Directory of psychological and legal aid providers assisting survivors of the Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine

Human Rights Vector invites you to familiarize yourself with the publication «Psychological and Legal Aid Online during the First Year of the Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, Part II: Directory of psychological and legal aid providers assisting survivors of the Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine,” V. Rybak, O. Bondarenko — hrvector.org/en/publications/23-04-03-p2 
 
Human Rights Vector conducted a survey of initiatives that have been providing psychological and legal assistance to war victims during the Russian war against Ukraine. This publication presents the results of this survey and an overview of these initiatives. 
 
The survey was conducted between the 17th of January 2023 and the 5th of February 2023, with the main aims being: A) to gather information on the experiences of providing this kind of assistance within the war-time conditions; and B) to get an overview of the needs of these providers and the challenges they face. 
 
The publication will be useful for many people, including individuals seeking aid for themselves, their loved ones, representatives of online help lines, Ukrainian and foreign non-governmental organizations, state authorities, local governance bodies, donor agencies, attorneys, lawyers, mediators, psychologists, psychotherapists, medical professionals, social workers, and researchers, and any other interested parties. 
 
The Human Rights Vector team prepared the publication based on the findings of this survey. “Psychological and Legal Aid Online during the First Year of the Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation” consists of two parts:
 
  1. “An overview of the needs and challenges faced by psychological and legal aid providers”, in English here: hrvector.org/en/reports/23-03-20-p1, and in Ukrainian here: hrvector.org/zviti/23-03-15-1
  2. “Directory of psychological and legal aid providers assisting survivors of the Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine”, in English here: hrvector.org/en/publications/23-04-03-p2, and in Ukrainian here: hrvector.org/publikacziyi/23-03-15-2
 
These publications will help to:
  • inform people about the services available through different initiatives;
  • make finding a helpline or other initiative easier for people who need help;
  • connect initiatives in Ukraine and internationally for potential cooperation;
  • share information about experiences in Ukraine and internationally;
  • keep a summary record of experiences of providing assistance in this period; 
  • identify shared challenges and solutions for providers; and 
  • develop further research.
 
The first part of this publication is presented in the form of a report, with the research results laid out in detail.
 
In the second part, the directory of providers, 31 initiatives and helplines are profiled in detail. 
 
We invite our readers to make use of both parts of the publication, and distribute wherever possible. 
 
»I had the idea of creating a guide during the development of the line of psychological and legal assistance of the NGO «Vector of Human Rights». Preserving the experiences of those who provide aid in such difficult conditions, and who are constantly exposed to the traumatic effects of war, is incredibly important. This guide will assist people today to find help, cooperate with others, and extend aid to others, and I also believe it will contribute to the development of new and improved approaches to assisting victims of war and crises in Ukraine and abroad.
 
I express my sincere gratitude to the team at Human Rights Vector, the psychologists, lawyers, operators and everyone who took part in the survey and shared their experience, helped with the announcement, worked on this publication, everyone who, with joint efforts, helps to survive these terrible events and brings closer Ukraine’s victory. Together we are stronger!" — Valeriia Rybak, director of the NGO “Human Rights Vector” and author of the publication.
 
“It’s difficult to imagine how many people in Ukraine need psychological support and legal assistance after months of military aggression and war crimes committed by Russia. This, on top of the loss of loved ones, forced relocation and many other challenges. No single initiative can help everyone or even raise awareness about their existence alone. Therefore, it was crucial to identify different types of assistance and highlight those that provide support for vulnerable individuals. I was very moved when I read about what these initiatives have done. According to each initiative profile, it's evident that the people involved are fully committed to helping others to the best of their ability. I hope this guide will prove helpful to its readers — from helping one person find a psychologist or lawyer, to developing initiatives described within and influencing state policy and assistance programs.” — Olena Bondarenko, advocacy coordinator of the «Social Action» Center and co-author of the publication. 
 
For reference: the publication was created by the NGO Human Rights Vector as part of the project “Psychological and Legal Assistance for Responding to and Mitigating the Consequences of the War in Ukraine”. The project is supported by the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, funded by the European Union as part of support for civil society in the region. Within the scope of the regrant scheme, the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum supports its members' projects that align with the Forum’s mission and goals. Grants are available for civil society organizations from Eastern Partnership and EU countries. The key areas of support are democracy and human rights, economic integration, environment and energy, connections between people, and social and labor policy.  
 
Read the publication «Psychological and Legal Aid Online during the First Year of the Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, Part II: Directory of psychological and legal aid providers assisting survivors of the Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine,” V. Rybak, O. Bondarenko, here: hrvector.org/en/publications/23-04-03-p2 

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