Svitanok Offers Refuge for Marginalized Communities Amid Ukraine Conflict

As Russian troops advance toward Kramatorsk in eastern Ukraine, the Svitanok organization has become a crucial refuge for marginalized groups, including people living with HIV, drug users in recovery, and sex workers. Svitanok offers medical guidance, emotional support, and a safe space for those facing heightened stigma and insecurity due to the ongoing conflict. The war has disrupted essential treatments, particularly for HIV patients and those relying on opioid substitution therapy, which is banned by Russian-backed authorities despite international approval for its effectiveness in reducing harm and HIV transmission. Many, like Oleg Makaria, find solace and acceptance at Svitanok while grappling with displacement and loss, as millions have been forced to flee their homes since the conflict began. Social workers, such as Natalia Zelenina, continue to support vulnerable populations even after enduring personal hardship, including detention by separatist forces for carrying legally prescribed medication. The haven provided by Svitanok is vital for restoring dignity and hope to those often left behind in wartime.