EU Solidarity: support to elderly people and people with disabilities in the Arkhangelsk Region

08.04.2021

*Photo provided by 'Garant' centre

 

A programme to support the elderly and people with disabilities in the Arkhangelsk Region has started in September 2020. Its implementation was made possible through a grant received by the regional charity organization “Arkhangelsk Centre for Social Technologies ‘Garant’” from the European Union under the action ‘EU solidarity with Russian civil society: assistance to elderly people and adults with disabilities.

For over seven years, the Garant centre has helped the elderly and people with disability in the Arkhangelsk Region. Over the years, it has succeeded in building systemic cooperation with the region’s NGOs and social services, including with retirement homes and other residential care facilities. During the coronavirus pandemic, this allowed the Centre to identify quickly those who need help the most and start delivering targeted assistance.

From September 2020 to February 2021, Garant’s volunteers and partner organizations provided boxes with food, homecare and mixed products, and in some cases hot meals, to over 200 pensioners and people with disabilities. The aid was delivered to residents of Arkhangelsk, Novodvinsk, and Kholmogory and Pinezhsky municipal districts. Moreover, five social care institutions of the Arkhangelsk Region received from the Centre the much-needed personal protection items (masks, protective suits, gloves, and screens), sanitizers, and care and hygiene products.

“There is a growing need in direct aid to vulnerable groups of population worldwide. It is important for all of them to know that they are not left behind and somebody cares about their problems. It is for this reason that even a little support is greatly appreciated,” said Marina Mikhailova, Director of the Garant Centre.

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The action ‘EU solidarity with Russian civil society: assistance to elderly people and adults with disabilities’ is funded by the European Union and implemented by Charitable Foundation for Philanthropy Development CAF Russia. The action aims to provide help for elderly people and adults with disabilities in Russia to cope the COVID-19 pandemic crisis and its implications. Apart from the EU, the key donor of the action, individual contributions were made by Belgium, Estonia, France, Italy, Luxembourg, and Switzerland.