On February 24, 2025, three years have passed since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This year also marks the 11th anniversary of the illegal annexation of Crimea and the Revolution of Dignity. Over these years, the human rights situation in Ukraine has significantly deteriorated, especially for vulnerable groups.
Since the start of the full-scale war, the Roma Women’s Fund “Chirikli” and our partners have actively supported Roma communities in Ukraine by providing essential aid and assistance. Since 2019, we have been working with various Ukrainian institutions and civil society organizations to improve the human rights situation for the Roma community.
According to estimates, between 200,000 and 400,000 Roma live in Ukraine, but many are not included in official statistics due to a lack of documents. This creates significant barriers to accessing basic services, especially during wartime:
Despite all the challenges, our work continues and is expanding. Together with Diakonissalaitos, we provide support to Roma and other vulnerable groups:
Our work is part of a global effort to promote equality and human dignity. Learn more about our joint initiatives in the Deaconess Foundation blog.
We believe that only through collective efforts can we ensure a dignified life for every Roma citizen, strengthen their participation in society, and uphold democracy in Ukraine.
