USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance commits to continuing support for Ukraine's displaced
Amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine, World Vision and its dedicated implementing partners have embarked on the second phase of a vital project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)'s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), ACTED Ukraine and the Ukraine Response Consortium aimed at providing multi-sectoral humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected populations in Ukraine.
The recently concluded reflection and the startup workshop marked the formal beginning of the second phase.
The workshop was conducted over four days, allowing enough time for participants to reflect on the achievements of the first phase, learn from past experiences, and prepare for the challenges and opportunities that the upcoming phase will bring.
“Building strong partnerships and supporting the strengths of national organizations is particularly important to World Vision, as we believe that together we can achieve more and support more people and be a strong voice to influence various issues in the context of Ukraine,” shares Blerina Lako, Chief of Party for the BHA-funded project at World Vision Ukraine Crisis Response (UCR).
“This workshop was a great opportunity to bring all partners together, reflect openly and constructively, and take full commitment to the new phase of the project,” she adds.
This event brought together World Vision's dedicated staff, representatives from World Vision US, and the seven implementing partners, including the Hungarian Interchurch Aid (HIA), Youth Movement Be Free (YMBF), Arms of Mercy (AoM), Health Right (HR), Responsive Citizens, and the NGO “Girls”, and Baptist World Alliance.
The bonds forged during this event are sure to have a lasting impact on our team's performance and cohesion.
World Vision’s partners, with diverse experiences and perspectives, came together to reflect on the work of BHA Phase 1, which included Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA), Food and Non-Food Items (NFIs), and Protection outcomes over the past year.
“The workshop helped to strengthen trust, cooperation, and understanding of our common goals and commitment. As a result, team members became more aligned in their efforts, improving productivity and a stronger sense of unity,” says Artem Herman, Data Management Coordinator at World Vision UCR.
“The bonds forged during this event are sure to have a lasting impact on our team's performance and cohesion,” he goes one.
As the second phase of the BHA-funded project officially begins, World Vision and its partners are prepared to continue their vital work in Ukraine.
The success of the project will depend on the strong partnerships forged during the workshop and the commitment of all involved to making a difference in the lives of those affected by war.
The journey ahead will undoubtedly be challenging, but with the collective efforts of World Vision, its partners, and the strong communities of Ukraine, it is a journey of hope, resilience, and positive change.
To date, during the implementation of the first phase, 169,822 people have received vital assistance. This support was possible thanks to donors like USAID’s Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), Ukraine Response Consortium, and ACTED.
Story by Oleksandra Shapkina, Communications Officer I Photos by Chris Lete and Eugene Combo, UCR Communications