War brutalizes people, stripping them of their human rights. Deaf people may quickly lose their hard-won rights, such as the right to access information or to security as well as their very lives. The WFD works to protect deaf people during disasters and armed conflicts with deaf associations around the world.
As the first shots were fired, the WFD reached out to our Ordinary Member, the Ukranian Society of the Deaf. The WFD has offered our assistance with intervention at the international level and any other forms of support they may need. The WFD calls on global leaders to ensure access to information and protection for deaf people in Ukraine, and to support deaf refuges from Ukraine who are fleeing the conflict.
We are also consulting with our Expert networks on ways to move forward with support for deaf Ukrainians, and for other deaf people in situations of armed conflict, today and going forward. This includes defining the right to access information, to security, as well as their very lives.
Since the beginning of the war, we have received many donations from individuals and organizations. These donations have been redistributed to our member, the Ukrainian Society of the Deaf (UTOG). Of the 36,000 deaf people in Ukraine, 5,000 have fled to Europe and 9,000 have been moved into the Western territories that have not yet been impacted by the war. There are still difficulties such as food distribution, access to enough interpreters and general support, including access to mental health professionals.
You can continue to support UTOG by making a donation.
The current situation in Ukraine continues to be quite challenging. Several deaf associations throughout the country dispersed these announcements. Interpreters have also been at work to ensure that government announcements are accessible, and a 24/7 video relay network still works to guarantee deaf people their right to make phone calls at all hours as necessary.
The Ukrainian Society for the Deaf disseminates information to deaf people through a variety of platforms. The main information is to warn people of incoming attacks and to let them know when they should take cover.
They have several people on our team who make information accessible in Ukrainian Sign Language. They then send the information to their regional contacts so they can get it to their local deaf communities.
In addition, they work alongside the government. Any information they receive from them, they also send along to our regional network.
They are facing many issues regarding refugees. They would like to thank their neighboring partner associations. An increasing number of EU countries are offering to help with the reception of refugees.
They would especially like to thank the WFD, Joseph Murray and Ordinary Member associations of the WFD for their support of the Ukrainian deaf community.
The WFD is organizing a donation campaign to support deaf people in Ukraine through the work of our member The Ukrainian Society of the Deaf.
We can also redistribute these donations to our members in neighboring countries who are receiving deaf Ukrainians refugees if necessary.
