Crisis management by HIV/AIDS non-governmental organisations in the post-Euromaidan Ukraine led to opening new horizons

Drugs and Alcohol Today,Volume 17, Issue 3, Page 149-156, September 2017. Purpose Civil society played a significant role during and after the 2014 revolution in Ukraine, which led to the resignation of President Yanukovich and his government and triggered a series of political, economic and social changes. In some areas, particularly by HIV and tuberculosis, the critical gaps threatened the emergence of a public health catastrophe. The purpose of this paper is to describe how civil society expands and strengthens its role in complex crisis situations, self-regulating and re-adjusting own aims and strategy by using the case of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) active in HIV prevention in high-risk groups and harm reduction. Design/methodology/approach The paper presents the analysis of the case of Alliance of Public Health, one of the principal recipients of the Global Fund to Fight Tuberculosis, AIDS and Malaria in 2014-2016, during and after the Euromaidan Revolution in Ukraine. Findings In the post-Euromaidan era, NGO sector has been able to sustain the response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic at a stable level despite significant limitations of resources and the overall fragile situation. Special efforts have been undertaken to continue activities in the conflict zone in the east of the country. Furthermore, NGOs managed to extend beyond their usual responsibilities, bridging the gaps in deteriorating public health and social systems, including taking the leadership in me...
Source: Drugs and Alcohol Today - Category: Addiction Source Type: research