Everyone can be a hero: the humanitarian response in war-torn Ukraine

The full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 upended the lives of millions of people in Ukraine.  As the humanitarian needs have grown for more than 17 million people countrywide, Ukrainian non-governmental organizations' (NGOs) have stepped up their efforts to reach and support the most vulnerable people impacted by this war.
When Anna Tymofeeva joined Proliska in 2017, she was based on the front line in Donetska Oblast providing critical protection services, food and essential items. During this period, Proliska was the only NGO working in the region. Now, she is dedicated to helping people during the current crisis.
“Our team provides support to the local population and communities along the frontline and in the newly regained territories, especially for those settlements that were affected by heavy shelling. We provide legal counselling, transportation, humanitarian aid and psychological support,” – explains Anna.

Reflecting on the past 8 years, Anna notes that the situation for humanitarian workers has changed considerably. Aside from the enormous humanitarian needs, the risk to humanitarian workers in delivering aid has increased.  When reviewing the needs, destroyed infrastructure, constant shelling and other hostilities are factored into implementation plans.
“Proliska workers take all possible steps to deliver life-saving humanitarian aid. However, there are some things that are beyond our control, and can hinder delivery- for example, destroyed roads or unpredictable hostilities,” Anna explains. 
One of many areas, now receiving support from Proliska is Olexandrivka village in Donetska oblast, a small hamlet, located in a scenic colourful part of Lyman community. More than 700 people lived here before the war and only six stayed behind after 24 February because either they didn’t want to or couldn’t leave their homes.  The village has been destroyed with 100% of residential housing either utterly ruined or very badly damaged. Currently Proliska is the only organization providing non-food items for winter, items like warm clothes, mattresses, pillows, thermal blankets and hygiene kits. To shield families from the wind and the rain, they are providing construction materials for locals whose homes have been damaged and who stayed behind.

“War is always a disaster, which can break people’s lives. I often find myself in settlements which have practically ceased to exist, where only a small group of people remain. Olexandrivka is one of those villages near the frontline, affected the most. And these six people who remained are in need of our support. It is very important to let people feel that they are not abandoned, that they are not alone, and we care about them”. 
Proliska continues to provide various forms of assistance to Olexandrivka, including warm clothes, kitchen appliances, mats, pillows, blankets and psychosocial support.
“Human life and dignity are not just words for me. It is very important to identify all the people in need in the most abandoned places. After spending several years volunteering, this work has already become a profession to me. I am glad to support people on a professional level. When I see the grateful eyes of those people, who went through such hell, but were allowed to return to normal life, I am motivated to do even more”.