Serving Victims of War - War Injuries, Treatment

Wednesday, November 8, 2023 | Jacksonville, FL
Tags: Ukraine
Of the estimated 2.7 million Ukrainians with a documented disability, many are at significant additional risk as a result of the war. There are regular reports of Russian troops actively targeting centers and institutions housing people with disabilities Ð including childrenÕs centers. With a lack of safe evacuation routes, those who cannot flee are in danger of being abandoned. Unfortunately, the country does not yet have a single institution that is responsible for those who served and are currently serving their country. About twenty ministries and public agencies manage a number of programs aimed at assisting Ukrainian veterans and as a result huge sums of money are being spent inefficiently and veterans are not receiving the necessary support. The Committee on Veteran Affairs of the Parliament of Ukraine created the Ministry of Veterans Affairs in late 2018, and initial efforts are being made to create and expand a network of Veterans Hubs, but it will take a long time to consolidate support efforts. In addition, there are many volunteer initiatives and non-government organizations that help injured veterans re-integrate into society and that provide them with physical and psychological help. The participants in this program will benefit greatly from observing and learning about the efforts of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Veterans Health Administration to better serve American veterans, as well as the work of various citizen initiatives to provide support to injured veterans.