**UK Announces Social Recovery Aid Package for Ukraine**
The UK government has announced a new social recovery initiative in Ukraine called the SPIRIT program. The program will receive 25 million pounds (around $31 million) in funding.
This news was shared during Foreign Secretary David Lammy‘s visit to Kyiv, where he met with Ukrainian officials and representatives from UNICEF and the World Bank. The statement said that the support will help Ukraine meet the needs of its people and speed up its path towards joining the European Union.
**What Does SPIRIT Do?**
The SPIRIT program has three main goals:
* Expand access to quality social services, helping at least 10,000 families in ten regions.
* Create an Office of Social Recovery within Ukraine’s Ministry of Social Policy to coordinate reforms and international partnerships.
* Launch initiatives in health, economy, and social services to support vulnerable groups like women, children, people with disabilities, the elderly, and veterans.
**Supporting Vulnerable Groups**
The program will also provide small grants and training for 100 civil society and local community representatives. This is aimed at expanding service delivery and creating a sustainable social support system.
Martin Harris, UK Ambassador to Ukraine, said: “Investing in Ukraine’s social systems is an investment in Ukraine’s people – and we know that Ukraine’s people are its greatest resource.”