Comprehensive Protection and Support for Vulnerable Populations in Sumy and Kharkiv Regions

Donor: Humanitarian Fund for Ukraine

This project aims to provide comprehensive protection and support to vulnerable populations (adults and children), including internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, residents of frontline areas, and children with visual and hearing impairments in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions.

The initiative strengthens local humanitarian capacity through structured case management, mobile protection teams, institutional support, prevention of gender-based violence (GBV), cash assistance, mental health support for children, and improved access to integrated healthcare services.

The project ensures inclusive, sustainable, and community-centered protection services.

Key Areas of Activity:

• Case management and social support for marginalized individuals and vulnerable children.
• Institutional support and capacity building for NGOs and local actors involved in evacuation efforts to strengthen humanitarian response and protection mechanisms.
• Mobile teams providing psychosocial support and social assistance to vulnerable groups, including IDPs, returnees, and residents of frontline communities.
• Mental health screening and support for the most vulnerable children.
• Implementation of assistive technologies for children with visual and hearing impairments.
• Provision of cash assistance to meet the basic needs of the most vulnerable individuals.
• Prevention of gender-based violence (GBV) and protection of survivors.
• Awareness-raising activities on GBV prevention, protection from sexual exploitation, and promotion of positive parenting.

Implementing Partners:

• NGO “Ukrainian Smile” – implements components related to psychosocial support for children, early detection of hearing and vision impairments, rehabilitation services, and technical support (including individualized programs).
• NGO “Agency for Sustainable Urban Development” – implements GBV prevention activities, conducts trainings, supports women and girls, and engages communities.

The project delivers inclusive, sustainable, and needs-sensitive protection services focused on frontline communities and the most vulnerable populations.

Main Activities Include:

• Individual case management and social support for vulnerable groups, including marginalized populations and children.
• Psychosocial support through mobile teams in hard-to-reach communities.
• Mental health screening and individualized support for the most vulnerable children.
• Provision of assistive technologies (rehabilitation and communication tools) for children with visual and hearing impairments.
• Multi-purpose cash assistance (MPCA) to cover basic needs of the most vulnerable households.
• GBV prevention and comprehensive support for survivors.
• Humanitarian distribution of specialized kits for GBV-affected individuals.
• Information sessions on GBV prevention, protection from sexual exploitation, and support for responsible parenting.