Damaged and destroyed homes, lost documents, and a future that is uncertain — this is the reality today in the liberated and frontline communities. Providing assistance to them is crucial. Within the Lifesaving: Protection, Shelter, and WASH for War-Affected Regions project, our Foundation not only provides humanitarian aid but also organizes the work of mobile teams in the Zaporizka, Mykolaivska, and Sumska oblasts. Their mission is to provide free psychological, legal, and social support to those who need it most. Legal assistance is crucial here: locals often face problems with restoring lost documents, handling inheritance and property rights, and obtaining compensation for destroyed or damaged housing. Maryna Derkach, a lawyer for the Zaporizhzhia mobile team, confirms that in a region where 60% of the territory is occupied, the demand for legal aid is extremely high. Maryna provides from five to thirteen consultations in a single workday.
“We go to villages where there is no regular transport service and help people who cannot seek legal assistance on their own. Many of our beneficiaries are elderly people or families who have lost their homes. If a consultation is not enough, I help with paperwork, draft lawsuits, and prepare applications so that people receive comprehensive legal support,” says Maryna Derkach about her work. Her colleague, Hanna Hoholieva, a lawyer for the Mykolaivska Oblast mobile team, notes that every human story she hears is emotionally charged and dramatic.
“I will never forget one woman who came to me for a consultation. She told me how, during the occupation, she tried to evacuate her children, a 12-year-old daughter and a 19-year-old son. They were separated at one of the checkpoints: the daughter was allowed to pass, but the son was taken away. She had to make an incredibly difficult decision, either to take her daughter to a safe place or to go back for her son. In the end, she did both. Her son survived torture but remained alive. Now, the woman is seeking justice and legal help because her child became a victim of war crimes,” recalls Hanna Hoholieva.
According to the lawyers, thanks to the close coordination of all mobile teams’ professionals, it is possible to provide high-quality, comprehensive support to residents, from legal consultations and document processing to psychological help and social assistance.
“Often, people arrive completely helpless, seeking psychological support, but during the conversation, it becomes clear that they also need the help of lawyers. Our team has adapted to such situations, and we do everything possible to ensure that those who turn to us receive the necessary support without limitations,” a lawyer for the Sumska Oblast mobile team Oksana Shlehel.
The services of the mobile teams in the frontline communities of Zaporizka, Mykolaivska, and Sumska oblasts are available until the end of November. Information on the location and working hours of the mobile teams is regularly published on the official websites of local self-government bodies. You can also seek help privately by calling the free hotline: 0 800 33 27 40 or by filling out the form at the following link: https://ee-eu.kobotoolbox.org/x/52AGOfHX
The project is implemented by the CF “Stabilization Support Services” in partnership with the charitable organization Malteser International, with the support of Aktion Deutschland Hilft.
