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CENTER FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT AND COUNSELING

The Psychological Support and Counseling Center has been operating at the Malteser Relief Service in Lviv for two years. The important role of psychological assistance and psychosocial support provided by the project’s psychologists and social workers can be noted. Teams of psychologists and social workers, totaling more than 60 specialists, operate in 5 cities of Ukraine (Lviv, Zolochiv, Sambir, Kyiv, and Kharkiv), providing services at more than 80 locations (shelters, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, transit zones, educational spaces, etc.)

The project’s work includes providing both individual counseling and group activities to war-affected people of all ages, especially members of vulnerable groups. Working at all levels of care - from basic psychosocial support to highly qualified therapy for mental trauma and, if necessary, psychiatric care - the project’s specialists manage to respond to the needs of affected people in a timely and high-quality manner. Group activities and trainings organized by our specialists help participants restore and maintain emotional stability. Psychologists and social workers actively cooperate to create a safe and supportive environment for each beneficiary. The project includes thematic psychoeducational activities aimed at improving selfregulation and social adaptation skills, support groups, trainings, and social cohesion activities.

CENTER FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT AND COUNSELING

Our specialists systematically improve their skills and deepen their professional qualifications to better respond to the needs and challenges of people in need of assistance. We note positive changes in the psychological state and quality of life of project participants.

During 2023, 13480 individual consultations were provided, 11727 people participated in group activities.

The Malteser Relief Service in Lviv started providing psychological assistance in 2015. The project is funded by the international non-governmental organization Malteser International, the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the German Ministry of Development.

FIRST AID COURSES

At the time when Ukraine is experiencing extremely difficult challenges in the form of constant shelling and is the most mined country in the world, Ukrainians often face life-threatening situations that require immediate first aid. Quick and correct decisions in such cases can save lives. That is why our team has trained more than 5,000 civilians in basic rescue skills over the past year. Our target audience includes school and kindergarten staff, schoolchildren, students, and volunteers.

FIRST AID COURSES

The main goal of the project is to teach people how to act in stressful situations, provide them with the necessary knowledge and skills, as well as a sense of security and self-confidence. Analyzing numerous reviews, we can state that there is a high public interest in this area and that the information provided is of great importance to our students.

Thanks to effective cooperation with donors and partners, as well as the most efficient use of available resources, the project is gradually scaling up, becoming more accessible to residents of frontline cities. In 2024, we plan to conduct 100 first aid trainings in Zaporizhzhia, and in 2025, at least 100 more trainings in Odesa, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia. Due to security risks, all our events are held exclusively in shelters.

Our highest priority is to save lives. Each training is more than just training: it is hope, strength of mind and faith in your own capabilities. We sincerely believe that each of us can save a life, and that is why our motto - #you_will_save - is the basis of everything we do.

The project is funded by the international non-governmental organization Malteser International and the German Federal Foreign Office.

SPIELMOBIL - MOBILE PLAY SPACE

The Spielmobil project is a project organized to support children affected by war. The project evolves around a brightly colored bus equipped with toys, puzzles, gadgets, and sports equipment that travels from place to place, providing psycho-emotional relief through playful activities. This mobile play space is designed to provide emotional relief and integration for children, especially those who have experienced loss of loved ones and a change of environment.

The bus plays a critical role in creating a safe and relaxed environment where children can recover their emotional strength through playful interactions. This project not only provides children with a break from the stresses of war, but also contributes to their psychological rehabilitation and adaptation to new living conditions.

The Spielmobil has become an important step in supporting IDP children and creating conditions for their successful integration in a new environment.

The project also operates in Ivano-Frankivsk and Berehove in partnership with the Malteser Relief Service of Ivano-Frankivsk and Berehove. In 2023, the Spielmobil team made 298 visits and engaged 13,306 children, including 4,702 children in Lviv Oblast. The project is funded by the international non-governmental organization Malteser International, an association of German humanitarian agencies ADH (Action Deutschland Hilft).

PROSTHETICS WORKSHOP IN UNBROKEN

During the first year after opening, the UNBROKEN prosthetic workshop, in cooperation with our organisation, manufactured 244 prostheses for people who lost their limbs due to the war. The rehabilitation center started offering prosthetics in September 2022. Back then, the Malteser Relief Service in Lviv provided UNBROKEN with a mobile prosthetics workshop from one of the world’s best manufacturers.

The purpose of this cooperation is to provide prostheses and treatment to patients injured during the war quickly and free of charge. The amount of investment reached EUR 1 million, 800 thousand of which is the cost of component materials for the production of prostheses, 180 thousand - the cost of a mobile workshop with equipment for two workplaces.

The project was implemented with the financial support of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Malteser International, at the initiative of German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach and with the assistance of the German Embassy in Ukraine.

DELIVERY OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS TO FRONTLINE AREAS

In 2023, the Malteser Relief Service in Lviv continued the Winter Program, which included the delivery of construction materials to residents of Kherson and Mykolaiv regions. The Malteser Relief Service in Lviv has provided construction materials to more than 900 households in Kherson, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro and Kharkiv regions that were damaged by the hostilities.

This includes 300 tons of construction materials for the immediate repair of homes that were damaged by enemy shelling. Hundreds of roofs were repaired, windows were sewn up and broken windows were replaced so that the residents of these homes could spend the winter in warmth. In addition, the Malteser Relief Service provided furniture to equip shelters in kindergartens in the South.

GENERATORS AND POWER PLANTS

As part of the Winter Program, the Malteser Relief Service in Lviv delivered 575 generators to the frontline regions. These generators help residents charge their phones, stay in touch with their families and keep up with the news, keep warm, turn on electrical appliances and even ensure the functioning of water supply at pumping stations in some settlements. The Malteser Relief Service has also donated 20 powerful Bluetti power stations for Zaporizhzhia rescuers and the Zaporizhzhia Regional State Administration. This assistance is important for the successful fulfillment of the tasks of the State Emergency Service units, especially in the most difficult time for Ukraine. Generators and portable charging stations are essential in the event of an emergency power outage, particularly near the front line, to ensure the optimal performance of rescuers.

HUMANITARIAN AID

The Malteser Relief Service in Lviv distributes humanitarian aid from partners. In particular, in 2023, we distributed 30 tons of furniture, 3 tons of shoes, and 20 tons of food. We also donated medicine and medical instruments to numerous hospitals and medical institutions.

SOLAR POWER PLANTS FOR SES IN KHARKIV

State Emergency Service in Kharkiv received solar power plants with storage batteries as humanitarian aid from the Malteser Relief Service in Lviv. Thanks to the alternative source of electricity, the rescuers will be able to work uninterruptedly during periods of power outages.

Oleksandr Volobuiev, Head of the Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Kharkiv Oblast, inspected the solar power plant, expressed his gratitude and awarded a certificate of appreciation to the staff of the charity organization Malteser Relief Service in Lviv. This project was made possible thanks to German partners, in particular the association of German humanitarian agencies Aktion Deutschland Hilft.

DISTRIBUTION OF WINTER, FOOD, AND HYGIENE KITS

Within the framework of the Winter Program, in order to provide residents of the frontline areas with warmth, food and personal hygiene products, the Malteser Relief Service in Lviv delivered 2,000 winter kits, 8,000 food kits and 12,000 hygiene kits.

Each winter kit included a power bank with a solar panel, warm socks, dry food (which does not require cooking), LED flashlights, batteries, sleeping bags, and thermoses. These winter kits are designed for critical conditions and are intended to help Ukrainians stay warm, as residents of frontline areas often experience an acute shortage of basic hygiene and warmth items during the cold season.

The Malteser Relief Service in Lviv began distributing hygiene kits in 2022 as a response to the critical living conditions of the population in the recently liberated frontline areas. The distribution process is closely monitored, with the focus on ensuring that the aid reaches the recipients and that their feedback is positive. The program also takes into account potential risks, such as security and logistical challenges, by implementing strategies such as working with local partners and maintaining flexible distribution plans.

The Malteser Relief Service in Lviv has also provided food packages for 8,000 families in Odesa, Mykolaiv, Kherson, Kharkiv, Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia regions. For this humanitarian aid, we purchased the necessary products from local producers in the Lviv region. In this way, we helped people in the frontline regions and supported local businesses. The packages from local producers contain the most essential products, such as oil, sugar, various cereals and porridges, pasta, canned meat and fish. The program met the immediate needs of thousands of beneficiaries by providing them with support.

The program was funded by the Aktion Deutschland Hilft, an association of German humanitarian agencies.

The Malteser Relief Service joined the replacement of windows in Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv regions.

The Kharkiv region is under constant enemy shelling, and some settlements are still without electricity. So the population is being evacuated to shelters. One of them was organized in the dormitory of the Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics. The Malteser Relief Service, in cooperation with the Kharkiv with You Charitable Foundation and with the support of the Civil Protection Department of Kharkiv regional military administration, replaced the old windows of the dormitory, which were damaged by shelling, to provide the displaced people with warmth and comfort.

Zaporizhzhia also suffers from rocket attacks on a regular basis. Both apartment buildings and private houses are being destroyed. Most of the houses have broken windows and doors and damaged balconies.

INSTALLING WINDOWS IN KHARKIV AND ZAPORIZHZHIA

TAKING CARE OF ROAD SAFETY IN THE DARK

This year, the Malteser Relief Service in Lviv implemented an important project to ensure the safety and assistance of people in the frontline regions of Ukraine. We distributed 20,000 reflective bracelets in Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson and Odesa regions.

Each bracelet contains important information to help in critical situations. It contains a first aid algorithm that can be important in saving lives before medical professionals arrive.

CATERING AT THE TRAIN STATION

During the first 400 days of the full-scale war, the Malteser Relief Service in Lviv provided hot lunches to people from evacuation trains at the Lviv railway station. At the request of the Lviv City Council, our team provided meals to the residents of the shelter on Pulujia Street for 2 weeks.

At first, our Lviv volunteers worked at the train station, and later our team was joined by displaced persons who were already living in the shelters of the Malteser Relief Service in Lviv. In total, our team distributed about 146,000 hot meals during our work at the railway station. All those who came to our tent are the heroes of the extraordinary stories of resilience and courage they shared with us. We certainly witnessed tears, pain, but also faith and hope for the best.

The Malteser Relief Service in Lviv held an active summer camp season for children affected by the war. This year’s summer camp was attended by 186 children. These are IDP children, children of military personnel, children from low-income families, and children affected by Russian aggression. The goal of the camp is to help the children psychologically reboot in the face of the difficult events of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The Malteser Relief Service has organized a rich educational program and comfortable living space to help children stabilize and psychologically reboot.

The project is funded by the RTL Foundation.

SHELTER IN SAMBIR

On the Feast of the Candlemas in February 2023, the building was consecrated, which will first serve as a shelter for displaced persons, and later - for the social needs of the Sambir community.

For the project, we selected high-quality and convenient materials, high-quality appliances, and comfortable furniture, most of which, by the way, is made in Ukraine. The shelter can accommodate 100 internally displaced persons. The rooms are of different types. The largest ones can accommodate up to 6 people, large families, or mothers with children. The shelter also has rooms and bathrooms equipped to meet the needs of people with limited mobility, and ramps are available.

The reconstruction was carried out in accordance with the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Malteser Relief Service, Lviv Regional State Administration and Sambir City Council. The project is funded by the international non-governmental organization Malteser International, an association of German humanitarian agencies ADH (Action Deutschland Hilfst).

ESTABLISHMENT OF A RECREATION CENTER AT FEOFANIA CLINICAL HOSPITAL

The Malteser Relief Service in Lviv has created a comfortable and cozy space for recovery, emotional rest and leisure for patients affected by the war in the premises of the Feofaniya Clinical Hospital in Kyiv.

According to the hospital, a heavy emotional background and accumulated traumatic experience negatively affect the patient’s general condition and prolong the path to recovery. Therefore, with the support of the Malteser Relief Service and Malteser International, the hospital now has a “place of strength” - the Recreation Center.

The space is equipped with a library, board games, and is a comfortable place to meet with loved ones for tea or coffee, watch movies or listen to music.

This space has also become another place for our team of psychologists and a social worker to work. The Center hosts psychological support groups, art therapy, music therapy, educational and informational meetings.

ARRANGEMENT OF A PSYCHOLOGIST’S ROOM FOR REHABILITATION AT THE OKHMATDYT HOSPITAL

Our psychologists work closely with hospital staff to provide psychological support to patients. One such hospital is the Okhmatdyt hospital in Lviv. During our cooperation, we were able to help equip a psychologist’s office for children at the Okhmatdyt hospital. The equipment included: necessary furniture, toys for psychological rehabilitation, musical instruments for music therapy, sensory therapy, stationery and other supplies for art therapy. The list includes developmental whiteboards, weighted vests, a fiber optic fiber bundle, a tactile track, a light tablet-sandbox, a rehabilitation sensory and developmental tunnel, an orthopedic chair, a cocoon, sensory balls, materials for creativity and development, musical instruments, furniture and other necessary things. All in all, everything to ensure that the process of psychological rehabilitation takes place using the most modern equipment. Since the fall of 2023, our specialists have conducted more than a hundred consultations for 74 patients, both children and parents.

EVENTS FOR THE HOLIDAYS FROM THE PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT AND COUNSELING CENTER

The Psychological Support and Counseling Center organizes thematic events throughout the year on religious, international and national holidays.

• During the Easter period, the Psychological Support and Counseling Center, together with its partners, held a series of Easter egg making workshops for IDPs in Lviv, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa and Kharkiv. During the workshops, the participants were taught various Easter egg making techniques and familiarized with the meaning of symbolism and traditions of Ukrainian culture associated with Easter eggs.

• On Children’s Day, the Malteser Relief Service in Lviv held a series of art therapy (creating drawings, ribbons, elements of music therapy, mandalas, workshops on making patriotic amulets) and entertainment events (quest games for children, relay races). In general, the events took place simultaneously in different locations in Lviv and the region.

• On the eve of Christmas, psychologists of the Malteser Relief Service, together with IDPs and residents of Lviv, painted festive gingerbread, made a collage of Christmas dishes from all over Ukraine and talked about the relationship between taste and emotions. Participants recalled what dishes they cook on Christmas Eve, shared their thoughts and thanked for the goodies. Our psychologists also distributed Christmas gifts to the patients of Feofaniya Hospital.

PROVIDING PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT AT THE SITES OF ROCKET ATTACKS IN LVIV

Psychologists of the Malteser Relief Service are also working at the sites of the shelling in Lviv. The rapid response team goes to the site of the shelling to support the injured residents and help them recover from the experience.

CHARITY KITCHEN

The Malteser Relief Service has launched this project since the beginning of its work in Ukraine in 1993. During this time, our team has provided more than 4,000,000 meals of hot food.

In our country, there are many people who, due to their advanced age or disability, cannot cook their own food and provide themselves with the necessary products. This project is designed to help them in this difficult period of their lives.

CHARITY KITCHEN

Our charity kitchen works in several areas:

1) We have a “kitchen on wheels”. For people with limited mobility, we deliver hot meals to their homes.

2) Charity kitchens at churches. People in need receive hot meals at the charity kitchens of the Church of the Holy Virgin of Ukraine and the Church of the Resurrection of Christ.

3) Distribution of food packages. Elderly people with very low material support who can prepare their own food regularly receive food packages.

The project is funded by MHD (Malteser Relief Service in Germany), donors and philanthropists in Ukraine.

ST. NICHOLAS FOR CHILDREN IN NEED

This year’s St. Nicholas for Children in Need was the 27th in the history of the Malteser Relief Service in Lviv. The focus was on children with disabilities and those affected by the war.

The little Ukrainians asked St. Nicholas for victory, peace and superpowers for their defenders. For the second year in a row, this wish has been in all children’s letters. In their letters, they talk about our defenders as heroes, so to be like them, they asked for military uniforms, chevrons and even children’s boots.

Thanks to our benefactors and donors, we made about 2,000 children’s dreams come true as part of the campaign.

Every year, on World Day of the Poor, all Malteser Relief Service centers around the world and other international organizations organize joint lunches for people in need. And despite the war, we continue to take care of people who, due to various circumstances, cannot buy food on their own or even cook their own lunch.

The importance of this day is to remember those who need our help and support. This day calls on us to make efforts and work hard so that no one feels deprived of closeness and unity.

This year, 250 people joined us for the meal.

For 15 years in a row, on Maundy Thursday, the Malteser Relief Service in Lviv has been holding a charity event called “Easter Basket”. In order to enable lonely elderly people to celebrate one of the biggest Christian holidays, the Malteser Relief Service in Lviv prepares baskets with festive food packages for them. This year, despite all the challenges associated with the war, we have prepared 250 Easter baskets.

RECONSTRUCTION OF THE HUMANITARIAN AID WAREHOUSE IN IVANO-FRANKIVSK

The Malteser Relief Service in Lviv joined in financing the reconstruction of the warehouse of the Malteser Relief Service in Ivano-Frankivsk. As part of the reconstruction, the warehouse was enlarged by 1000m2, new windows and gates were installed, new flooring and equipment were installed, and the warehouse yard was equipped with technical rooms, bathrooms and a stationary kitchen. The reconstruction made it possible to receive several shipments of humanitarian aid at the same time and to operate efficiently in winter. The installation of a local solid fuel heating system helped to avoid negative temperatures inside the premises in

winter and ensured minimal comfort for volunteers and warehouse staff, proper storage of food and other valuable materials and equipment. The installation of a stationary kitchen made it possible to free up field kitchens for other needs and optimized the connection of all communications and working conditions for volunteers.

Thanks to the reconstruction, the Malteser team was able to respond quickly to current challenges and provide efficient and high-quality assistance to people affected by the war.

DONATION OF 80 WHEELCHAIRS FOR PATIENTS OF HOSPITALS AND REHABILITATION CENTERS

The Malteser Relief Service in Lviv has delivered 80 wheelchairs to hospitals helping people affected by the war. In particular, they were received by: St. Panteleimon Hospital of the First Territorial Medical Association of Lviv, Lviv Regional Hospital, Zhovkva Hospital, our partners in Kharkiv and Odesa regions, and others.

The wheelchairs from the German manufacturer are durable and easy to use. They are available in three different sizes, have special footrests that can be rotated outward and inward, and straps to secure the legs. The chairs can be easily folded and unfolded as needed.

Assistance was provided by The American Austrian Foundation.