Category: News

Continuity of treatment during relocation: Serhii’s story

When Serhii (name changed) began preparing to move from Ukraine to Poland, one of the most important issues for him was continuing opioid substitution therapy (OST). He had been enrolled in an OST programme in Ukraine and understood that moving to another country should not result in an interruption in treatment.

That is why he contacted Fundacja HelpNowHUB for support even before leaving Ukraine.

“I was worried not only about the move itself. I needed to understand which documents to take with me, what to do at the border, how to legalise my stay in Poland afterwards and, most importantly, how not to be left without treatment. It was difficult to figure all of this out on my own.”

A HelpNowHUB consultant supported Serhii from the preparation stage of his journey: she explained which documents he needed to collect and how to proceed when crossing the border so that, after arriving in Poland, he could obtain a PESEL number with UKR status. The support continued throughout every stage of his relocation.

After arriving in Poland, the next practical question arose — how to continue OST as quickly as possible. Obtaining a PESEL number took some time, as the information about the status recorded when crossing the border had to appear in the Polish system. The waiting period could take several working days.

“That gap was what worried me most. You are already in Poland, but you still do not have all your documents. And treatment cannot wait until all the formalities are completed.”

The HelpNowHUB team continued supporting Serhii in Poland: they helped him schedule the necessary appointment, accompanied him when he visited the relevant institution, and clarified in advance the possibility of enrolling him in an opioid substitution therapy programme before he received his PESEL number.

Eventually, all the necessary formalities were resolved. Serhii received a PESEL number with UKR status and was enrolled in an OST programme in Poland. An interruption in the support he needed was avoided.

“For me, the most important thing was knowing that I would not be left alone with this issue. I was supported from the moment I was still preparing my documents in Ukraine until everything had already been arranged here.”

Gradually, other aspects of his new life also began to fall into place. Serhii found a job, which should also provide him with health insurance. For the first month, while his insurance coverage is being arranged, a convenient OST schedule was agreed upon: instead of daily visits, he will attend the programme once a week.

Today, Serhii is legally residing in Poland, working, and continuously receiving the treatment he needs.

“When you move to another country, it feels like you have to deal with dozens of things at the same time: the border, documents, legalisation, treatment, work. Now everything has finally fallen into place. I have my documents, I have a job, and I am continuing my treatment. For me, that means I can finally move forward.”

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This publication was prepared by Fundacją HelpNow HUB within the framework of the project “From heart to heart” in partnership with Fundacja Step by Step and Fundacja Res Humanae, with financial support from the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

OST Poland

A new life in Poland: work, adaptation and continuity of treatment — Andrii’s story

“I knew about my status back in Ukraine. Here, only my wife knows about it. For me, this is medical information that should not determine how other people treat me,” says Andrii (name changed).

Andrii arrived in Poland with his wife after the start of the full-scale war. Kraków was their first city, but they were unable to stay there for long. The couple moved several more times, primarily because of difficulties finding affordable housing and stable work. Eventually, Andrii found a job as a welder on a construction site. He says the work is not easy, but today he is satisfied that he can support himself and his family and gradually build a life in a new country.

Andrii knew about his HIV status before moving, and once in Poland, continuing his treatment became one of the important issues. At first, he needed information about where to go and how to access the necessary medical care within an unfamiliar system. The Fundacja HelpNowHUB team helped him with this by providing the necessary guidance on continuing his treatment.

After his initial medical examination, Polish doctors made some adjustments to Andrii’s treatment regimen. “As I understand it, the standards or approaches to treatment here are slightly different. The local doctor made some changes to my regimen. I feel well, so I’m satisfied with the result.”

The language barrier gradually stopped being a problem as well. Andrii learned Polish mainly through everyday life and at work. Many Ukrainians work alongside him on the construction site, and at first they helped with translation and explained words he did not understand. His employer helped too. “He already speaks almost Ukrainian himself,” Andrii laughs. “So the influence goes both ways: we learn Polish, and they learn Ukrainian from us.”

Andrii does not tell either his colleagues or acquaintances about his HIV status. In Poland, he has not encountered situations in which he was forced to disclose this information. His wife remains the only person he has consciously chosen to tell about his status. “My wife needs to know — that is obvious to me. But I don’t tell anyone else. Even my mother and sister don’t know. I know my family, and I think they might judge me without even trying to understand first. So I don’t see any point in discussing it.”

After several moves and searches for housing and work, the couple’s life has finally become more stable. Andrii works, receives the treatment he needs, speaks Polish, and feels much more confident in a country that was completely unfamiliar to him just a few years ago. “I’m happy with everything now. I work, I receive treatment, and I feel well. And I’m very grateful that I can live and work here. I think that is the most important thing.”

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HIV Poland

“I just want to live my life”: Tetiana’s story

“When the war started, there was really no question of whether to leave or stay. We lived in a small town in the Sumy region, very close to the border. We simply had to quickly pack the essentials, documents, medicines — and leave,” says Tetiana (name changed).

She arrived in Poland with her child almost immediately after the start of the full-scale war. At that moment, the future was completely uncertain: a new country, an unfamiliar system, the need to find housing, while being responsible not only for herself but also for her child.

Tetiana is living with HIV and regularly takes antiretroviral therapy. Before leaving Ukraine, she managed to take a supply of medication with her. This later proved extremely important, as obtaining all the necessary documents in Poland took time.

“It was a good thing I had my medication with me. It took some time to sort out the documents and understand the system. My biggest concern was not to be left without treatment. When you arrive in a new country, at first you simply have no idea where to go or who to contact.”

During this period, Tetiana received support from volunteers, and when she needed help with continuing her treatment, she contacted Fundacja HelpNowHUB. The team helped her navigate the Polish system and provided the necessary information on where exactly to go to receive medical care and continue her ART.

“It was important for me that I didn’t have to search for everything on my own, without knowing where to start. I already knew which hospital to contact and what to do next. When there is so much uncertainty around you, this kind of practical help is very reassuring.”

Gradually, life became more predictable. Tetiana found housing, got a job, and obtained health insurance. She is learning Polish, occasionally attends meetings with other Ukrainians, and continues to take her treatment regularly. She describes her health as stable.

“I think I’ve gotten used to life here. I have a job, I have insurance, my child is with me, and I receive my treatment. I’m not planning to return for now. To be honest, there is practically nowhere to return to.”

Tetiana speaks calmly about her HIV status but considers it private information that she is under no obligation to share unless necessary. While still in Ukraine, she experienced negative attitudes from some relatives after her former husband disclosed her status to them. That is why today she decides for herself whom to tell and under what circumstances.

“I’m not hiding it because I’m ashamed. I simply don’t understand why people who have nothing to do with it should know about my status. I take my medication and look after my health. This is my medical information.”

In Poland, Tetiana does not feel constant pressure or any requirement to disclose her HIV status. Her workplace does not require any related medical certificates, and the issue has never arisen when renting accommodation. Outside healthcare settings, her HIV status has practically no relevance to her everyday life. Most of her interactions with Polish people today are through work, shops, everyday matters, and healthcare.

“When I buy food or clothes, when I work or rent a home, my HIV-positive status doesn’t change anything. I’m simply a mother who works, raises her child, and tries to live a normal life.”

During her time in Poland, Tetiana has gone from urgently leaving a border town with her child and a supply of medication in her suitcase to building a life that once again has a sense of stability and a familiar daily rhythm. At the beginning of this journey, it was particularly important for her not to be left alone with the challenge of continuing her treatment.

“At that time, I needed one very simple thing — to understand where to go so that I wouldn’t be left without treatment. HelpNowHUB helped me do that. After that, everything else was gradually resolved as well. I’m grateful that at that moment there were people by my side who knew how to help.”

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HIV Poland

“First, you need to learn to trust”: Marta’s story

“I don’t hide my HIV status from my parents. But no one else knows about it,” says Marta (name changed).

A year and a half ago, Marta moved to Poland. She had already started university in Ukraine, and after relocating she was able to continue her studies. She is now completing her first year at a Polish higher education institution.

Alongside her studies, Marta is learning Polish, gradually getting to know her new country, and trying to adapt to life far from home.

She has been aware of her HIV status for many years and says she has consciously chosen not to disclose it.

“Only my parents know. At the moment I don’t have a partner, so I don’t see any reason to tell anyone else. It’s my personal life and my decision.”

After moving to Poland, one of the first challenges she faced was understanding how the local healthcare system works.

That was when Marta contacted Fundacja HelpNowHUB.

“It was important for me to understand how to continue my treatment, where to go, and how the system works. Your team helped me find answers to questions that seemed very complicated at the time. When you find yourself in a new country, even simple information can become tremendous support.”

As time went on, Marta began using the Polish healthcare system. However, she found herself having to insist on receiving additional preventive examinations.

“In Ukraine, having a routine annual gynecological check-up was completely normal for me. Here, I waited almost three months for an appointment through the National Health Fund (NFZ), and then I was told, ‘But nothing hurts, does it? Why would you need any tests?’ I still don’t know whether this reflects the way the local healthcare system works or whether I was simply unlucky with that particular doctor.”

Despite this experience, Marta is not rushing to conclusions.

“My main goal right now is to complete my studies, learn the language, and find my place here. First, I simply want to get settled. There’s also one important thing I’ve learned: asking for help is completely normal. Sometimes all it takes is getting the right information at the right moment to stop being afraid. That’s exactly what happened to me. I’m truly grateful to the HelpNowHUB team for their support.”

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HIV Poland

AIDS 2026 discussion focused on maintaining continuity of HIV care for migrants and refugees during crises

On 27 July, during AIDS 2026 in Rio de Janeiro, a discussion titled “Building Community Networks for Sustained HIV Care Among Migrants and Refugees” took place at the Ukraine Resilience Booth.

The event was held as part of the work of the Regional Expert Group on Migration and Health in Eurasia (REG). The discussion was moderated by Daniel Kashnitsky and Mari Chokheli.

The central question of the session was highly practical: how can we ensure that people who are forced to move because of war, crisis, persecution or economic instability do not lose access to HIV treatment, prevention, information and support?

For people living with HIV or people with a higher likelihood of acquiring HIV, migration often means much more than moving to another country. It means a new health system, a different language, unclear rules, documents, fear of stigma, lack of money, loss of trusted contacts and the risk of being left alone with questions that directly affect their health.

This is why continuity of HIV care in the context of migration cannot be built around a health facility alone. It requires a network: people, organisations, services, counsellors, communities and clear referral pathways that help a person avoid getting lost between systems.

Yulia Golub, Coordinator of the HelpNow Service at HelpNowHUB Foundation and IAS HIV Prevention Ambassador, took part in the discussion. In her remarks, she spoke about the experience of HelpNowHUB — an initiative that emerged as an emergency response to the full-scale war against Ukraine and later became an independent foundation supporting people on the move.

“For a person in migration, HIV care is not one service in one place. It is a pathway: information, trust, documents, referrals, language support and continued accompaniment. If even one part of this pathway disappears, a person may fall out of treatment or prevention,” said Yulia.

According to her, the war only made more visible what had already existed before: health systems often remain fragmented, difficult to navigate and not always ready to respond to the needs of people moving across countries.

For Ukrainians who have found themselves in other countries because of the war, access to HIV care often starts not with a medical protocol, but with very simple and at the same time very difficult questions: where to go, whether documents will be accepted, how to explain one’s status in another language, whether confidentiality will be protected, whether treatment can be accessed without judgement, and whether there is someone nearby who can help navigate this path.

This is where communities play a key role.

“Community networks are not an add-on to the system. For many migrants and refugees, they are the first real pathway back to care. A person often does not start with a doctor or a public service. They start with someone they can trust,” Yulia emphasised.

Participants stressed that the resilience of HIV care during crises depends not only on the availability of medicines, but also on whether there are functioning mechanisms of cooperation between countries and organisations. This includes clear referrals, accessible information in several languages, peer counsellor support, sustainable partnerships, flexible services and the meaningful involvement of communities in decision-making.

“The crisis has shown that continuity of HIV care is sustained not only by protocols. It is sustained by trust between people, by communities that do not let a person disappear at the moment of movement, and by community organisations such as HelpNowHUB, which allow care to move together with the person,” said Yulia.

HelpNow

“After an emergency caesarean section, I had to prove that I was entitled to free healthcare”: Hanna’s story

“The hardest part wasn’t giving birth. The hardest part was having to prove to the authorities, after surgery, that I was entitled to medical care,” says Hanna (name changed).

Hanna is 28 years old. She moved to Poland before the full-scale war began, studied there, speaks Polish fluently, and worked for a local non-governmental organization. When she found out she was pregnant, she expected her life to change in only one way—she was preparing to become a mother.

Shortly after informing her employer about her pregnancy, however, she lost her job.

To ensure she would retain access to free healthcare, Hanna registered with the local Employment Office on the recommendation of consultants. This allowed her to maintain public health insurance throughout her pregnancy.

“I carefully followed every requirement. I regularly submitted medical certificates, kept the Employment Office informed about my pregnancy, and never missed an appointment. The system clearly showed my expected due date and all my medical documentation,” Hanna recalls.

Toward the end of her pregnancy, everything changed.

Two weeks before her expected due date, she was admitted to hospital. She remained under constant medical supervision because her pregnancy required inpatient care.

During that time, she was scheduled to attend a mandatory appointment at the Employment Office.

Obviously, she was physically unable to be there.

“I still don’t understand the logic behind this system. The staff could see my records, they knew how far along I was, and they knew there were only two weeks left until my due date. Isn’t it obvious that a woman at this stage of pregnancy may already be in hospital? Hospitalization during the third trimester is not unusual,” she says.

Because she failed to attend the appointment, Hanna was automatically removed from the Employment Office’s register.

As a result, she also lost her public health insurance.

A few days later, complications arose during labour. Initially, doctors planned a natural birth, but the situation changed rapidly, and an emergency Caesarean section became necessary.

After giving birth, Hanna faced another shock.

Since her health insurance had been terminated, she received a hospital bill covering the costs of surgery, anaesthesia, medications, and medical care.

“At that moment, money wasn’t even on my mind. I had just undergone emergency surgery, and my newborn baby was beside me. Suddenly, I was expected to prove that I had even been entitled to give birth free of charge.”

The hospital showed understanding and agreed to discharge Hanna and her baby without immediate payment, essentially trusting that the issue would be resolved.

However, instead of recovering from major surgery and caring for her newborn, Hanna had to deal with administrative procedures.

She was required to restore her registration with the Employment Office, explain why she had missed the appointment, collect supporting documents, and prove that she had been unable to attend because she had been hospitalized.

“After a Caesarean section, every movement is painful. Instead of resting, I was going from one public office to another, explaining things that should have been obvious and worrying whether I would have to pay for my treatment myself.”

Only later, with the support of the Fundacja HelpNowHUB team, was the situation resolved and the issue of payment for her medical care settled.

In the end, the story concluded without financial loss.

Nevertheless, Hanna believes she was much more fortunate than many other Ukrainian women.

“I speak Polish, I understand how the system works, and I’m not afraid to stand up for my rights. My mother was also there to stay with my baby while I dealt with all the paperwork. But not every woman has that kind of support.”

According to Hanna, this case exposes one of the most serious gaps in the system.

“After giving birth—especially after an emergency Caesarean section—a woman should be recovering and caring for her baby. She shouldn’t have to convince government officials that she really was in hospital and therefore couldn’t attend an appointment. The system should protect people in situations like this, not create additional barriers.”

Hanna’s story demonstrates that even someone who speaks the language, understands how public institutions work, and has family support can still face administrative decisions that jeopardize access to healthcare.

For many Ukrainian women who do not speak Polish, are unfamiliar with administrative procedures, or have no relatives nearby, a similar situation could have far more serious consequences.

That is why timely information, navigation through administrative systems, and individualized support remain essential for people rebuilding their lives in a new country.

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Poland

“The most important thing is knowing where to turn”: Dmytro’s Story

“When you move to a new city, even ordinary things can suddenly become a challenge. For me, the most important thing was making sure my treatment wasn’t interrupted,” says Dmytro (name changed).

Dmytro is living with HIV and receives antiretroviral therapy (ART). He is also enrolled in opioid substitution therapy (OST). After moving to Kyiv from another Ukrainian city, he faced a challenge familiar to many people in similar circumstances: where to continue his treatment and how to quickly find the right healthcare providers.

“I didn’t know where exactly to go. I had all my medical records and discharge documents with me, but I had no idea where to start or which healthcare facilities provided these services in Kyiv,” Dmytro explains.

During one of his medical appointments, a physician who had previously recommended the service to other patients suggested that he contact HelpNow.

“She told me they would help me find the right contacts and guide me through the process. I submitted my request and received a response very quickly.”

The HelpNow team promptly provided Dmytro with up-to-date information about healthcare facilities where he could continue both his antiretroviral therapy and opioid substitution therapy, while also explaining the next steps.

“I already had all the necessary medical documents with me, so now I’m arranging my registration and enrolling for care. The most important thing is that I now know where to go and what to do next,” he says.

For Dmytro, this consultation became much more than an answer to his questions—it helped him quickly regain confidence after relocating.

“Sometimes all you need is someone to point you in the right direction. It saves time, reduces stress, and helps ensure that treatment continues without interruption. I am very grateful to the HelpNowHUB team for their prompt assistance and support.”

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HelpNow Ukraine

“I survived so I could tell others: there is a way out.” Lesia’s story from Germany

“When I was diagnosed, it felt as if my life was over. Today, I want people to know: even after the hardest trials, it is possible to live, dream and build a new life,” says Lesia.

Her story began long before the full-scale war. After a difficult divorce, Lesia became seriously ill. She had a constant fever, rashes and weakness. A doctor advised her to get tested for HIV. “I never imagined this could have anything to do with me. When I received the result, I simply did not understand what to do next. I was completely emotionally devastated.”

In 2019, she was registered at the Kyiv City AIDS Centre (Hospital No. 5) and immediately started antiretroviral therapy.

It was then that people appeared beside her who quite literally saved her.

“I was not left alone. Psychologist Tetiana, civil society organisations such as Kyianka, and people who had already gone through this journey supported me every day. Without them, I do not know whether I would have coped.”

But the most difficult trials were still ahead. Because HIV was diagnosed late, her immune system had almost stopped working. Lesia developed tuberculosis, which affected not only her lungs but also her brain.

“When I was hospitalised, the doctors said there was almost no chance. At one point, my CD4 cell count had dropped to just four. I lost my memory and, after treatment, I literally had to learn to write again. But I survived.”

A year and a half of treatment, dozens of pills every day, injections and long rehabilitation – she was able to get through all of this thanks to discipline and the support of the people around her.

“I always say: therapy saves lives. But it is just as important to have people beside you who will not let you give up.”

On 22 May 2023, Lesia was forced to leave Ukraine.

She reached Lviv thanks to the volunteer initiative Prykhystok, which helped Ukrainians evacuate and find safe transport to European countries. From there, she travelled to Germany.

“It was frightening. You leave your whole life behind and do not know what tomorrow will bring.”

Fortunately, her therapy was with her. Before leaving, Lesia informed her doctors in Ukraine, received a supply of medication, and later the Ukrainian clinic helped prepare all the necessary medical documentation for her doctors in Germany.

“This made my registration with the healthcare system much easier. I advise everyone: if you can, be sure to take your medical documents with you or ask your doctor to prepare an official medical extract.”

In Stuttgart, Lesia found a clinic specialising in treatment for people living with HIV. “When I came there for the first time, they asked me only one thing first: ‘Do you still have your therapy?’ They immediately focused on making sure my treatment would not be interrupted.”

The doctors carefully reviewed her medical history, requested documents from Ukraine, changed her treatment regimen and began monitoring her results regularly. “For the first time, I felt that the doctors were genuinely happy about my progress. When my viral load became undetectable, my doctor celebrated with me. That kind of attitude is very supportive.”

Lesia also contacted AIDS-Hilfe Stuttgart, where she received information and support. “I was welcomed very warmly. I realised that I was not alone. This is very important when you are just starting life in a new country.”

Despite the successful continuation of therapy, adaptation was not easy. During the first months, Lesia lived in temporary accommodation centres, attended language courses, looked for work and tried to navigate a new system of life. “I thought I could manage on my own. But one day I realised I could not do it anymore. Constant stress, worries about my mother, a new country, another language – it all kept building up.”

She went through severe depression. “I did not want to leave the house. I thought it was just tiredness. Only later did I realise it was real depression.” Finding a psychotherapist in Germany turned out to be difficult – she had to wait for months. Only after a long search did Lesia find a specialist, start treatment and begin taking antidepressants. “I want to tell other people: do not be afraid to seek psychological help. Antidepressants are medicines just like medication for high blood pressure. If you need them, there is no reason to be ashamed.”

Today, Lesia lives in her own rented apartment in Stuttgart. She works in elderly care, continues to learn German, does sports and travels around the country a lot.

“I really wanted to prove to myself, first of all, that life had not ended. Now I work, meet people, study and discover Germany for myself.”

She also gladly helps other Ukrainians who are just arriving in Stuttgart, sharing contacts of doctors, interpreters, clinics and civil society organisations. “If I can help someone at least with advice, it means that everything I went through was not in vain.”

“Do not be afraid to ask for help. Do not lose faith in yourself, even if right now it feels as if nothing is working out. Learn the language, travel, meet people, look for what brings you joy. And remember: even the darkest period of life comes to an end. I know this for sure, because I have been through it myself.”

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Germany HIV

“We Just Want to Be Ourselves”: Nika’s Story from Zaporizhzhia

“I was always taught to be like everyone else. Study hard, don’t argue, don’t draw attention to yourself. Finish school, get a degree, find a job, start a family. Everything was supposed to follow the right path,” says Nika (name changed).

We talked to Nika during Baltic Pride, which took place across the Baltic capitals this June. Today, she lives in Tallinn with her partner. But her story began far from Estonia, in the industrial city of Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine.

“I grew up in an ordinary working family. My parents worked hard and wanted me to have a stable future. I was an excellent student, always trying to meet expectations and do everything right.”

At the same time, even as a teenager, Nika understood that her feelings were different from those of many of her classmates.

“When I was in high school, a girl transferred to our class from another school. We became friends very quickly. We had so much in common and could talk for hours. Little by little, I realized that what I felt for her was more than friendship.”

But she never told her.

“At the time, it felt impossible. I was afraid of being judged, laughed at, or losing her friendship. So I stayed silent.”

A year later, the girl transferred to another school again and moved to a different part of the city. They saw each other less and less, and eventually lost contact.

“It hurt a lot. But I decided to focus on my studies. University was ahead of me, and I thought it was time to move on.”

Life, however, had other plans.

“One day I walked into a lecture hall. There were several student groups attending the same class. And there she was. The same girl. I couldn’t believe it. We had both ended up at the same university.”

This time, Nika decided not to remain silent.

“At some point, I found the courage to tell her how I felt. I still remember how nervous I was. My heart was racing. But she didn’t reject me. She didn’t laugh. She didn’t tell me that something was wrong with me. As it turned out, she felt the same way.”

Their relationship began there.

Together they graduated from university and started making plans for the future. They dreamed of moving to Kyiv, building careers and creating a life together.

“We were ready to start a new chapter. Then the full-scale war began.”

Like millions of Ukrainians, they had to rethink everything.

“There was another challenge as well. My mother accepted the fact that I had a partner, not just a ‘friend.’ That meant a lot to me. But my partner’s parents could not accept our relationship. It became very difficult for both of us.”

Eventually, the couple decided to move to Estonia.

Today, when Nika talks about life in Tallinn, there is a sense of calmness and security in her voice.

“Here, we can be ourselves. It sounds simple, but it means everything. We can hold hands in public without constantly looking over our shoulders. We can attend community events, go to Pride, and simply exist as a couple.”

For Nika, equality is not an abstract political issue. It is something deeply personal.

“People often think that LGBTIQ+ rights are about politics. For me, they are about everyday life. About not having to lie. About not having to invent stories. About being able to say who you love without fear.”

Despite everything, Ukraine remains home.

“Do we want to return? Absolutely. Our friends are there. Our memories are there. Our city is there. But I would like to return to a country where our family is protected not only by understanding from some people, but also by the law.”

Today, Nika and her partner continue to build their lives in Estonia. They work, support one another, and dream about a future where nobody has to choose between home and the freedom to be themselves.

“We are not asking for anything extraordinary. We simply want the same things as everyone else — the chance to love, to live openly, and to build our future together.”

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Estonia HelpNow LGBTIQ+ Ukraine

HelpNowHUB presented its experience supporting Ukrainians at a high-level RADIAN event in Geneva

On 21 May 2026, a high-level event, “Journeys of Resilience: Stories shaping the HIV response in Eastern Europe and Central Asia,” took place in Geneva as part of the World Health Assembly. The event was organized by Gilead Sciences and the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

The event marked the launch of the RADIAN Impact Report, which summarizes five years of work by the RADIAN partnership in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The gathering brought together global health representatives, donors, policymakers, civil society leaders, partner organizations, and changemakers whose work is helping to transform approaches to HIV prevention, treatment, and support for people affected by HIV.RADIAN, a partnership between Gilead Sciences and the Elton John AIDS Foundation, has been supporting local solutions since 2019 — helping to overcome barriers to HIV services, strengthen the role of communities, and drive sustainable change in health systems. According to the presented Impact Report, over the first five years of RADIAN support, nearly 350,000 people in the region accessed HIV-related services, more than 188,000 people received HIV testing, and over 37,000 people living with HIV initiated or re-initiated antiretroviral therapy.Among the invited RADIAN Changemakers was Yulia Golub, HelpNow Service Coordinator at HelpNowHUB Foundation Poland. In her remarks, she presented the experience of HelpNowHUB Foundation and its partners — Step by Step Foundation and Res Humanae Foundation — in supporting Ukrainians forcibly displaced by the war, including people living with HIV and representatives of key communities.Special attention was given to the fact that, for people crossing borders in the context of war, continuity of treatment and access to support does not happen automatically. It depends on trust, safe navigation, clear information, peer support, and partnerships that can respond quickly to people’s real needs.“It is a great honor for me to be part of this event and to speak on behalf of HelpNowHUB Foundation and our partners. Our work began as an emergency response to the war, but today it is no longer only about crisis support. It is about a sustainable, community-led pathway back to treatment, safety, trust, and hope. RADIAN helped make this work not only possible in a moment of emergency, but also more sustainable over time — strengthening support for people who too often remain invisible to formal systems,” said Yulia.In her speech, Yulia emphasized that HelpNowHUB Foundation was founded by Ukrainian women in migration from key communities after the start of the full-scale war. The organization’s work grew out of the HelpNow service, created by the Alliance for Public Health as an emergency response in the first months of the war, when thousands of Ukrainians had to rebuild access to safety, information, and HIV services outside their country.Since the start of the project, with RADIAN support, HelpNowHUB and its partners have responded to 2,807 requestsfrom more than 850 people, strengthened peer navigation, and built safer referral pathways from Ukraine to Poland and across the world — helping ensure that people do not lose access to treatment at the moment of greatest vulnerability.The launch of the RADIAN Impact Report was not only an opportunity to recognize the progress achieved, but also an important reminder: progress in the region remains fragile, and a sustainable HIV response requires continued investment in local leadership, peer support, cross-border approaches, and services that remain close to the people most affected by the epidemic.

HelpNow HIV