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Keystone Moldova English and Keystone Moldova Romanian
Keystone Human Services (KHS) is a non-profit organization that is a part of a global movement to provide support and expertise to people with disabilities.
Keystone Human Services remains committed to our work in Eastern Europe supporting people with disability and building a more inclusive world. We strongly condemn the aggression against Ukraine and stand in full support of the Ukrainian people.
When the bombs first exploded in Ukraine, our employees in Moldova could hear them. The Unitate Community Center run by Keystone Moldova in Tudora is right near the border, and Ukrainians began crossing into Moldova there and at nearby Palanca. We are not a humanitarian aid organization, but this is our community, and Keystone Moldova stepped forward to help.
We’re looking to people’s immediate needs today, tomorrow, next week—food, shelter, other supplies. We’re also looking at what people will need in the years to come as they rebuild their lives.
Keystone Moldova has been a trusted NGO in the Republic of Moldova for 20 years, working to make sure people with disability are included in every part of society. We know that crises like this have long-term impacts. Many Ukrainians will stay in Moldova. We’re advocating for policies related to emergency situations that include people with disability. Support is needed to build inclusive infrastructure and social services that account for the needs of refugees with disabilities. Children will need to be included in kindergarten, school, and other services. People will need support as they build their resilience and establish a home for themselves.
Today we’re providing a hot meal. We’ll be here tomorrow as people begin looking to the future.
100% of your donation will go to Keystone Moldova, providing Ukrainians with food, shelter, and other supplies, as well as long-term needs like support services.
During a crisis, people with disability—especially women with disability—are at risk of abandonment, violence, and death. They are often cut off from information, resources, and their community. Article 11 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities speaks to countries’ responsibilities to ensure the protection and safety of people with disability during armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies, and natural disasters, among other crises.
There are at least 2.7 million Ukrainians with disability. Keystone Moldova is making sure that people with disability are included in every conversation. We’re advocating for inclusive relief efforts and policies so people with disability are not left behind. We’re mapping the needs of refugees with disabilities within shelters throughout Moldova and streamlining the way human service NGOs provide support for people with disability.
Your donation makes an impact. Our work focuses on Ukrainians with disability in official refugee shelters, as well as those hosted by families and other shelters. You can help make sure people with disability are included in disaster relief efforts. Below are some of the ways we are supporting people during this crisis and how your donation helps:
“Each donation is a hand of help and solidarity to support the basic needs of people with disabilities in emergency situations.”
In addition to supplies and information, Keystone Moldova is providing Ukrainian children with a safe place to play and just be children.
Keystone Moldova is a leader in the national task force with the UN Human Rights Office in Moldova to address the needs of refugees with disabilities. Representatives from national and international NGOs, central public authorities, and donors are working together to coordinate services and supports.
We are mapping people’s needs and making information accessible for people with disabilities, as well as making sure people have access to food, assistive equipment, accessible transportation, medical care, and medications. We’re working to make sure refugees with disabilities can access the community-based services they need.
Keystone Moldova promotes inclusion for people with disability, emphasizing full participation in the community. Our expertise lies in deinstitutionalization, sustainable community-based services and systems design, inclusive policy development, and inclusive education. We take a rights-based approach to ensure that people with disability are included in all parts of society. Keystone Moldova partners with national and local governments and advocates to reform and develop the framework for the social protection system and community-based services, and we have consulted with countries and NGOs around the world.
Visit KeystoneMoldova.md to learn more.
