There are no “ordinary” weeks in Ukraine – each brings new challenges and opens up new opportunities. Along with addressing urgent humanitarian needs, the country is shaping strategies for long-term recovery. The transition period requires coordinated work between the civil society sector, international organizations, state institutions and local communities.

This week, the ZDOROVI team worked precisely at the intersection of these areas, strengthening connections that can grow into sustainable partnerships and concrete solutions for those in need.

Focus of the week: strengthening intersectoral partnerships in a transformational period of the humanitarian system Ukraine is entering a phase when the humanitarian architecture created in the first years of a full-scale war is adapting to the tasks of long-term stabilization and development. This week, Natalia Tulinova held a series of strategic meetings:

- Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) - during the meeting, key areas for improving the healthcare system were discussed, including: implementing reforms taking into account European best practices, ensuring transparency and monitoring of anti-corruption measures in the financing of medical services, developing statistics and digitalizing data collection in the medical sector, as well as assessing the quality and accessibility of medical care.

- OCHA Gender Coordinators Cluster - coordinating approaches to including a gender component at all stages of humanitarian response.

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Gender and Peacebuilding: Women’s Participation in ReconstructionOn August 14, the ZDOROVI team participated in the First International Summit “Women’s Leadership for Peace” at the Veteran Hub, organized by the International Institute of Women’s Public Diplomacy of Ukraine (Belgium). Panel discussions covered:

- the impact of women’s initiatives on security policy;

- the role of women in humanitarian assistance and peacebuilding;

- ways to attract investment in reconstruction.

It was emphasized that women’s participation in all stages of reconstruction – from planning to implementation – not only strengthens social cohesion, but also creates additional opportunities for sustainable development.

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‍Tools for action: Ukrainian version of the Protection Advocacy ToolkitThe UNHCR office presented the Ukrainian translation of the Protection Advocacy Toolkit – a universal set of tools for protecting people’s rights in crisis situations.

This is the first time that the document has been fully adapted linguistically and methodologically for Ukrainian specialists. ZDOROVI took part in a discussion of the practical use of the tool in Ukraine. The practical part took place in a case study format: participants simulated crisis situations – from the shutdown of medical services to threats to patient safety – and looked for the most effective solutions.

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Mental health in the focus of ZDOROVI

On August 13, ZDOROVI held a meeting with Canadian mental health ambassador Geoff Moore. He represents The REAL organization, which deals with men's psychological health issues and has more than 100 ambassadors around the world. The REAL aims to fight the stigma surrounding mental health, raise funds to help solve mental problems, and create a community of support in difficult situations. The meeting discussed joint mental health projects for medical professionals in Ukraine.

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‍Healthcare and WASH: tools for safety and hygiene

Negotiations with the international organization We World have opened up prospects for the implementation of WASH FIT (Water and Sanitation for Health Facility Improvement Tool) in medical facilities in Ukraine.

This tool allows for a comprehensive assessment of:

- water supply quality;

- sanitary conditions;

- hygienic practices;

- infection control level.

For Ukraine, which faces daily challenges in the safety of patients and medical staff, this can be a decisive factor in reducing the risks of infections and increasing standards of care. Additionally, the creation of an adapted menstrual diary was discussed, which would combine educational materials and tools for monitoring women's health.

Figure of the week

A study in medical facilities that implemented WASH FIT showed: the average service quality score increased from 66 to 83 points out of 100 over the year. This means not only raising safety standards, but also increasing patient trust in the healthcare system.

For conclusion

Changes in the humanitarian system are not only a challenge, but also a unique opportunity for joint action. ZDOROVI works where medical care, human rights, gender equality and community development intersect. We combine resources, experience and vision to form sustainable solutions that can withstand any crisis. Every new contact, every coordinated action and every joint project is a brick in the foundation of the better future of Ukraine.