On November 6, 2025, a delegation from the Canadian Embassy in Ukraine paid a visit to ADRA Ukraine’s protection centre in Mykolaiv. The delegation was led by Ms. Ambassador Natalka Tsmots and included Head of Development Michael Rimek and Development Specialist Herman Sirman.
The participants discussed the status of the MHWP (Mental Health, Winterization, & Protection) project currently being implemented by ADRA. They also discussed the possibility of applying for a project extension and engaging in additional project activities. Staff from ADRA Ukraine described the meeting as warm, friendly, and heartfelt.
As the war in Ukraine has dragged on, ADRA has gradually shifted from emergency evacuation and food provisions for those in the immediate aftermath of battles and attacks to longer-term concerns facing survivors of the war.
Concerning mental health, many Ukrainians have been understandably shaken by the violence around them. Some families have lived through bombing and shelling directly, while others have faced the horrors of fathers returning home from the frontlines traumatized and disturbed—sometimes lashing out and bringing the violence of war into the home (see more on this here). ADRA has helped many Ukrainian families to connect to licenced therapists and psychologists who have helped them overcome these traumas.
In the current ADRA project, there are psychologists who are especially focused on teaching healthy coping and emotional regulation skills to children who have faced the horrors of war. Through these interventions, children learn to reclaim the innocence of childhood despite while also honestly understanding the violence they have seen. (For more on this, see this post from ADRA Ukraine.)
Concerning winterization, many Ukrainian families have remained in homes that have experienced significant structural damage due to the fighting. For many, the cold Ukrainian winter has become an equally dangerous battleground – with many homes lacking the ability to retain heat. ADRA has been providing blankets, warm clothing, and fuel bricks for heat to families who might otherwise have no way to stay warm in their homes through the coldest season of the year.
Concerning protection, ADRA Ukraine continues to respond to the vulnerabilities of various groups—particularly women and children—who are most at risk in the context of the war. As previously mentioned, cases of domestic violence (and gender-based violence) have increased in the wake of the conflict, and ADRA is responding accordingly. While the meeting took place in Mykolaiv, ADRA protection points in Kryvyi Rih and Dnipro have also been active sites for various forms of protection-centric community activities to take place. These ongoing efforts ensure that Ukrainians can make full and holistic recoveries despite their circumstances.
The Canadian Embassy delegation expressed appreciation for the quality of ADRA Ukraine’s project implementation and thanked the team for their important work.
