In summer 2023, Heartland Alliance International (HAI) was contacted by an organization documenting the humanitarian crisis in Eastern Ukraine stating there were thousands of survivors of torture without access to comprehensive services for their recovery and healing. HAI is working to adapt the Marjorie Kovler Center’s model to Ukraine, thereby enabling thousands of survivors of torture to access the services they need to recover in the immediate and long-term. 

Heartland Alliance International: Strengthening the Torture Treatment Network in Ukraine

The systematic use of torture by Russian forces in Ukraine is a humanitarian crisis that demands immediate and coordinated action. Thousands of Ukrainian civilians and Prisoners of War have suffered unimaginable physical and psychological abuse, with the true scale of victims likely far exceeding documented cases. The long-term impact of torture devastates not only individuals but entire communities, making the urgent provision of specialized, holistic support essential. Heartland Alliance International/Marjorie Kovler Center has conducted a critical mapping of Ukraine’s torture treatment network, identifying both strengths and critical gaps in survivor services. This report serves as a call to action for governments, organizations, and stakeholders to strengthen legal protections, improve access to comprehensive care, and secure sustainable funding for survivor support. The time to act is now—Ukraine’s future depends on how we respond to this crisis today. Report in English and Ukrainian