Protect those who protect us
Today, the head of the Ministry of Veterans' Affairs of Ukraine, Yuliia Laputina, met with Edward Marshall, the founder of the "After Service" Charitable Foundation, and Halyna Sernivka, the General Director of the Foundation.
Edward is a former US civil servant and a member of the advisory board of the American Warrior Partnership (AWP), the founder of the humanitarian mission HelpUkraine22. The veteran fund "After Service" was created with the assistance of AWP and HelpUkraine22.
Since the sphere of interests of the Fund - Ukrainian military and veterans - closely overlaps with the sphere of activity of the Ministry of Veterans' Affairs of Ukraine, today's meeting determined the points of cooperation of both institutions in the sphere of veteran policy in Ukraine.
As Yuliia Laputina pointed out, the key issue facing military personnel when they transition to civilian life – is quick, painless and effective adaptation.
It is extremely important to create a veteran community and gather around it professional organizations, businesses, foundations, government agencies and the volunteer movement that deal with veterans' issues, to identify their needs in civilian life and provide qualified support and necessary assistance to all who need such assistance.
As someone who previously served in the government and supported veterans' causes for many years, Edward Marshall knows firsthand that transitioning back to civilian life isn't easy.
It is often difficult for them to ask for help, there is a lack of information and knowledge on how to use certain resources that are intended for their support. That is why veterans are often left alone with their problems. This, in turn, leads to difficulties in relationships with family and friends, to depressive states, etc.
Veterans face health problems, unhealed injuries and their consequences, and the need for rehabilitation or prosthetics; with psychological problems; with the need for advanced training and the acquisition of relevant professional experience.
"Ukrainian soldiers and veterans deserve decent work, quality training or rehabilitation, comprehensive readaptation to civilian life," says Halyna Sernivka, also a veteran of the russian-Ukrainian war. And she adds: the specificity of their Foundation is an individual approach to each specific veteran. Halyna also thanked the head of the Ministry of Veterans' Affairs of Ukraine, Yuliia Laputina, for her openness and active position in protection of veterans` rights.
At the end of the meeting, both sides agreed to create a road map of joint actions for the comprehensive protection of those who today protect the country from the enemy as soon as possible.
