Blue Cross Ukraine works in one of the poorest areas of Mariupol and continues to provide shelter, food and support to the local community even during the war. Similarly, the Blue Cross organizations in neighboring countries are setting up their services to reach the Ukrainian refugees crossing the borders. Please support the Blue Crosses in the region to continue services especially in the homeless shelters, for kids and for young people to receive support at these difficult times.

Life skills shape the behavior of youth by giving them the skills and knowledge to make informed decisions about alcohol and drugs and associated risks, including the transmission of HIV/AIDs. This very innovative and high quality programme reaches the vulnerable youth of the Chadian society. Life skills lessons are taught through peer education, which is based on role modeling and the ability of young people to become leaders and agents of change through empowerment and support.

One in ten Danish children is negatively affected by parental alcohol consumption, and at least 122,000 Danish children grow up in families with outright abuse. The Blue Cross has two houses for children that offer care, counseling and treatment in an alcohol-free environment. They can spend time with their peers and seek support for the harm caused by their parents' addiction.

Addiction destroys families, children and community livelihood. The International Blue Cross works with 41 member organizations to reduce substance abuse, especially among youth, and improve alcohol policies to protect our youth. We see a world where children can grow up in safe, healthy families and live free from addiction. We also see a world where people already harmed by addiction have access to treatment.

There is a growing aging population in Finland. By 2060 every 4th person will be 65+. Research shows that 62% of the Finnish aging population uses alcohol and 8% of these abuse it. Exceessive alcohol use in the elderly leads to loneliness, accidents, mixing with medication, binge drinking and using alcohol as self medication. The Finnish Blue Ribbon has created groups to train professionals and offer peer support, advice and information to the aging population.

IBC wants to enable weekly self help groups in Africa in order to reach people who are at risk of drinking and support people to deal with their addiction. In most African locations there is no residential treatment available but IBC model reaches vulnerable people and enables them to take significant steps towards recovery and healthy life. We use 12-step model that is based on Finnish Blue Ribbon's Compass framework. We would warmly welcome your support for this very cost effective work!

Children are vulnerable when their parents drink. KIDS Support Groups are a place where children, affected by their parents' substance abuse are welcomed and get otientiation as a strategy of prevention and assistance to people in circumstances of social vulnerability and hazard. Through targeted training of KIDS Group leaders/facilitators, the Blue Cross Brazil is expanding its successful program of Self Help to reach beyond the substance abusers and provide much needed care for family members.