200,000 families in Ukraine have received cash transfers totalling US$ 191 million. This is over 560,000 children, including 50,000 children with disabilities.
The сash assistance programme would not be possible without funding provided by the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), the European Union, the Governments of Bulgaria, Germany Federal Foreign Office, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and generous contributors to UNICEF’s flexible humanitarian resources.
