Deputy Prime Minister – Minister for Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories Iryna Vereshchuk suggests representatives of international organizations to become members of the Coordination Centers for Support of the Civilian Population at regional military administrations (OBA).
“We should focus on working with organizations that help people with disabilities,” Vereshchuk is quoted by the press service of the department following the forum “Inclusion and participation: people with disabilities at the center of humanitarian response policy during the war”.
In this regard, Deputy Prime Minister urged international organizations to actively assist vulnerable categories of people next year.
In addition, Vereshchuk suggested that representatives of international organizations should be included in the Civilian Support Coordination Centers set up at regional military administrations across Ukraine so that they could directly participate in decision-making on the ground.
The forum “Inclusion and Participation: People with Disabilities at the Centre of Humanitarian Response Policies in Times of War” was organized by the National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine with the support of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) as part of an international technical assistance project aimed at increasing accessibility of political and public life, as well as full inclusion of all citizens in the democratic process. Any views expressed during the event are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of IFES.
The National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine has more than a hundred organizations representing the interests of people with various disabilities. Since the first days of the war, organizations have been providing humanitarian aid to people with disabilities and the elderly from different regions of Ukraine: food, hygiene products, assistive technologies, medicines, and non-food essentials. The organizations have created shelters (5 regions), spaces for children (various locations in 18 regions), and provide counseling and psychological support. The NAIU works with civilians and military personnel who have acquired disabilities as a result of the war, advocates for the protection of the rights of people with disabilities in various areas, and more.
Valeriy Sushkevych is the Chairman of the National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine.
