U.S. Journalist Documents How East SOS Evacuates People with Disabilities from Kramatorsk
As russian shelling intensifies and FPV drone attacks continue, East SOS remains committed to evacuating residents from Kramatorsk.
This time, the Foundation’s evacuation crew was joined by John Grinvalds, a journalist with U.S.-based broadcaster KETV, who documented the work of the evacuation crew and the stories of those they helped bring to safety.
Halyna, 71, was evacuated from a hospital. Following an amputation, she required constant care, medical support, and relocation to a safer region. Our team transported her to a hospital in Lozova, Kharkiv Oblast.
In another photograph, evacuation crew member Roman Buhaiov is assisting Nadiia, 76. Due to her health condition, she requires medical assistance, psychological support, and legal aid. She is currently staying temporarily at the Social Adaptation Center for People with Disabilities by NGO “Ocean of Kindness” in Dnipro.
For these women, the journey does not end with evacuation. The East SOS team continues to support them every step of the way. The Foundation’s specialists assist with relocation, help obtain the necessary documents, and provide psychological and social support. The search for a safe place where they can receive long-term care and permanent accommodation is ongoing.
These are just two stories among the hundreds East SOS encounters every day. One of the most pressing challenges remains the shortage of accommodation options for seniors and people with disabilities evacuated from frontline areas. In the midst of war, it is impossible to rapidly create enough places to provide residential care services. At the same time, urgent action is needed to:
♿️ set up collective sites designed in line with accessibility principles;
👤 ensure the social workers are present at the collective sites;
🏠 expand the network of transit centers capable of providing social services, care, and support;
🤝 strengthen assisted living and residential care systems for people who are unable to care for themselves independently.
East SOS helps people throughout their entire journey to safety – from evacuation out of dangerous areas to finding shelter, receiving the care they need, and rebuilding their lives in a new place.
☎️ To arrange evacuation, call Monday to Saturday (08:00–18:00): 0800 332 614.
We also provide consultations via messengers:
☑️ +38 099 710 48 72 (Viber);
☑️ +38 096 108 60 48 (Telegram).
🤝 These activities are carried out within the project “Integrated Comprehensive Support and Protection for Vulnerable Evacuees” implemented by East SOS with financial support from the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund (UHF).
Earlier, we shared that the humanitarian situation in Donetsk Oblast continues to deteriorate, while logistical routes increasingly come under attack from enemy drones.
