Over the past six weeks, Kryvyi Rih has been actively implementing the project “Strengthening the Resilience and Protection of Conflict-Affected People, Communities and Systems in Central and Eastern Ukraine.” As part of the recovery works, teams have installed 31 new structures — windows, balcony units, and entrance doors — in 11 residential buildings across the city.
For many residents, these changes mean much more than a simple renovation. The new installations bring back warmth and a sense of safety to homes that had long been exposed to cold and noise.
One of those who has already felt the difference is Ms. Nina. She lives with her nephew in an old apartment, her only close family. For a long time, the balcony in their flat had been unusable: cold air blew in through the cracks, and stepping outside was unsafe. After the installation of a new balcony unit, she was able to enjoy comfort in her home again for the first time in years.
“Now it feels like I live in a brand-new apartment. It’s warm, quiet, and peaceful again. And in the evenings, how wonderful it is not to hear the drones flying overhead. Hearing silence — that is real happiness,” emotionally tells Ms. Nina.
Despite difficult circumstances, she hasn’t lost her sense of humor. When signing the paperwork after the repairs were completed, she joked:
“I signed my name as carefully as if it were at the registry office. Only this time I didn’t get married — I signed an acceptance report.”
That moment stayed with the team. Regional engineer Olha recalls how moving it was to hold back emotions:
“When we finished the work, Ms. Nina watched me through the window as I left. It was incredibly touching — it reminded me of my own grandmother. Moments like this prove once again that our work truly makes people’s lives better.”
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 (BMZ).