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

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

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

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

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.”

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…

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