People in these remote areas are often extra vulnerable, Nicolò adds. ‘The people who live here are often either earliest pens or very young. And it’s particularly difficult regarding elderly people, young children or people with a disability to expels, collect aid packages or even get to heated shelters. ’ So the team in Kharkiv is also offering assistance away from city. ‘Above all, we have to take care of the most vulnerable people. It may be just a drop within the ocean in such a big country with so many people in need, but we can’t keep anyone behind. ’
All the work done simply by Nicol ò and Kristina is definitely rooted in their strong ties with the local community, organisations and volunteers. ‘We don’t need our protection services to fall apart as soon as we leave the region, ’ says Nicol ò . ‘So we’re partnering with local communities and training volunteers to ensure that this work may continue without us. ’ Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, is located less than 35 kilometres from the Russian border. The area was occupied simply by Russian forces for many several weeks and sustained heavy damage. With the support of the Dutch embassy in Kyiv, worldwide aid organisation Nonviolent Peaceforce is working in this area to protect civilians and help workers. Kristina Preiksaityte plus Nicolò Braggio spoke to us about their work.
Bullet-proof vests and head gear
What’s more, many services which were previously available in Ukraine shall no longer be being offered. Local volunteers told Nicolò about a shelter intended for victims of domestic violence, for example. ‘Before the war, people could go to the refuge for help, but now it’s being used as a temporary wedding reception centre for displaced people from elsewhere in Ukraine. ’ As well as supporting nearby organisations, Nonviolent Peaceforce furthermore provides direct assistance to the particular Ukrainian people. ‘We go to communities and let people know where specific forms of aid are available and how they can access it, especially in remote locations, ’ Kristina explains. ‘Right now, most emergency aid is being provided in the big cities, but there’s simply no public transport and petrol is scarce. As a result, folks who don’t live in the towns often have no access to the aid that’s available. ’
Vulnerable groups
Nonviolent Peaceforce is certainly therefore working to set up mobile teams made up of two psychologists, a security officer and a motorist. Nicolò is currently researching where these teams can be of most help in the region. ‘It’s important that people are listened to, that they know where they can get help, and that they can be referred exactly where necessary to specialised services. ’ Kristina and Nicol ò have got both been impressed by the individuals of Ukraine. ‘It really is a great privilege to work with these types of communities and volunteers. It’s so impressive to see how the entire country is pulling together and helping each other, making sure that aid is provided to those who need it the most. ’
Mines and explosives
According to Nicolò and Kristina, the mental health of the region’s residents is another main concern. ‘People have resided for months under occupation and are now dealing with constant putting, ’ says Kristina. ‘They’ve seen and experienced a good deal, and they’ve lost family and friends. This is taking its cost on people in the region, as well as on the volunteers. ’ Up until now, the project launched in Kharkiv in December provides mainly focused on assisting nearby volunteer organisations in evacuations, and performing risk plus needs assessments for the area. One of the biggest dangers, according to Nicolò, is unexploded ordnance. ‘People go into the forests and areas in search of firewood because there are no electricity or fuel, and they’re risking their particular lives in the process. These areas haven’t been cleared of mines yet; every day people are finding explosives in their houses, washing machines or even in children’s toys. ’ Read more about Nederlander aid for Ukraine:
Mobile teams
Within 2022 the embassy a new €250, 000 fund with which to support these kinds of organisations, as well as the same amount has been allocated for 2023. Using this fund, the embassy financed four projects last year, including the actions of Nonviolence Peaceforce within Kharkiv. The fund is an important addition to the existing resources from the embassy and the international companies that the Netherlands supports, like the United Nations and the World Financial institution. Local aid organisations and volunteers are playing a vital role in Ukraine. They often have extensive local systems and a good knowledge of where aid is needed. But right after ten months of battle, many organisations are under severe pressure, Nicol ò explains. ‘Many Ukrainians have been assisting out for months, but this prevents them from generating a regular income. What’s a lot more, it’s often local volunteers who work in the most dangerous areas, as the international aid organisations are prevented from going there by their very own security protocols. ’ Nonviolent Peaceforce does not supply material support but works instead to provide protection to civilians and aid workers. ‘We work with local aid organisations, volunteers and communities to enhance protection in the region, ’ says Kristina, who is from Lithuania. Prior to the war she worked from Nonviolent Peaceforce’s headquarters in Geneva, and since April 2022 she has been based in Ukraine.
‘Impressive to find out how the country is tugging together’
Nonviolent Peaceforce supports these local aid agencies and volunteers. ‘We make sure they have what they need to do their work, and do it as safely as possible, ’ Nicolò says. ‘In Kharkiv, for example , we work with an organisation that evacuates civilians from areas where combating is still going on. We loan bullet-proof vests and head gear to our local partners, and help plan the evacuation route and cover the expenses – mainly for petrol – incurred by volunteers. ’ The Dutch embassy in Kyiv is assisting small, agile aid companies, which are often able to respond swiftly, giving Ukrainians vital crisis assistance. Small NGOs plus volunteer organisations are playing a key role in Ukraine: they often have an extensive nearby network and good knowledge of where aid is needed.
Dutch aid to UkraineGenerator and water filters intended for Ukraine: ‘We help where the need is greatest’: The war has left many people in Ukraine without access to electricity or running water. The need is especially great in areas that have been recently liberated. The Dutch embassy in Kyiv supports organisations that can rapidly make a difference in order to local communities, like Stichting de Leeuw Kyiv. Dutch embassy in Kyiv supporting mine clearance efforts: ‘86 minefields identified’ : Daria Zhydkova from Ukraine had been due to go to Angola to work for the HALO Trust mine clearance organisation. She submitted her visa application in Kyiv in the afternoon. That night Russia invaded Ukraine. Daria never made it to Angola. She’s now doing it same job, but in her own country. Nonviolent Peaceforce wants to offer training courses to ensure that people know what to do when they encounter unexploded ordnance. ‘In these courses we can show people how to recognise mines and how to deal with any explosives they come across. We can also describe how to register the location associated with mines and notify the right institutions, ’ Nicolò says.
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