Marharyta, a 24-year-old from Soledar, Donetska Oblast, moved to Dnipropetrovska Oblast on May 8, 2022. Today, she resides in the village of Novoivanivka near Kryvyi Rih with her husband and child. Our encounter with her occurred at a baby hygiene kits distribution in Kryvyi Rih.
“Our home in Soledar no longer exists,” Marharyta reveals, “It’s all occupied, all demolished. We are waiting for everything to revert to normal. However, with the territory currently under occupation, I’m unsure when or under what circumstances we might return. The journey back will be challenging and distressing, even when the territory is liberated. We must rebuild our home from the ground up, clearing the debris and constructing anew.
Soledar was once a vibrant, beautiful city. It was known for its salt production, drawing people for tours of the subterranean salt mines. Post-occupation, nothing remains alive; everything is destroyed, everything burnt. There are entire neighborhoods that are beyond repair, entirely razed to the ground. The city center’s residential housing was consumed by flames, as were all administrative buildings. The Artemsil salt factory building was entirely burnt. The sports complex, once regarded as one of the finest in Donetska Oblast during its construction in the ’90s, lies in ruins. It housed a gym, a swimming pool; people used to exercise there. The park was magnificent. Now, nothing remains.
To those still residing in the occupied territories, on one hand, I’d urge them not to remain passive, not to wait until the worst befalls them, as you might wait until you’re beyond saving. However, it’s a personal decision. We left, particularly considering my pregnancy at the time, there was no sense in staying. I’d nonetheless suggest leaving, just as we did, with nothing more than a bag. Without belongings, without a destination.”
As part of the Addressing the Immediate Multi-Sectoral Humanitarian Needs of IDPs and Conflict-Affected Populations Inside Ukraine project, we provided Marharyta with a baby hygiene kit.
This project is a collaborative effort with the Response Consortium, a coalition of organizations that have been carrying out a multi-sectoral humanitarian intervention for the past 12 months to cater to the acute and urgent requirements of the Ukrainian population affected by the conflict. This initiative has been financially supported by USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA). Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” is the implementing partner of CARE, a consortium member. The content is the sole responsibility of ACTED Ukraine/partner and does not necessarily represent the views of USAID (BHA) or the United States Government.