July 25, 2014 Ukraine

Psychosocial courses: Caritas Czech Republic in Ukraine

By the end of June 2014, donators will have contributed almost 1.5 million CZK to the collection fund “Caritas for Ukraine”. Caritas Czech Republic have used this money to indemnify the relatives of victims of the Maidan unrests, equipped four hospitals in Western Ukraine, opened 4 positions for psychologists, supported the running of a kitchen in Maidan and financed psychosocial aid training for Ukrainian psychologists.

In February, Caritas Czech Republic announced the collection with the goal to support the victims of the Ukrainian protests and to secure indemnity for their families. Caritas Czech Republic handed over 100,000 CZK to nine families. In addition to this, 275,000 CZK was used to provide equipment for four Ukrainian hospitals and to establish the position of psychologist at four Caritas groups in the cities of Kolomyja, Stryj, Ternopyl and Novovolynsk.

While the Ukrainian government has made their own indemnity for the victims of the February repressions which took place on the capital city’s Maidan square, based on a detailed analysis of the needs of Ukraine, Caritas decided to use further financial means in the following ways:

The amount of 220,785 CZK was used for the running of a kitchen on Maidan square. Additionally, the amount of 256,658 CZK was used to finance two seminars for 71 psychologists and other specialists providing psychosocial aid in crisis situations. The seminars took place in Kiev and Lvov and were made possible through the cooperation of the Slovak organisation Modrý Anjel. The seminars focused on the theme of psychological intervention in order to relieve Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

According to the opinions of participants, the training was extremely helpful, in Helena Butnik’s words,

“As a psychologist facing extraordinary situations, I could adapt my knowledge to the requirements and demands of the situations which I faced on Maidan. However, despite a great amount of study materials dealing with overcoming the consequences of traumatic events, only because of my participation in the seminar, was I able to organise and apply new personal experience. I really appreciate the generosity of the Slovak colleagues in sharing their own knowledge and experience and their creation of an atmosphere of mutual support for the seminar’s members. For me, their high professionalism is a source of inspiration.”

Other financial means will be used to support projects helping internal refugees or to support activities in cooperation with local Caritas groups in Western Ukraine. Future plans for Caritas Czech Republic also include further professional training for Ukrainian psychologists and social workers.

Contact for the media:

Jitka Kozubková, communications department, 603 511 242, jitka.kozubkova@charita.cz