Since the beginning of the Ukraine Crisis, INARA’s Rapid Response Program was immediately activated as we stepped in to fill the gaps after an extensive needs assessment carried out on the ground in Ukraine. With our team’s extensive knowledge in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, our first step was launching a program to provide consultations and trainings specific to mental health professionals, social workers, and others who are directly working with these vulnerable children.
Today, INARA’s Rapid Response to the Ukraine crisis- one of the largest displacement crises in the world- is focused on humanitarian needs that arise, particularly among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) focusing on children and the youth in line with INARA’s mandate. Since February 24, 2022, around 7 million people have been internally displaced within Ukraine and around 7,3 individual refugees from Ukraine have been recorded across Europe. According to UNOCHA’s Situation Report on September 21, 2.8 million children need Child Protection interventions in Ukraine.
While the crisis unfolds and needs on the ground evolve and change, INARA continues to perform extensive assessments to identify gaps related to Child Protection, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support within and outside Ukraine, as well as in neighboring countries hosting a large number of Ukrainian Refugees. Pursuing the ’Localisation Agenda’ INARA is engaged in the mapping of local actors to establish equitable partnerships for the implementation of joint program activities, reach mutual objectives and support the enhancement and sustainability of local capacities and leadership.
INARA is currently in the process of negotiating potential partnerships with up to 3 Ukrainian CSOs operating in the field of Child Protection and having the longstanding experience of working with children and youth affected and traumatized by conflicts and war. INARA aims to bring its unique expertise on life-altering mental health care to conflict impacted children as well as obtain funding to support the local active organizations to fill in the existing gaps and provide vital and urgent assistance to people in need.