In September 2022, the city of Izyum, located in Kharkivska Oblast, was liberated. Despite the extensive damage to the civilian infrastructure, residents are making their way back to rebuild their lives, with many starting from square one.
Olena, a 50-year-old entrepreneur with a 20-year success streak, once owned a shoe store. Her husband, too, was a business owner.
The couple possesses both an apartment and a private residence in Izium. The Russian military took up residence in their private home during the occupation, leaving it in a worse state than their apartment – where windows are now shattered, doors ripped out, and the water supply disconnected.
Olena recalls, “When the heavy bombardments began, we were in our private residence. We lacked basic amenities like a sheltered basement; even water and gas supplies were severed. Our dire circumstances, coupled with an absence of food reserves, forced us to flee, leaving behind our inventory—a summer shoe collection, which was subsequently plundered. Had anything remained, I’d be in a position to continue my business today. My store was ravaged; the goods are lost. Although my husband’s store was spared, its stock was stored in my facility. Both of us have now lost our sources of livelihood and are grappling with starting anew.”
Despite her years of experience and a previously thriving business, Olena’s attempts to secure grants have been futile. “My grant applications and business plans were declined, and I’m unsure why. Although I’ve operated as an individual entrepreneur for the past year, the looming return to pre-war tax rates makes me consider quitting. I’m hoping to regroup and scout for new opportunities.”
Upon the arrival of warmer months, Olena and her husband returned to Izium, cleaning their apartment. The apartment was not inhabitable during the colder period due to shattered windows and lack of heating. “The initial days were challenging, primarily due to the compromised state of our dwelling. But, with the city now gradually repopulating, our determination to rebuild our enterprise here remains unshaken. Izium is our home,” Olena says with a glint of optimism, “Our goal is to be self-reliant and become taxpayers, just as we did before.”
Currently, about half of the residents who evacuated during the occupation are back in Izium, with a shared ambition of rebuilding their city. As a part of the CARE Ukraine Winterisation and Resilience Program, efforts are in place to rejuvenate Izium, including refurbishing the first batch of residences. The apartment building where Olena lives is slated for renovation under this project.
The CARE Ukraine Winterisation and Resilience project is being implemented by the Charity Foundation Stabilization Support Services with the support of the humanitarian organization CARE.Ukraine.