Integrated Health and Protection response for vulnerable, conflict-affected populations in Zaporizhia, Khersonska, Mykolaivska, and south Dnipropetrovska oblasts. ltpgtMedical Teams International (MTI) seeks to reduce excess morbidity and mortality for vulnerable, conflict-affected populations in Ukraine by increasing access to primary health care and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) with integrated protection interventions in Khersonksa, Mykolaivska, Zaporizhzhia and southern Dnipropetrovska oblasts directly for 42,293 people and indirectly for 48,000 people. Currently, MTI addresses integrated health and protection needs via mobile medical units (MMUs), MHPSS, and community engagement in areas predominantly close to the frontline in Khersonska and Mykolaivska oblasts, and areas with vulnerable populations impacted by conflict in south Dnpiropetrovska oblast. These interventions are focused on areas identified under the HNRP 2024 as severe, extreme and catastrophic levels of severity. For this project, MTI intends to continue addressing needs in these areas with high levels of severity, expand the activities of MTI's local partner in Khersonska, and expand MTI’s Health and MHPSS activities into Zaporizhzhia in Zaporizkyi and Polohivskyi raions. ltbrgtltbrgtlt/pgtltpgtMTI works with 100% Life as a local partner to provide health services to areas within 30km of the frontline in Khersonska oblast via MMUs. For this project, 100% Life plans to expand their reach in the areas close to the frontline through providing access to quality life-saving health care to the most vulnerable populations and communities affected by the conflict, MHPSS services, comprehensive protection and care for people with disabilities (PWD), medical/assistive devices for PWD and chronically ill persons, training for local social workers, caregivers, activists and volunteers to ensure the health and recovery for PWD activities. ltbrgtltbrgtlt/pgtltpgtMTI has strong security rules and policies to ensure safe project implementation. In addition to two years of working experience in Ukraine, Safety and Security Risk Assessments were conducted for the Khersonska, Mykolaivska, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk oblast. Each part of the project implementation will be carefully observed by Security Managers and Field Coordinators, and mitigating measures are put in place to ensure the safety and security of MTI staff and partners througout the project.lt/pgtltpgtltbrgtThe aim of MTI's work is to address gaps in the local health system due to the ongoing conflict and strengthen the system's capacity. Therefore, field teams are Ukrainian and capacity building of staff and local staff is integrated throughout the workplan. The service package will include MHPSS, non-communicable diseases (NCD), sexual reproductive health (SRH), and referrals to specialized services. Other healthcare services will be provided based on needs identified through collaboration with the National Health system and iterative community feedback.lt/pgtltpgt ltbrgtThe MMU will also include a psychologist for MHPSS and protection awareness. Community-based interventions will include community health volunteers (CHVs) who will be trained and supported to provide risk communication, first aid, lay psychosocial support, awareness raising in both health and protection topics, and facilitate referrals to specialized healthcare and protection services.  MHPSS teams will also provides trainings for health care workers, local CSOs, local volunteers, and social welfare departments who provide support to persons affected by the conflict in the targeted areas. lt/pgt   ltpgtIn this way, MTI will integrate health and protection components, implementing general protection, gender-based violence (GBV) and child protection (CP) interventions through MHPSS and risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) activities.ltbrgtlt/pgt