The Social Protection and Human Rights program is one of the key focus areas of Caritas Ukraine. The program implements projects that provide support and services to beneficiaries with high Protection risks. In particular, to large families, low-income families, people with disabilities and serious illnesses, single elderly people, victims of violence, homeless people, and many others.
In accordance with the Protection principles, program goals are:
- to improve the quality of life for vulnerable people during crises, early recovery, and development phases;
- to protect the dignity and rights of beneficiaries;
- to increase the capacity of vulnerable people to overcome difficult life situations independently.
The program includes the following components:
- information services (through the reception desk, call center, and hotline)
- crisis intervention;
- case management;
- “Cash for protection” grants;
- legal advice;
- advocacy of the beneficiaries’ rights at the local level.
The initial Crisis Centers were established in 2015, operating in four locations (Kyiv, Kramatorsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Mariupol). Since the onset of the full-scale invasion, the geographical coverage has substantially expanded. Presently, 44 locations within 31 local Caritas branches across 20 Ukrainian regions are operational under the Social Protection and Human Rights Program. This includes 38 stationary Crisis Centers and 8 mobile Crisis Center teams.
“Crisis Centers have established themselves as one-stop shops for Protection services, with a positive reputation among communities, local authorities and other organizations.”
David Glendinning, Protection Advisor at Caritas Austria
Over 500 local specialists are engaged in delivering services and assistance through the program.
This workforce comprises:
- case managers;
- crisis consultants;
- reception administrators, hotline, and call center operators;
- lawyers and advocacy managers.
Furthermore, the Social Protection and Human Rights Program is actively advancing advocacy for vulnerable groups at the local community level and providing paralegal assistance.
From the beginning of 2024 until June 2024, the Social Protection and Human Rights Program has delivered over 60,000 services, including:
- 49,667 information services through reception desks, call centers, and hotlines;
- 2,632 crisis interventions;
- 3,029 case management services;
- 3,846 legal consultations;
- 1,475 “Cash for Protection” grants.