Following the war in Ukraine, Iryna Harifulina, at 62, was forced to leave her city of Kramatorsk and move to Dnipro. She is one of the 5.1 million internally displaced persons. Women make up 58% of the displaced population and face challenges in adapting to new environments.

The VONA Career Hubs project, created by UNFPA, helps women develop job skills and financial literacy. Iryna Harifulina started a jewelry business through this program, which not only provided her with new skills and income but also connected her with other women, creating a community.

Ukraine has the largest proportion of older people affected by conflict, with a quarter of the population being over 60. UNFPA programs, such as VONA Hubs, respond to these demographic shifts and help older people maximize their skills and resilience.

VONA Centres and other UNFPA initiatives provide essential support to women and vulnerable groups, contributing to the formation of a critical safety net that promotes long-term stability and empowerment.

Source https://eeca.unfpa.org/en/news/support-centres-help-weave-together-fabric-new-communities-during-time-war