Hope amid war: The human face of Ukraine’s crisis

By Halyna Bilak and Hillol Sobhan June 20, 2025

A young Ukrainian child in a pink Minnie Mouse jacket is in a close embrace with an adult, presumably her mother, who is wearing a black puffer jacket and has her eyes closed. The child looks up with a serene expression, while the mother’s face appears loving and protective. A CARE logo is partly visible in the background.

10 million people have fled their homes across Ukraine, with over 4 million internally displaced and the rest seeking refuge in neighboring countries. Photo: Laura Noel/CARE

“Before the war, life was normal — with schools, markets, healthcare, and jobs. Now, it’s all gone,” says Tetiana, who was forced to leave her home in Ukraine.

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Tetiana, 36, is from Avdiivka, a vibrant city in eastern Ukraine. She worked at the local coal-based fuel plant, often called the coke plant.  Since 2014, Avdiivka has been a key frontline city, and the full-scale invasion in February 2022 caused severe damage there and in other parts of the country.

Across Ukraine, the conflict has claimed more than 13,000 lives and displaced over 4 million people inside Ukraine. The war’s damage has cost the country about $524 billion.

“February 2022 split our lives into ‘before’ and ‘after,’” says Tetiana. “At first, we couldn’t believe what was happening. We were used to shelling, but when we had to leave our home, that’s when the pain became real.”

Life inside a recreational center

An Ukrainian woman smiles while holding a large cat with folded ears and white markings, both looking towards the camera in an indoor setting.
Tetiana and millions of internally displaced Ukrainians have found refuge in thousands of temporary shelters across the country, including schools, dormitories, and other emergency housing. Photo: Avalyst

Tetiana now lives in a former children’s recreational center surrounded by forest in the Dnipropetrovsk region. The center serves as a shelter, providing housing for 300 displaced people. She shares a small room with her mother and younger sister.

“The hardest thing is losing our home — a place of comfort, love, and belonging,” she says. “Now, we live in a tiny room and don’t know what the future holds.”

Life here is hard. “In winter, temperatures dropped to 12 degrees Celsius (53 degrees Fahrenheit). We can’t use electric heaters — the wiring can’t handle it,” she explains. “There are only two stoves for 286 people and one washing machine per building, serving about 70 people. Cooking and laundry are daily struggles.”

Getting basic things is even harder. “We have to travel more than 37 miles (60 km) to Kamianske to buy food or medicine. If someone gets sick and needs medicine, there’s no pharmacy nearby. Calling an ambulance takes a long time — they often can’t reach us quickly.”

From Ukraine to Poland

Two women are seated close together at a table, engaged in a discussion. The woman on the left smiles as she looks at the other woman. Several publications featuring the CARE logo are visible on the table, and the CARE logo is also visible on the back of one of the women's t-shirts.
Poland hosts nearly one million Ukrainian refugees, the largest number registered in any European country. Photo: CARE Poland

While Tetiana found shelter within Ukraine, millions of others have crossed borders to find safety. Between February 2022 and early 2025, nearly 7 million people fled to neighboring countries such as Poland, Romania, and Moldova.

Olena*, 50, is one of them. She fled her hometown of Makiivka in the Donetsk region in 2014 when the conflict first began. After years of moving within Ukraine, the full-scale invasion in 2022 forced her to cross into Poland.

Olena remembers the fear of fleeing war again. “I looked out the window and saw people crowded in school bomb shelters, lit only by their phone screens,” she says. “There were no explosions yet — just sirens, power cuts, and fear. I thought it would pass. I wasn’t ready to leave again.”

But when Russian troops took over a nearby nuclear power plant, Olena and her family fled west. After a difficult journey, they reached Poland, where Olena faced new challenges: not speaking the language, finding housing, and starting her life over.

“I remember the night we had to sleep in a tent at the refugee center. I was terrified — I had never experienced anything like that,” she says. “But I met other women like me, and I realized I wasn’t alone.”

Starting fresh in Poland with CARE’s support

An Ukrainian woman in a white lab coat smiles at the camera while writing in a ledger in an office with medical equipment and a window showing trees.
After fleeing war for ten years in Ukraine, Olena is now a refugee in Poland, where she works as a nurse, rebuilding her life amid ongoing challenges. Photo: CARE Poland

Olena, a trained healthcare specialist, found her Ukrainian diploma was not recognized in Poland. Determined to continue her profession, she enrolled in a Polish medical university to pursue a full bachelor’s degree — a journey that will take several years.

CARE covered her first year of study and offered language classes, financial help, and advice. “For me, it’s not just about a job. It’s about confidence in the future,” Olena says. “CARE’s support has been life-changing. It helps you feel that you matter.”

Healing through creativity

Three internally displaced Ukrainian women of different ages are intently painting with watercolors, focusing on their respective artworks. A CARE logo flag is visible in the center of the table.
CARE and partners provide vital mental health support through group sessions and creative workshops for displaced women and girls, who make up more than half of all displaced Ukrainians. Photo: Avalyst

Back in Ukraine, Tetiana is finding ways to heal and rebuild her life. She receives health support and protection services from CARE and its local partner Avalyst at the shelter.

 “From the very first meeting, they made us feel heard and included,” Tetiana says. “We joined group sessions and creative workshops to talk, create, and reconnect with others.”

A framed beaded artwork depicts a smiling cartoon-like angel with red hair, white wings, and a chef's hat, floating above a richly textured, bead-embroidered cake or loaf. The background is a golden fabric adorned with small stars and geometric patterns.
The vibrant beaded artwork by Tetiana reflects her return to creativity and healing through community support and her personal journey. Photo: Avalyst

Tetiana always loved embroidery, especially beaded icons and pictures. “But after the war began, I was so shocked I lost interest. Thanks to Avalyst’s sessions, I began healing and picked up my needle again. It brings me joy.”

“Mental health problems are growing among the people we help and for our team. Many live in fear and isolation. Still, we go — because for some, we may be their only help. In times like these, our presence means survival, dignity, and hope,” says Yevheniia from Avalyst.

“The women from Avalyst inspired me to help others, too. I want to be useful — to people and the world around me,” she adds.

Tetiana also found part-time work. “It’s not easy, but it helps me meet some of my needs. Most importantly, I feel stronger and more confident. I’m no longer just surviving — I’m living again.”

Looking ahead…

Despite years of hardship and displacement, millions of Ukrainians continue to hold onto their dreams of peace, safety, and a future rebuilt with strength and dignity. Photo: Laura Noel/CARE

When asked what gives her hope, Tetiana quickly answers: “I believe we’ll go home one day. We’ll rebuild what was lost, heal our hearts, and dream again — without fear.”

Olena echoes this longing for renewal. “Maybe one day I’ll have a small flower bed under my window,” she says with a smile. “Something that’s mine. Something that lasts.”

Tetiana’s and Olena’s stories show the courage and strength of millions affected by this war.

“Today, an estimated 12.7 million people in Ukraine need humanitarian assistance. At CARE, we stand with displaced families, offering not just immediate help but also the support they need to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope,” says Michael McGrath, CARE Ukraine country director.

 

CARE and its partners are working across Ukraine and neighboring countries — including Poland and Romania — to meet urgent humanitarian needs. Their support includes shelter, mattresses, blankets, hygiene items, health and mental health services, and protection, especially for women, girls, and the elderly. CARE’s programs have reached over 1.5 million people in Ukraine.

* Name changed

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