Zaporizhzhia is a city that withstands attacks and still holds on to hope.
Every day brings news of new strikes, destruction, and evacuations. Yet even under the pressure of war, life does not stop here. People continue to work, support, and help those who need it most.
One of the key directions of our work is restoring social institutions that have become temporary shelters for internally displaced persons (IDPs). These are people who were forced to flee the war, leaving behind their homes, cities, and familiar lives. Some still keep the keys to their apartments in Sievierodonetsk. Some evacuated their children from Kurakhove. Some walked out of Tokmak with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
These people now live in a facility in Zaporizhzhia that sheltered them during the most difficult time. But even this building couldn’t withstand the war — during a shelling, all the windows were blown out, the doors were damaged, and the entrance was partially destroyed. With winter approaching and no proper heating, the situation became critical.
“When we arrived here, things were already tough — emotionally and physically. And then the building itself had been hit: no windows, no doors, everything was covered with blankets and plastic sheets. It was freezing, but we endured — we had no other option. And then you came. And you know what? These new windows — they’re not just windows. They were like someone telling us: we see you. You matter. You’re not alone.”, — shares Ms. Liudmyla, one of the residents, who fled Tokmak with her granddaughter.
That kind of message isn’t an exception — we hear similar words from almost everyone who has lost their home.
As part of the initiative “Strengthening the resilience and protection of conflict-affected individuals, communities and systems in Сentral and Eastern Ukraine”, our team carried out essential repair work in this shelter. We:
- replaced all damaged windows with energy-efficient ones,
- installed new entrance doors,
- reinforced the building’s entry area to ensure greater safety.
These might seem like simple repairs, but they are critically important. When cold air no longer seeps through every gap, when doors close securely, when you no longer have to fall asleep to the sound of plastic rustling, people slowly begin to return to themselves. Peace of mind appears. And with it, that almost forgotten feeling of home.
This project wouldn’t be possible without our partners and supporters.
The Strengthening Resilience and Protection of Conflict-Affected Individuals, Communities, and Systems in Central and Eastern Ukraine project is implemented by the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” in cooperation with the international humanitarian organization CARE and with the support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.