Empty streets, nearly all buildings destroyed, no people in sight, and shops and pharmacies long since closed — this is the reality facing residents of frontline Beryslav. The community is located in the Kherson region, as close as possible to the front line.
According to representatives of the Beryslav community administration, the situation here has significantly worsened compared to last year. Only three settlements have partial electricity; the rest have been without power since 2022. Over the past few months, due to constant shelling, it has been practically impossible to reach the area. However, 693 people, including children, currently remain in the community.
As a result of our efforts, in April 2026, our Foundation’s team was able to distribute individual personal hygiene kits to 140 residents of the Beryslav community. This is crucial, as the community’s residents need assistance and are fighting for survival practically every day.
Ms. Galina (name changed for security reasons) is among those who received assistance from the Foundation. She and her husband live in a village a few kilometers from the front line. The store in their village has been closed for a long time. Therefore, they simply have nowhere to buy personal hygiene products.
“We are so grateful to you for your help. Our family received a full two boxes, which will definitely last us 2–3 months. The kits contain everything we need: shampoo, soap, shaving supplies, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and much more. At first glance, they’re just ordinary items, but we simply have nowhere to buy them,” — the woman says.
According to Galina, it has become very scary to live in their village now. The security situation is getting worse every day.
“There are no cars on the road, no people in sight—everyone is staying in their homes. It’s extremely dangerous to enter or leave the village because anything that moves comes under fire. Enemy fire hardly ever stops, and drones are chasing cars and people. Sometimes they bring us water and food. They used to deliver bread once every two weeks, but they wrote that they won’t be bringing it starting June 1. Now I’ll have to bake it myself. It’s good that we have a small garden and chickens. They’re what’s keeping us going,” — the woman shares with sadness in her voice.
However, Galina and her husband aren’t planning to leave the village just yet.
“We’ve already had to flee once. An artillery shell hit our home, leaving no walls standing, and the village where we lived no longer exists. That’s why we’ll stay here. As long as there are brave people like us and caring people like your Foundation, I believe everything will be okay,” — Galina says with conviction.
Ms. Valentina (name changed for security reasons), a resident of another village in the Beryslav community, also received a personal hygiene kit. She lives alone. Her husband passed away, and her children have grown up and moved away, so she has to face all the challenges of war on her own.
“I used to live in the village of Tamarine, but it’s very close to the front line. My house there burned down, so I had to move. Now I live in a small house, raise some poultry, and tend a small garden. Last year I had a cow, but it’s hard to prepare hay for the winter on my own. Sometimes it’s scary to even step outside here because of the shelling. It feels like the windows are about to shatter or the ceiling is going to collapse,” — the woman says.
According to Valentina, she’s actually very lucky. Doctors visit the village from time to time, though with long gaps, but there’s electricity, and bread is delivered once a week. But it’s very hard to buy the most basic personal hygiene items. There’s only one small store in the village. However, because of the constant shelling, it’s often closed.
“Soap and shampoo have become almost as valuable as gold. It’s practically impossible to get them in our village. They bring in very little to the store, and those who have money snap it all up instantly. So, if it weren’t for your help, I don’t know what I would have done. Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart. You put together such a large package — I didn’t even expect it. Now, at least for a while, I don’t have to worry about where to get the hygiene products I need,” — concludes Valentina.
The assistance was made possible through the project “Lifesaving Response to Protection Concerns and Humanitarian Needs of Conflict Affected People in the South and South-East of Ukraine” is implemented by the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” together with the international humanitarian organization CARE, with financial support from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
