Anastasiia Varfolomieieva is the project manager of two ADRA Ukraine initiatives involving Japan: Japan Platform 4 (JPF4) and ADRA Japan Winterization. She also serves as the MPCA coordinator, overseeing the distribution of multipurpose cash assistance across various projects. Today, Anastasiia shares insights about activities supported by Japanese donors.

— Anastasiia, could you briefly introduce the Japan Platform 4 project? What are the purposes of the project?

— The “JPF4” is the fourth project supported by Japan Platform, an international humanitarian organization specializing in crisis response. Collaboration with this organization began at the beginning of the full-scale war. In previous phases of the project, we partnered with ADRA Slovakia and ADRA Japan to provide food kits and winterization support. The current phase of the “JPF4” project started in May of this year and is implemented solely by ADRA Ukraine, without Slovak partners, focusing on purchasing and distribution of humanitarian aid.

This project includes three main components:

Financial assistance;

In-kind assistance (food and hygiene kits, fuel briquettes);

Psychological support for beneficiaries.

— Could you tell us about the components in the details?

— Let’s start with in-kind assistance. Food and hygiene kits were distributed to communities with limited access to markets and banking services in Zaporizhzhia (Orikhivska community) and Kherson (Mylivska community) regions. Distribution took place in late July and early August. Additionally, 105 tons of fuel briquettes were provided to IDP centers in Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro cities.

Food kits included pasta, grains, canned meat and fish, as well as basic hygiene products like toothbrushes, toothpaste, and detergents. Post-distribution monitoring indicated that beneficiaries rated the kits highly.

Cash assistance was primarily provided to elderly people, IDPs, and individuals with disabilities from Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. In June and July, 660 beneficiaries received ₴10,800 each.

Psychological support is provided online, including a helpline and up to six individual sessions with psychologists. Since May, over 1,200 beneficiaries have received individual or group support. The number of sessions can be increased if needed.

— What is the role of ADRA Japan in the implementation of these projects?

— Japan Platform is the primary donor, and ADRA Japan acts as the Supporting Office, facilitating communication with the donor and securing new projects. As the implementing side, we are responsible for executing the projects.

— Can you tell us about the ADRA Japan Winterization project?

— The ADRA Japan Winterization project supports the people during the winter season, funded by ADRA Japan through its charitable contributions. The project includes the provision of fuel briquettes to IDP centers in the Dnipro region.

A key component is cash assistance. For example, in November–December, 310 beneficiaries from the Kharkiv region received ₴10,800 each. And this project has the purpose to increase this number up to 570 people.

— What special events are planned for children in the winter project?

— For Christmas, we will organize festive events for children in IDP centers and hospitals, including “superhero schools” – the schools for children with chronic illnesses. Our psychologists will hold ten Christmas events, and children will receive holiday gifts. This year’s gifts will include thermoses, lunchboxes, art supplies, and creative materials with a New Year theme.

— What is planned for the future?

— The project includes plans to expand psychological support, which will commence in 2025.