A Call to Help People with Disabilities in Ukraine
Whoever starts an unprovoked war is a person who does not care about others, especially those with disabilities. We are now seeing this in Ukraine. According to Inclusion Europe, there are around 261,000 people with disabilities in Ukraine, with at least 100,000 of them, mostly children, living in care homes and institutions. These people are among the most vulnerable to the war.
In a CNN.com article by Ivana Kottasova and Yulia Kesaieva entitled “Escaping the horror in Ukraine is not an option for many disabled children and their families,” the authors talk about how most of these children are too fragile to travel. If their caregivers try to move them to a safer location, they will simply not make it. But if they stay, they risk the fallout from the bombings that are destroying medical centers and businesses with services they need.
One way the U.S. government, international NGOs and NATO can help them is by sending medical supplies to help stock hospital trains. These trains that can carry the most vulnerable to safety need hospital beds, ventilators, and physical therapy units, as well as basics like bandages and medicine. Down the road, all children – and particularly those with disabilities – who are able to flee their homes or their country will also need psychological support. The humanitarian efforts underway must include help both now and in the years ahead for the disabled in Ukraine.
Here Are Some Ways You Can Help...
The Ukrainian Red Cross - Donate to the Ukrainian Red Cross.
World Central Kitchen - Donate to World Central Kitchen.
GlobalGiving Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund - Donate directly.
Vostok SOS - Donate directly to Vostok SOS via bank transfer.
Voices of Children - Donate to Voices of Children.
