Supporting community initiatives to improve access of the key populations (KPs) negatively affected by the HIV epidemic to essential health services and humanitarian assistance in the war and post-war recovery situations

Donor: Gilead

Coordinating partner: Aids Fund

Project implementation dates: December 01, 2022 – November 30, 2025

Total budget: €1,313,000

Project objective: providing access of the key population groups (KPs) negatively affected by the HIV epidemic to necessary health services and humanitarian assistance

Geography of project activities: all regions of Ukraine except temporarily occupied territories

Project target groups : HIV-vulnerable population groups and people living with HIV

Main project activities:

providing mini-grants up to $5,000
providing grants up to $20,000

Results:

109 mini-grants were provided to the initiative groups which successfully covered various needs of the population such as satisfying basic needs for food, medication, hygiene products, access to treatment, psychological counseling, employment counseling etc.
42,214 beneficiaries were reached with services and 32% of them were people living with HIV.
61 unique NGOs and initiative groups became sub-grantees of the Alliance, which have proven themselves as reliable partners, demonstrated their leadership qualities in their quick response to the urgent needs of the key communities’ representatives. Among them were representatives of IDUs, sex workers, LGBTI, OST patients, prisoners, former prisoners and PLWH communities.

Services targeted by mini-projects:

Preparation for the winter period: purchase of heaters, power banks , flashlights, USB lamps, thermoses, warm blankets, generators etc.;
Satisfying basic needs: providing warm clothing, food and hygiene certificates, infant formula for children of women living with HIV, medication and medical diagnostics etc.;
Payment for medical services: medication as well as medical diagnostics;
Provision of repairs and equipment for shelters, community offices, invincibility centers and repairs of healthcare facilities etc.;
Mental health support: psychological services, online/ offline consultations.

And also:

In 2024, 14 medium-sized grants were supported to fund a variety of initiatives aimed at strengthening community resilience and improving access to basic services. These grants were allocated to the projects focused on humanitarian assistance, psychosocial services and infrastructure improvements, including:

Humanitarian assistance . Emergency relief supplies, including food, hygiene products and medical supplies were provided to support vulnerable populations. This assistance targeted people living with HIV (PLWH) and other key populations ensuring that their immediate needs were met. Shelters were equipped with essential items and additional funding enabled provision of specialized items such as thermal belts and certificates for purchasing of essential goods.
Psychosocial services. Counseling and mental health support groups were provided to address the psychological impact of the war. 4,003 consultations were provided to the key populations.
Infrastructure improvements. The grants supported renovation and modernization of local clinics, community centers and educational institutions. Key achievements included:
Installation of a new equipment and renovation of the healthcare facilities’ premises.
Improving shelters to ensure safe and comfortable living conditions for displaced families.
Development of public spaces for education, counseling and social support.

These initiatives have provided important resources and opportunities contributing to the communities’ well-being, strengthening local capacity and promoting sustainable development in regions severely affected by the ongoing war.

Contact: Maryna Varban , project manager , Varban@aph.org.ua