Vasyl Malikov, emergency aid project consultant for VirusOFF, on life and work under shelling, the power of the “peer-to-peer” approach, and humanitarian aid as a point of support.
Almost every day, Kharkiv shudders from explosions. The sound of sirens has become the background of life, and air raid alerts — a routine. Here, the war is felt in everything: in shattered buildings, in the tense silence of the metro, in the tired faces of people. Yet even under such conditions, some choose to stay — not just to live, but to work for their community.
Vasyl Malikov is an activist, lecturer at the National Technical University “Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute,” and a consultant for the VirusOFF emergency aid project funded by ViiV Healthcare Positive Action in Kharkiv. He helps LGBTIQ+ people, those living with HIV, and members of other key populations. In this interview, Vasyl shares why he didn’t leave his hometown, how humanitarian aid saves lives, and why it should remain a priority for donors even years after the start of the full-scale invasion.
Why did you decide to stay in Kharkiv despite the constant danger?
— This is my hometown. I was born here and, except for two months of evacuation to Dnipro in the spring of 2022, I have lived here for over 39 years. Perhaps it is even a privilege — to be able to stay home thanks to those who defended and continue to defend Kharkiv. When the city is not just a dot on the map but your home, it becomes an additional source of strength. It gives you the power not only to live but also to act. It is important for me to work with the community of my native Kharkiv.
You began as an activist in HIV prevention. How did the humanitarian focus and the VirusOFF emergency aid project become part of your work?
— I’ve been involved in activism since 2017–2018, and since 2019 I have provided HIV prevention services for gay and bisexual men. After February 24, 2022, humanitarian work was added through the VirusOFF emergency aid project. It was an automatic decision: activists from different key groups simply started helping without even discussing it. At that time, the city was in collapse — people needed food, water, medicine, basic hygiene products. My colleagues and I immediately began working through our contacts and communities. This allowed us to quickly find people and deliver aid where it was needed most.
How does the “peer-to-peer” principle work in your activities, especially during the war?
— It’s the most effective approach when working with key populations. We have long been in contact with people, so there’s no question of “where to find LGBTIQ+ people.” We know how to talk, what matters to them, and what might trigger distrust or withdrawal. The main thing is trust. From HIV prevention work, we have carried forward openness and flexibility: a person can reach out at any time, and we will help. In the humanitarian sphere, this means low-threshold services, removing as many barriers as possible — bureaucracy, rigid schedules, fear, stigma.
As part of one of our projects, I have conducted training for other humanitarian organizations to help them better understand the needs of LGBTIQ+ people. We explained that this group is not “special” in a negative sense, but has specific barriers and needs that must be considered.
What barriers most often prevent people from receiving aid?
— One of the most common is complicated procedures: forms, queues, registration “at a set time.” When a person is in crisis, they don’t have the strength or time to go through bureaucratic quests. Another issue is when humanitarian aid is only available at certain hours, and if you don’t make it in time, you get nothing. We try to avoid this.
What do people need most now, and how does it differ from 2022?
— In the first months of the war, people needed everything: food, hygiene products, medicine, even pet food. Logistics were barely functioning. Now essential goods are more accessible, but new needs have emerged: power banks, means for autonomous power supply, medication for chronic illnesses, and mental health support. People live in constant stress. Sleep is interrupted by sirens and explosions, fatigue accumulates. Sometimes even simple vitamins or sedatives can significantly improve a person’s condition.
Have there been cases when, without your help, someone might not have survived?
— Yes. I especially remember stories of elderly gay and bisexual men living on meager pensions and young people just starting independent life. They had no money even for the most basic needs.
Another important aspect is the “one-stop shop” effect. A person comes for clothes or food and also receives information on HIV prevention, contacts of a psychologist, a shelter, and paralegal support. This lowers barriers and helps reach those who would otherwise not seek such services.
Given the current situation in Ukraine, what would you like to say to international partners and donors?
— While the humanitarian crisis caused by the war continues, humanitarian interventions are still needed. When the volume of support decreases, it is immediately felt. Key populations are part of society. If they cannot meet their basic needs, they postpone addressing health, psychological support, and HIV testing. Humanitarian aid enables them to focus on these aspects, and society as a whole to respond more effectively to epidemics and crises.
This material was prepared as part of the VirusOFF emergency aid project funded by ViiV Healthcare Positive Action. The project has been active since March 2022 and provides emergency humanitarian and social support through the VirusOFF platform to members of key populations affected by HIV, as well as to local organizations. To date, over 1,500 individuals from these communities have received assistance through the project.