On April 24, 2025, an important coordination meeting was held in Odesa, organized by the Southern Hub of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The meeting brought together representatives from local authorities and non-governmental organizations.
The main goal of the event was to strengthen cooperation in light of reduced international humanitarian support.
The cessation of funding for several projects by the US government added urgency to this meeting as it posed a significant challenge to the humanitarian sector in the region.
Representing the Odesa City Council were advisor on humanitarian issues Veronika Etnarovich and deputy director of the Department of Labor and Social Policy Tetiana Vikovan.
During her speech, Veronika Etnarovich expressed gratitude to international and local partners for their resilience and support, which is crucial during this challenging period.
Participants discussed existing social programs and humanitarian challenges faced by both local residents and internally displaced persons. Key topics included the necessity of maintaining continuous assistance to the most vulnerable populations and coordinating efforts in new circumstances.
This meeting highlighted the importance of ongoing dialogue between authorities, humanitarian structures, and the civil sector. In light of decreasing financial support from donors, close collaboration and coordination may prove to be the key to effectively responding to the urgent needs of the community.
