Ihor (name changed) is a trans* man and former coordinator of a shelter for trans* people in Odesa. He knows well how vulnerable the trans* community is during the war. “We face double vulnerability,” he says. “On the one hand, most trans* people lack sufficient resources even for basic needs: food, medicine, warm clothing. On the other hand, it is even harder to access trans*-competent and safe assistance in wartime conditions. That’s why places like our shelter become real entry points for support.”
For several years, the Odesa shelter served as a space of support for trans* people forced to escape war and difficult life circumstances. In 2023–2024, the shelter team repeatedly turned to the VirusOFF emergency aid project, funded by ViiV Healthcare Positive Action — and always received help quickly and effectively.
“On behalf of the shelter’s residents, I want to thank you for your timely support,” Ihor says. “Thanks to the project, we received basic food supplies, essential medicines, and financial assistance to buy clothing, which was extremely important during the cold season.”
According to him, this aid has become not only material support for the trans* community, but also a symbol of care and stability. “It helped us sustain the shelter, gave us a sense of greater safety and the strength to overcome crisis. It motivates us to start life anew and face the challenges of today,” Ihor concludes.
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.