Social work-led support for Ukraine
By Gemma Raw
A leading social work academic has launched an international network to support those impacted by the war in Ukraine and is calling for social workers to volunteer their support.
'Social Work for Peace' aims to provide support to social work practitioners and community professionals who are still living and working in the war-torn country, as well as Ukrainians who have been forced to flee to safety. It was created by Lena Dominelli, Professor of Social Work at the University of Stirling, a world-renowned expert in disaster intervention and humanitarian aid. Professor Dominelli chairs the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW) Committee on Disaster Interventions, Climate Change and Sustainability and the Special Interest Group on Disaster Interventions for the British Association of Social Workers (BASW).
"Despite the overwhelming hardship, suffering and grief caused by the war, Ukrainians remain strong and committed to defending their country," Professor Dominelli told My Social Work News. "Social workers strive to meet basic needs, re-establish livelihoods and communities, restore people's human rights, secure social and environmental justice, and build peace while enduring curfews and continuous Russian bombing."
Practical aid and support activities
Supported by BASW and other organisations, Social Work for Peace is part of the Virtual Helpline for Disasters that social workers have activated in response to different types of natural disasters since 2010.
In the UK, Social Work for Peace will work with other organisations to offer practical aid at local, national and international level. With regard to responding to the needs of refugees, this will include:
inter-agency working with medical practitioners and schools
supporting local communities
providing training within an inclusive framework that values equality and diversity
helping refugees to collect their stories and share them with others through social media, artistic and other means of communication to ensure that their experiences are not lost
engaging local communities in facing the consequences of the war and their impact, both locally and nationally.
Following discussions with professionals on the ground delivering services in Ukraine, including those continuing to operate in vital social care roles, Social Work for Peace has identified a number of other key priorities. These include encouraging donations through organisations such as the Ukrainian and British Red Cross to support the purchase of food, clothing, water, shelter, medicines such as insulin, painkillers, oxygen and power generators.
How social workers can get involved
Qualified and registered social workers are being encouraged to sign up as volunteers with Social Work for Peace. To apply or find out more email lena.dominelli@stir.ac.uk.
