ESS

The Emergency Support System (ESS) is one of YAEF’s flagship protection initiatives designed to provide timely and holistic support to queer young persons who face discrimination, violence, or threats due to their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or sex characteristics (SOGIESC).

Through this system, YAEF offers rapid response assistance tailored to the individual needs of survivors. Support includes legal aid to pursue justice, medical care for those who have sustained injuries, temporary relocation or shelter for individuals in immediate danger, psychosocial support to aid emotional recovery, and the provision of nutritional packages and dignity kits to restore dignity and stability in times of crisis.

Between December 2024 and March 2025, the ESS directly supported 20 survivors of homophobic and transphobic violence across different regions of Ghana. These interventions provided life-saving relief to individuals who had been attacked, displaced, or abandoned because of their SOGIESC. Beyond immediate assistance, YAEF’s ESS also links survivors to long-term care pathways—helping them rebuild safety, confidence, and a sense of belonging within their communities.

At its core, the ESS reflects YAEF’s commitment to protecting the lives and wellbeing of queer youth by ensuring no one faces violence or discrimination alone. It stands as a vital lifeline and a model of community solidarity and resilience in the face of systemic marginalization.