Ukraine: Demand for trauma treatment continues to grow
Cologne/Kyiv. Three years after the Russian army's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the psychological resilience of individuals and Ukrainian society as a whole is becoming more important: Pavlo Titko, head of the Order of Malta in Ukraine, says: "The war changes everything, but the most important thing remains untouched: our ability to be there for one another and to hold on to this world, even when it is shaken. Psychological resilience means overcoming difficulties together, finding meaning, and continuing on the path to the future."
Last year alone, the Malteser International, together with its local partner network, provided psychosocial support to more than 40.000 people. This included (trauma) therapy sessions, family counseling, psychoeducation in daycare centers and schools, awareness events, art therapy, and several mobile play centers.
According to the United Nations, around 10 million people in the country suffer from mental illnesses, and around half of the entire population reports regular anxiety attacks.
Lisa Schönmeier, head of Malteser International's Ukraine department, also reports: "More and more people require trauma treatment. The longer the war lasts, the more exhausted people become, their resilience decreases, and the risk of mental illness increases. This situation is exacerbated in winter, as the external circumstances are currently even more severe: electricity and heating fail regularly, temperatures often fall below freezing, and health facilities are increasingly under attack. Resilience diminishes in the dark and cold season, so it is all the more important that we continue to support the people of Ukraine, even after three years of war."
Malteser International has been supporting people in Ukraine since 2015, initially primarily through psychosocial services. In 2022, the assistance was further expanded to meet growing needs.
The Malteser are a member of the “Aktion Deutschland Hilft” (Germany Helps) and are urgently calling for donations for the people in Ukraine:
Maltese Relief Service e. V.
IBAN: DE10 3706 0120 1201 2000 12
SWIFT: GENODED 1PA7
Keyword: “Ukraine”
Action Germany Helps e. V.:
Account IBAN: DE62 3702 0500 0000 1020 30
Keyword: “Ukraine”
www.aktion-deutschland-hilft.de
Malteser International (MI) operates as an international humanitarian aid organization. It is a relief agency of the Catholic Order of Malta and specifically fulfills the Order's mandate of "Aid to the Needy." Its mission is to improve the health and living conditions of people in need and displaced persons worldwide. The organization provides assistance to people in need through over 140 projects in 37 countries, regardless of religion, political conviction, origin, or gender. Christian values and the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence form the basis of its work. Further information: www.malteser-international.org
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Maltese Press Office
Tel. 0221 / 9822 – 2220 or -2202