Search

Donate

Title of bulletin

Human Rights Bulletin Protection and Safety of Children with Disabilities in the Residential Institutions of War-Torn Ukraine: The UN Guidelines on Deinstitutionalization and the Role of International Donors

This bulletin considers the situation of children with disabilities in Ukraine, who at the time of the onset of the armed conflict were living in institutional care. DRI investigations have revealed that despite abundant inter- national assistance, the government of Ukraine and international relief agencies have failed to ensure the safety and protect the lives of these children within institutions – or to ensure their safe return to families in the community.

BBC followed Disability Rights International into Ukraine institutions for children with disabilities

"The billions of dollars of international aid being pumped into Ukraine during the war should also be used to shut down orphanages, support families to care for their children and build a community that accepts disability," says Eric Rosenthal, Executive director of DRI.

Final Report and Recommendations: Addressing the Situation of Children with Disabilities in Residential Care as Part of the Ukraine Response

Final Report & Recommendations: Addressing the situation of children with disabilities in residential care as part of the Ukraine response

On 7 July 2022, the Better Care Network (BCN) and Disability Rights International (DRI) organised an event with disability and child protection actors focused on the situation of children with disabilities in residential care in Ukraine (including those children who have been returned to families or evacuated from facilities since 24 February 2022).

Side event: Lessons learned from Ukraine: Implementing the right to live in the community for children and adults in institutions during a time of war and emergency

United Nations, 15th session of Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Friday, June 17, 2022 10:00-11:15 EST 

Accessibility: CART and Sign Language Interpretation Available
Moderator: Eric Rosenthal, Executive Director, Disability Rights International 
Speakers: 

Left Behind in the War

Left Behind in the War: Dangers Facing Children with Disabilities In Ukraine’s Orphanages

In late April 2022, Disability Rights International (DRI) brought a team of people with disabilities and family activists, including medical and disability service experts, to visit Ukraine’s institutions for children with disabilities.  DRI visited three facilities for children aged six to adult, and one “baby” home for children from birth to age six.  DRI finds that Ukraine’s children with disabilities with the greatest support needs are living in atrocious conditions – entirely overlooked by major international relief agencies and receiving little support from abroad.  
Related Press
NBC News Highlights DRI’s Work in Ukraine
BBC News - The disabled Ukrainians facing a lifetime of mistreatment and abuse
BBC followed DRI into Ukraine institutions for children with disabilities
DRI Video Ukraine

New Report: Left Behind in the War: Dangers Facing Children with Disabilities in Ukraine's Orphanages

In late April 2022, Disability Rights International (DRI) brought a team of people with disabilities and family activists, including medical and disability service experts, to visit Ukraine’s institutions for children with disabilities. DRI finds that Ukraine’s children with disabilities with the greatest support needs are living in atrocious conditions – entirely overlooked by major international relief agencies and receiving little support from abroad.

Ukraine Emergency Action – DRI Seeks Immediate Support

Your support is needed to protect children and adults with disabilities in Ukraine.  Everyone is suffering.  But babies, children, and adults with disabilities in group homes, orphanages and institutions are lost and forgotten. In this conflict, they are in grave danger of being abandoned by staff -- facing starvation and death.  DRI is sounding the alarm to protect the lives of people most at-risk. Even before the war, Ukraine’s extensive network of orphanages left children without the love, care, and protection of family.

Subscribe to Ukraine