We met Iryna during the distribution of food kits in Kherson. She has survived the occupation and flooding of her home, and now, despite the constant danger and regular Russian shelling, she hopes to preserve the Ukrainian Kherson.
Ms. Iryna is of retirement age, has worked all her life, and has a small family of a husband and an adult child. She lives in a high-rise building and takes care of her elderly grandmother there.
– “After the Kakhovka dam was blown up, both of my apartments on the first floor were flooded and are now non-livable. Now, having two apartments, I am forced to live in someone else’s, but at least I am in my own building. Now, we live under constant shelling by the Russians. We have already had several strikes on our yard,” she says.
In her building of 216 apartments, only 16 are occupied. Iryna believes that it is very important to help those who remain. That’s why she headed the homeowner’s association, supports the residents, looks for opportunities for humanitarian aid, takes care of repairs, monitors related foreign programs, and, of course, takes care of her family. For this reason, she even quit her previous job.
– I did not leave the city because, firstly, I feel that I am needed here. Secondly, if we all leave, who will be left? If there are no Ukrainians in Kherson, if all Ukrainians leave Kherson, where would Ukraine remain here?
Our Foundation greatly appreciates the opportunity to help people from Kherson like Mrs. Iryna. They found themselves in a difficult situation, but still, they contribute to our resilience.
Iryna received the humanitarian kit thanks to the Rapid Response in the South of Ukraine, Kherson Flood Response project. It is implemented by the CF SSS with the support of the international humanitarian organization CARE. The project has previously distributed folding beds, hygiene kits, and non-food items, and it is planned to open social laundries.