AFTER THE DISASTER: SUPPORT FOR SEX WORKERS AFFECTED BY THE KAKHOVKA DAM EXPLOSION

The sex worker community and CO "Legalife-Ukraine" are grateful to our partners ActionAid for their quick response and willingness to support those who desperately need it!

Immediately after the tragedy that occurred as a result of the explosion of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station, ActionAid representatives contacted us with a proposal for emergency assistance for sex workers. The offer concerned sex workers living in the areas that were primarily affected by the disaster. Of course, we took advantage of this opportunity. In a short time, the team of CO "Legalife-Ukraine" conducted an assessment of the needs of sex workers in the regions where we have our offices - leaders and initiative groups - and based on the assessment, developed a work plan of supporting for two months and a project budget.

To understand what our communities need first and foremost, Natalia Isaieva (Director of CO "Legalife-Ukraine") and Olena Fiskova (Head of the Board of CO "Legalife-Ukraine") held consultations with SWs and representatives of other vulnerable groups (PLHIV, LGBT, PLHIV) in Dnipro, Mykolaiv and Kryvyi Rih.

Next is what residents of the affected areas have told us

It turned out that the population of this region has limited access to technical water - technical water is supplied to residential buildings in the region on a scheduled basis, this water is of poor quality and not suitable for human consumption without prior purification and disinfection. Representatives of the city authorities emphasized that, even if used sparingly, the technical water would last for 1-1.5 months. However, there is hope for an improvement in the situation, as work is allegedly underway to connect the region to another water supply system to supply the population. At the same time, the timing of these works has not been determined.

With regard to drinking water, the city authorities meet the immediate needs of the population for water for drinking and cooking (water is brought to neighborhoods by tankers). There is also enough drinking water available for sale. Prices for this commodity spiked in the first days after the tragedy, but lately have returned to normal.

Initiatives to support the SWs in response to the tragedy

Due to the shortage of industrial and drinking water and the threat of a complete water cut-off in the region, it was decided that the SWs should be provided with the following goods

food, namely semi-finished products, freeze-dried food and instant food, i.e. those that require minimal water for cooking;

hygiene products that are used with minimal water (dry shampoos, dry showers, wet wipes, etc.)

water disinfection tablets;

detergents, etc.

In the light of recent events and warnings from the Ukrainian military and law enforcement agencies about the threat of a possible recurrence of terrorist acts by Russian troops, namely the explosion of the ZNPP, the SWs community decided to provide the SWs with at least minimal means of protection. Therefore, protective masks and dosimeters were added to the aid package.

If you live in Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih or Mykolaiv and need help, please contact our Hotline:

+38(050) 450 777 4,  

+38(067) 450 777 4

[ActionAid is an international non-governmental organization whose stated primary aim is to work against poverty and injustice worldwide.

ActionAid is a federation of 45 country offices that works with communities, often via local partner organisations, on a range of development issues. It was founded in 1972 by Cecil Jackson-Cole as a child sponsorship charity... (Wiki)]