We Stand with Ukraine

By Ihor Tereshchenko, LHI Ukraine Country Director

Oleh distributing warm hugs and blankets to the elderly residents of Yalta village.

For three years, Ukraine has been living through a nightmare. The war hasn’t stopped. The suffering hasn’t stopped. The need for aid hasn’t stopped. Yet, as the war rages on, international support is shrinking. Major funding sources have been cut, including critical U.S. humanitarian aid. Many organizations that once provided lifesaving assistance are scaling down or pulling out entirely. A potential agreement is being crafted without Ukrainian input and without consideration of Ukrainian sovereignty.

Now, more than ever, we are committed to continuing our high-impact programs throughout Ukraine.

Aid delivered to rural villages in the embattled Donetsk region.

Food and Medical Aid

We work in towns where the grocery store has been shut down for years, the local hospital was bombed long ago, and the only way to get drinking water during the winter is to melt snow. Elderly people are living on nothing but bread and tea. Families are forced to choose between going hungry in a basement shelter and getting shelled as they attempt to find food. This is the reality right now in Ukraine’s war-torn regions.

In response, we’ve delivered food and medicine to those who need it most—to villages on the frontlines, hospitals struggling to function, and people who lost everything. We delivered emergency surgical supplies to a frontline hospital, just days before hundreds were injured in a missile strike. We helped hundreds of people evacuate from under fire and destroyed villages to new homes and new hope.

A group therapy session for women who have lost a loved one to the war.

Psychological Support

There’s another war happening in Ukraine, one that doesn’t make the headlines. It’s the battle inside people’s minds.

Children who flinch at every loud sound. Mothers who haven’t slept in months. Grandparents who have buried all of their descendents. Trauma in Ukraine runs deep, and its scars aren’t always visible. That’s why we focus not only on delivering food and supplies, but also on helping people heal.

One of the women in our program, Natalia, lost her husband on the battlefield. For months, she was drowning in grief to a point where she could no longer speak. She joined group therapy sessions, hesitant at first, but over time she started talking again. Today she doesn’t just attend—she leads. She now helps other widows navigate their pain, proving that healing is not just possible, but contagious.

For many, this psychological support isn’t just about mental well-being, it’s the difference between giving up and fighting to live.

Psychological support sessions for kids at our Center for Mother and Child in Kherson City.

Rebuilding Communities

War doesn’t just destroy buildings. It destroys entire lives. When a missile wipes out a home, it erases more than just walls and furniture. It erases safety, stability, and dignity.

We’ve seen families huddled in basements for months, with no running water, no electricity and no certainty about tomorrow. But we’ve also seen something incredible: resilience. People picking up bricks and rubble to rebuild, turning ruins into homes again, refusing to be broken.

That’s why we are working alongside communities to help them recover. In Kherson, we’ve helped rebuild destroyed homes. We’ve helped local women regain their self-confidence and learn new skills to provide for their families. In Lviv, we’re helping displaced women cope with the horrors they have experienced, restore their faith in life, and even start their own businesses. In Kharkiv, we’ve worked with volunteers to create safe spaces for children to laugh, play, and just be kids again, even with the sounds of explosions in the distance.

War doesn't define the future of Ukrainians. They do. And as long as they are willing to fight for it, we will be there with them every step of the way.

Two family members during a distribution of coal and winter clothes for Myrne village, Donetsk region.

Holding On Together

Why does anyone stay put near the frontlines? Why do elderly women stay in villages that are hit on a daily basis? Why do people stay in cities that are occupied, or at risk of occupation, like Pokrovsk or Kherson? Why do some even return to homes under Russian occupation?

The truth is that leaving is not a simple choice. Displacement is exhausting. Shelters are overcrowded, aid is running low, and the uncertainty of starting over with nothing is overwhelming. Many displaced people spend months or even years moving from one temporary shelter to another, only to realize there is nowhere that truly feels safe.

But perhaps the most important reason why people stay (or return) is that for most Ukrainians, their home is their only financial asset. Most families inherited their homes or land from prior generations who were assigned them during the Soviet era. Losing that home means losing everything. If their city falls under Russian control, they may never be able to access their property again. There will be no compensation, no way to reclaim what was lost.

For an elderly woman in a frontline village, leaving might mean dying alone in a shelter. For a young family, it might mean never having a stable home again. The choice is never simple or easy. It is not just about survival—it is about dignity and holding onto the last piece of a life that war has not yet stolen.

The most important thing to remember is that humanitarian aid is so much more than the initial emergency response. We listen to people to make sure we provide the exact support, physical and emotional, that people need to get through excruciating situations. So, every box of food, every warm blanket, and every session with a psychologist is more than just humanitarian work—it’s a recognition of Ukrainian resilience, and a message of hope and support.

The First Animal Tracks of 2025!

Follow the Animal Tracks to Ethiopia

For centuries, rural agro-pastoral communities in Ethiopia like the Dassenech people have depended on the land to raise farm animals and crops. Everything in their daily life—from the food they eat to the produce they sell at the market—comes from their environment, so their survival is heavily reliant on consistent seasonal patterns and rains. However, extreme climate change over the past decade has caused unpredictable droughts and floods. With each year, more and more farmland and animals either disappear underwater or wither away.

Thousands of Dassenech people have been forced to abandon their livelihoods and traditions, and are struggling to adapt to life in new, unknown territories. With no income or support, getting new animals is an insurmountable challenge. That’s why Animal Tracks can have such a big impact!

The homes in Akudogole are made from sheet metal. They were tricky to get into, but really cozy on the inside.

For this first ever Animal Tracks distribution in Ethiopia, Jaron, Roman, and Tara of our operations team travelled to two villages that have been hit hard by floods: Lokoro and Akudogole. Many of the participating families were led by mothers or people with disabilities, as we wanted to focus our impact on the most vulnerable households. Each family was also given the option to choose between chickens or goats, depending on their own preferences and experiences.

As we sat with Juluk in her home, she told us about her favorite dish, corn flour porridge, and how she’ll be able to make it with milk thanks to her new goats.

Throughout the distribution, the team sat with Dassanech women to hear their stories and plans for their new animals. Many expressed how difficult it was to rebuild from nothing, and how disorienting life felt in a new place without their animals and traditions.

By the end of the distribution, 200 households received new goats and chickens that they will use for reliable food and income. Our project also includes extensive training and follow-ups for families to ensure that they’re able to succeed in this new chapter. For people who have been forced from their land and homes, these farm animals are a step forward in rebuilding their lives.

Getting ready to distribute goats to families in Bweyale, Uganda.

Follow the Animal Tracks Across Uganda

After concluding their work in Ethiopia, Roman and Tara travelled southwest to Uganda. We expanded Animal Tracks to Uganda in 2024, so we were already familiar with the country and its needs. This time, however, we would be holding distributions in two new locations for new communities in the country.

The team’s first stop was the isolated Kiryandongo refugee camp in Bweyale. In October 2024, we visited Kiryandongo to distribute school supplies for Sudanese and South Sudanese children, whose families have come to Uganda seeking safety from extreme violence.

Snapping a few selfies during last year’s school supplies distribution in Bweyale.

Since 2023, a devastating civil war between two major rival factions of Sudan’s military government has displaced more than 12.5 million people, resulting in one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. Of that number, over 100,000 thousand Sudanese people have fled to neighboring Uganda, the largest host country for refugees in Africa. However, despite Uganda’s welcoming policies to refugees, resources are strained, and many refugees struggle to reclaim the livelihoods that they were forced to leave behind.

Since we visited Kiryandongo last year, we were incredibly excited to continue our impact in the area through livestock. Kiryandongo is especially cut off from aid compared to other refugee camps in Uganda, so it was even more meaningful for our team to return with goats! With this distribution, 100 families now own two goats each, which they can use to produce milk for cheese and yogurt—both to feed themselves and sell at the market for a stable income.

Preparing for our goat distribution in Gulu.

Making Animal Tracks from Bweyale to Gulu

From Bweyale, the team headed further north to Gulu city, home to a large population of internally displaced Ugandans. For two decades, from 1987 to 2006, guerilla warfare between militant groups and the Ugandan government resulted in a lasting humanitarian crisis throughout northern Uganda. The pain caused was widespread and severe, with civilians subjected to torture, abductions, sexual violence, and massacres. Thousands of Ugandans were forced to leave their belongings and homes behind. Many of the people who were displaced to Gulu are still struggling to rebuild their lives, and the area’s poverty has been exacerbated by the influx of refugees from violent conflicts in neighboring countries.

Our distribution in Gulu was a bit smaller—50 goats for 25 households—than the one in Bweyale, but will still have an immense impact. We specifically focused on connecting with the female heads of multigenerational households, so that the effects of their new animals would be multiplied across families. Our team sat alongside the women as they attended a professional training with a vet—it was clear how excited they were to take good care of their new goats.

We started Animal Tracks with goats for Syrian refugees in Jordan way back in 2017, and we’ve come a long way since! With each distribution, Animal Tracks is helping more families take a step toward stability and self-sufficiency. Whether we’re reaching remote communities displaced by climate change or sitting with families who’ve fled extreme violence, our goal remains the same—to equip refugees with the resources needed to rebuild and thrive.

Joyce’s Story: A Fighter’s Heart

Anne, LHI Refugee Resettlement Manager, with Joyce and two of her children.

In 2013, Joyce and her family were living in Juba, South Sudan, when simmering political instability and ethnic tensions boiled over into violent civil war. Rebel groups began battling government forces for control across the country. Innocent civilians were caught in the crossfire, targeted for arbitrary reasons. Business owners, teachers, journalists, and aid workers became marked individuals. Others were singled out based on their ethnicity, political affiliation, or social status. Thousands of people were massacred. Sexual violence against girls and women was rampant and children were forcefully recruited by militias.

Juba was very tribal. If they saw someone who went to school or studied, like my husband, it could cause trouble. There were a lot of fights that broke out and it was very hard for us.

Joyce found herself embroiled in a nightmare when her husband, targeted for his perceived status as an educated businessman, was kidnapped by militias. Fearing for their lives, Joyce and her children boarded UNHCR trucks full of other terrified women and girls. The trucks carried them for hours until they crossed the border into Uganda.

A neighborhood in Kampala.

But her challenges were far from over. Everyday life in the overcrowded and impoverished urban refugee settlements in Kampala was extremely difficult. The hospitals didn’t have mattresses, sheets, or lights. Food and clean water were scarce, and they often faced dangerous outbreaks of cholera.

We had to be self-reliant, but most of the refugees couldn’t afford to. The other girls and I moved from place to place. We washed clothes for people, did some laundry for them, just to earn a living.

As a mother, Joyce faced even greater dangers. One of the girls she came with on the trucks was kidnapped and smuggled back to South Sudan where she was beaten to death. The girls’ family, blaming Joyce for their daughter’s death, demanded she give up her first-born daughter as compensation. Others in the community also began pressuring her to marry off her daughter.

In South Sudan, when you have female children, they are seen as wealth. They can be married off at any time. They have no rights to go to school. I didn’t go to school, and was also married at an early age. I didn’t want my daughter to be taken.

Despite the violence at her doorstep, Joyce was a fearless community leader, speaking out against gender-based violence, child marriage, and domestic abuse. She urged women to stand together and fight for their daughters’ right to an education. Her work even caught the attention of the UNHCR in Kampala, who recognized her ability to bring women together.

I just wanted a free space for every child, for every girl, to go to school. Not to be forced into marriage. The child has a right to decide, to be a better person.

Jaron, LHI’s COO, with a refugee family in Kampala.

Joyce’s brave activism stood up to the power of community elders who exploited young girls for their own personal wealth and gain, but it didn’t come without a personal cost. She was accused of spoiling her children, and going against tradition.

I became an enemy to the community. People started asking, “Where does Joyce live? What is Joyce doing?” I was targeted, and in 2023, I was attacked in Kampala. I was beaten until I bled, and was unconscious for 3 days in the hospital.

The UNHCR began to recognize that the situation had become far too dangerous for Joyce to stay in the camp. For Joyce and her children to have any chance at survival, they would have to move elsewhere.

In January 2024, a decade after fleeing South Sudan, Joyce and her children resettled in America through the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). Though finally safe, she was completely alone. With no connections in the area, she relied on a caseworker assigned to her family to adjust to daily life in the US. But their time was limited, and Joyce knew she would need more support to rebuild her life.

I landed in Syracuse, New York, and I felt lost in an unknown land. I didn’t know anyone. I didn’t know how to get to the market or the hospital. The caseworker couldn’t just drive me all around. My children had no one to talk to.

But Joyce had a close friend living in Utah named Peninah who she grew up with and considered a sister. She knew that being near Peninah would make her new life much easier, so she contacted the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for help.

I had been traumatized and beaten. I didn’t know whether my husband was alive or not. I didn’t know how to start life. But when I came to Utah, I felt like I was at home. I could smile because I had my sister. She could drive me around, and she could help if I had any issues. My children could talk to her children at school, and they could use the bus together.

Joyce’s new apartment was completely unfurnished, and her family had been sleeping on the floor.

Shortly after arriving in Utah, Joyce met Anne, LHI Refugee Resettlement Manager. At the time, Joyce’s new apartment was empty—they had no mattresses to sleep on or winter clothes to wear. Anne and LHI’s volunteer do-gooders in Utah made sure to give Joyce and her children a proper, warm welcome. They delivered furniture and clothing from the LHI Humanitarian Aid Warehouse directly to her door, set everything up, and ensured that Joyce’s family had all the supplies they needed.

When we first came to Utah, we were sleeping in the cold. I didn’t have any clothes. But Anne came into my life like a guardian angel. She brought us everything. She didn’t only give me clothes and mattresses, she also encouraged me. She made me smile. I felt so motivated.

With Peninah and organizations like LHI at their side, Joyce and her family are thriving in Utah. Joyce is taking classes to earn her GED and her children are enrolled in school. They’re finally able to access the education she spent so many years fighting for.

I’m just happy that my children are in school, where their teachers smile at them. And education has no age limit. I will go to school until I finish because I still have a fighter’s heart.

I still want to support the young girls. I’m still fighting for them not to be married off, for them to have the right to go to school. That’s why I’m studying hard in the US. I’m taking any opportunity to support the girls of the future and the girls back home. This is my goal now.

Joyce’s brave advocacy for the rights of girls and women came at a huge cost, and it was critical that her family be resettled outside of Uganda. However, for many other women around the world, safety is now further out of reach. With the suspension of the USRAP, thousands of vulnerable women who have endured brutal displacement and violence are now even more isolated, trapped in dangerous conditions. US budget cuts have also decimated programs that help newly arrived families like Joyce’s.

But we’re making up for what has been lost. In Utah, we’ve restored maternal healthcare for pregnant moms and wellness checks for families. Abroad, we’re helping refugee women build paths forward and achieve self-sufficiency through mental healthcare, professional development, and entrepreneurship.

Now more than ever, we are committed to helping refugees, at home and abroad.

FAQ: What’s Happening to Refugees, at Home and Abroad?

Unprecedented changes in US policies are deeply affecting humanitarian organizations and the refugees they support. It can be hard to keep track of how budget cuts have impacted the humanitarian field, so we put together this guide to break everything down.

An LHI food distribution for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.

What do humanitarian aid organizations do for refugees?

Millions of people who have lost everything—their homes, livelihoods, belongings—depend on humanitarian aid organizations to survive and rebuild their lives. .

Humanitarians provide aid to help people who have been forced to flee their homes from violence, natural disasters, or instability. They distribute food, medicine, clean water, clothing, and other essentials. Humanitarian organizations also build and run important infrastructure like schools, hospitals, and shelters, as well as provide essential services for mental health, education, professional development, and resources to help generate income.

An LHI aid distribution for children in Afghanistan. We go the extra mile to include handmade stuffed animals, quilts, and “You Are Loved” cards.

Why does the US government provide funding to humanitarian aid?

Some humanitarian aid organizations receive funding from the US government. By doing so, the US advocates for human rights, promotes global stability, and supports the world’s most vulnerable people.

Providing humanitarian aid abroad helps prevent crises from getting worse, reduces the risk of widespread instability, and strengthens America’s relationships with other countries. It also addresses the root causes of forced migration, like violence and famine.

The US government also provides funding to organizations that help resettle newly arrived refugees. This ensures that refugees can successfully become part of American society by reducing their dependence on government assistance in the long run. Integrating refugees into their new communities also boosts local economies by strengthening the workforce and fueling economic growth.

We provide Ukrainian frontline hospitals with essential equipment.

Who is being affected by cuts to US humanitarian aid?

Millions of people depend on humanitarian aid to make it from one day to the next. Recent federal budget cuts in aid have already caused a sudden, devastating impact around the world.

• Nearly $500 million worth of food is rotting at ports as refugees in Sudan, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia fight hunger and famine.

• Medicines and antibiotics are expiring, instead of treating sick and elderly refugees in Myanmar.

• Hospitals in Ukraine aren’t receiving the supplies needed to operate on injured civilians.

• Clinics across Uganda and South Africa have shut down, leaving people without HIV medication and increasing the risk of infections.

• People displaced by violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo don’t have access to clean water.

What else has been suspended or cut?

The US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) has been suspended, shutting America’s doors to thousands of refugees—including those who were already approved for resettlement. Check out our article here for more information on the USRAP suspension, and what the resettlement process involves.

In addition to the USRAP suspension, funding has been cut off for NGOs that help refugees after they’ve relocated to the US. These NGOs act as a support system for new arrivals, and without them, many refugees in the US are lost with no one to turn to.

Anne, LHI Refugee Resettlement Manager, met Ivone the day after she resettled in Utah. With the support of organizations like LHI, Ivone’s family was able to integrate into their community. Now, Ivone has graduated from high school with honors and is going to college.

What’s happening to the refugees who have already resettled in the US?

Transitioning from a refugee camp to everyday life in the US can present a whole new set of challenges, which is why caseworkers are essential. Each newly arrived refugee family is assigned individual caseworkers to help them make sense of their new home. Caseworkers ensure children are enrolled in school, parents find jobs, and bills are paid. They guide families on how to get around their new neighborhood, access English classes, and book doctors’ appointments.

Recent funding cuts have forced many organizations to lay off their caseworkers. The remaining staff are overwhelmed and unable to meet the needs of struggling families. Newly resettled refugees have been left with no one to help as they navigate their new lives. Isolated and uncertain, they are left wondering if they are truly welcome here.

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How is LHI responding?

We’re making up for what has been lost. Our team has been working around the clock to expand our programs: maternal healthcare, shipping more international aid, providing goats to build self-sufficiency in refugee camps, and conducting wellness checks for isolated families—whatever refugees need, we’re there—ensuring that refugees aren’t forgotten.

How can you help?

Act today to ensure that refugees continue receiving support:

• Donate to LHI. We completely depend on donations from individuals like you!

• Get your friends, family, or co-workers together to make aid kits based on our needs list.

• Share our posts on social media to spread awareness.

• Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on what’s happening in the humanitarian field.

• Volunteer at LHI: In Utah, we need volunteers to help out with care for pregnant moms and wellness checks for new families. Contact anne@lhi.org to start your background check—it’s free to you—and we’ll connect you with our refugee neighbors.

Rebuilding and Healing: The Unrecognized Bedouin Women of the Negev

At 62 years old, Layla lives alone in a settlement so remote and small it doesn’t appear on any map. Her daughters married and moved to other villages long ago, and her only son tragically died in a work accident 15 years ago. For the past 40 years, her home has been a small, makeshift shack of wood, corrugated iron, and barbed wire on her ancestral land.

One day, while cooking over an open fire, an accidental splash of oil sparked a blaze that quickly engulfed her home. Luckily, she managed to escape, but suffered severe burns on her hands and arms. The fire destroyed everything—her modest belongings, important documents, and, most heartbreakingly, the cherished photos of her late son.

“All my memories disappeared in a minute.”

Unfortunately, Layla’s story is far too common for the roughly 100,000 Bedouins in southern Israel’s Negev desert region, who live in settlements that don’t officially exist—at least in the eyes of the Israeli government. Classified as an “illegal settlement,” these villages are denied the most basic means of survival. There’s no electricity to light their homes or power air conditioners in the brutal desert summer. Running water is unavailable to drink, clean, or cook with. With few employment opportunities and even fewer schools and health clinics, people are trapped in a perpetual cycle of poverty, disease, and unemployment. They have no one to turn to when disaster strikes.

Sidreh volunteers organizing aid and donations.

Our partner organization, Sidreh, is a lifeline for women in the most vulnerable households of the unrecognized villages. At their Emergency Supplies Room (ESR), injured mothers and sick children can access basic medicines, hygiene items (like diapers), and heal both physically and emotionally thanks to Sidreh’s free healthcare and their volunteers’ warm support.

Layla’s hands, burned by a fire that reduced her home to ashes.

The remains of Layla’s home.

Homeless and injured, Layla sought help at Sidreh’s ESR. A volunteer, trained for this kind of situation, was able to provide her with crucial first aid, including burn cream, bandages, and painkillers for her injuries. Layla moved into a small outbuilding owned by one of her relatives and Noor, Sidreh’s ESR Coordinator, stepped in to offer further support—food for the weeks ahead and donations of blankets, solar lights, furniture, and other essentials.

Beyond physical recovery, Layla now faces the daunting task of replacing her lost documents — an almost insurmountable challenge for someone who doesn’t speak Hebrew and has no legal address. But she’s not alone. Sidreh is committed to supporting Layla as she faces the legal process and regains a sense of stability.

A glimpse of Sidreh’s ESR, filled with medicine, food, and diapers.

Over in the remote village of Tel Arad, life presents unrelenting challenges to 39 year old Amal. She lives on the edge of survival, struggling to feed and raise her four young children, aged 2 to 5 years old. With no jobs to be found in or near the village, her husband spends most of the month living on a construction site far away, with his meager paycheck barely covering his living expenses and those of his family. Amal has no way of getting to the city without him, so when her toddler developed a high fever late one night, panic quickly set in. Painkillers and fever reducers are too expensive, and ambulances do not serve her village. Amal was consumed by worry.

Women can feed their families with food supplies from the ESR.

Fortunately, Amal was well aware of Sidreh’s ESR—she’d recently taken diapers and some food from the room when she couldn’t make ends meet. Knowing Sidreh’s ESR volunteer would be sympathetic, she walked over to her, despite the late hour. “I’m afraid the fever will get worse and I have no medicine,” she said, her eyes heavy with exhaustion. “I’ve heard of children dying from fevers. Getting medicine is the most important thing right now.” 

The volunteer, responsible for managing the aid room, swiftly provided the necessary medication. Reflecting on the encounter, the volunteer later shared, “I’m so proud to be part of this project. It’s impossible to describe my feelings when I see mothers’ happiness in getting the simplest medicines for their kids. Until this room opened, you can’t imagine how difficult it used to be.” 

Compassionate volunteers organizing donations at the ESR.

Despite their impoverished living conditions, Layla, Amal, and the thousands of other Bedouins in these rural villages remain dedicated to their ancestral, tribal land. They’ve lived there for generations, caring for their animals and crops. Leaving for the city—as the Israeli government has been pressuring them to do—would mean giving up the way of life they’ve always known, and ceding their land to Israeli settlements. 

The Israeli government may refuse to recognize their villages, but we see them, and we’ll ensure that they are not forgotten. With Sidreh’s compassionate support, Layla and Amal can access vital resources—food, medicine, and economic opportunities—that allow them to hold on to their way of life. In a land where their presence is denied and ignored, Bedouin women continue to stand strong, and thanks to Sidreh, they do not stand alone.

A Photographer’s Perspective: Capturing Strength in Ukraine

By Shannon Ashton, LHI Board Member

Shannon Ashton recently visited Ukraine with Hayley, LHI’s Founder/CEO, and Mary, LHI’s Board Chair, to witness the impact of our programs firsthand.

In Lviv, women and children fleeing devastation in eastern Ukraine find refuge in our shelter and strength at our Center for Women’s Development—safe spaces where they can begin to heal from the ongoing trauma of war. Over shared meals and afternoon tea, our team listened as women shared their stories of immense loss, resilience, and hope.

A professional photographer, Shannon has documented LHI’s work since 2015. On this journey, she captured powerful moments of grief and strength, preserving the stories of those rebuilding their lives under the threat of Russian occupation.

Day 1: January 17, 2025

To enter Ukraine from the west we have to fly into Krakow, drive to the Ukraine border, and then walk across to where our partners meet us. It’s a bit of a roll of the dice as to how long it can all take but Krakow has become an important outpost on these journeys.

Today we visited a military cemetery that is unfortunately growing by the day, and was one of the most heartbreaking experiences of the journey. I had visited this cemetery less than 12 months ago when it was much, much smaller and I was taken aback by how it has swelled in the time since. As we silently walked through the rows of fallen soldiers, we looked up to see a caravan approach and realised we had become the unintentional guests of a newly fallen soldier’s funeral ceremony.

We watched as their fellow comrades in arms, family members, and friends gathered in song and salute to honour this brave patriot. We paid our respects by kneeling in the snow as the coffin was carried up to the top of the cemetery hill to reach its resting place. I wept tears of grief that took me off guard. I, a mere visitor, had no right to these tears, but I was overcome with sadness at this loss and the many others before me. To my Ukrainian friends, I offer you my heartfelt compassion and love as you continue to suffer the hardship and losses of this war.

Day 2: January 18, 2025

We spent an incredibly moving afternoon attending the Center for Women’s Development in Lviv. We met women who’ve become widows or otherwise suffered great personal losses in this war, who are struggling to find a way forward from the traumas they’ve experienced. Their stories are heartbreaking. This incredible women’s center offers highly trained psychological support that helps these women heal, and provides a safe space for meaningful connection and community. Ultimately this gives them hope and support through the darkness of war.

The impact of a casual afternoon tea social like the one pictured above is immense and far reaching. The tragedies of this war are legion but centers like this are providing tools and opportunity for hope—and hope is everything. I cannot say enough about the women running this operation. They are highly qualified professionals with hearts of gold.

Day 3: January 19, 2025

Today I met 87 year old Raïsa and her daughter. They’re so sweet! They recently fled the east of Ukraine and arrived at the LHI Women’s Shelter in Lviv. I’m so struck by their soft spoken nature. They are so lovely! They have endured so much trauma and they arrive here with heavy hearts. Raïsa survived the bombing of World War II, and never thought she would have to go through it again for a second time.

Staying in a humble shelter with wooden bunks is no one’s idea of a happy way to spend your later years. Raïsa and her daughter should be enjoying a peaceful life in their hometown, but this war continues to rage on. Our shelter is providing a lifeline for many women like Raïsa. I hope for peace in Ukraine so that all can return to their rightful homes. I stand by Ukraine in sharing these stories.

The above photo shows many other residents of the shelter with our wonderful partners who lovingly run this facility.

Day 4: January 20, 2025

I’m now back from Ukraine. The war rages on. Bombs are still dropping. People are still hungry and cold, in dire need of aid and evacuation. The oppression of war looms overhead, bringing destruction and threatening to rob people of peace and freedom.

Amidst all of this, many good hands are working to help those most severely affected by the trauma of this war. People are bringing medical supplies to the front lines, offering shelter to the displaced, providing psychological support to the emotionally scarred and so, so many other good things. The work being done by our teams on the ground is truly heroic. Meeting with them and seeing first hand the efforts they are engaged in is like standing among the greatest of humanitarian giants.

US Refugee Resettlement: What’s Actually Going On

Confused about the suspension of refugee admissions into the US? A lot of people are. There is so much information, both true and false, swirling around that it's easy to feel totally lost. We wrote this to guide you through the chaos.

Afghan refugees hold placards during a meeting to discuss their situation after President Donald Trump paused US refugee programs, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)

On January 20, the US government suspended the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), shutting America’s doors to thousands of refugees at the height of the world’s largest displacement crisis. This unprecedented decision—which became effective on January 27—has thrown the futures of countless people into disarray, including those who had already been approved to begin a new life in the US.

Joyce, a single mother of five from South Sudan, resettled in Utah with the hope of building a safer future. Though happy to finally have a home of her own, her apartment was completely unfurnished, and her family had been sleeping on the floor for weeks. When we arrived with mattresses, furniture, and soft bedding, her children finally had a warm, comfortable place to rest. After the unimaginable difficulties of the refugee journey, we were happy to give Joyce’s family a warm welcome.

Over 10,000 refugee flights have been cancelled because of this move. Behind each of these flights is a person who has been waiting for months, if not years, to start a new life as an American. Among them are people waiting to reunite with their families, to practice their faiths and freedoms, to escape torture and death. They were promised safety in the US, and that hope has been stripped from them.

No one chooses to be a refugee. When people are displaced by violence, instability, or natural disasters, they are forced to leave everything they know behind—their homes, belongings, and livelihoods. They embark on a long, difficult journey of rejection after rejection, uncertain of where they will end up.

Mendora was born and raised in an impoverished refugee camp in Kenya, where she never had enough blankets or clothes. Thanks to the USRAP and our Welcome Program, Mendora and her family are now learning English, she’s enrolled in school, and they’re integrating into their community.

On top of the hardships that come with being displaced, the path to being resettled in the US is exceptionally difficult and long. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) approves of less than 1% of all refugees globally to be resettled in another country. Of that miniscule percentage, an even smaller number are referred to the US. Each person must then undergo the USRAP’s lengthy vetting process, one of the hardest pathways to immigrate to the US. This painstaking application consists of in-person interviews where people are scrutinized, recounting their traumatic stories again and again. To ensure they pose zero security risk, they complete rigorous background checks and security screenings.

Our incredible volunteers make our work possible. We will not abandon our refugee neighbors.

The administration’s decision will impact our Welcome Program, where we furnish and prepare apartments for newly arriving refugee families. As we monitor the status of the USRAP, we will adapt our programs in Utah to empower our refugee neighbors on their paths to self sufficiency.

We stand with refugees, and will continue delivering compassionate care and aid at every step of their journeys. Next, we’ll be sharing updates on how federal funding cuts to refugee-supporting NGOs are affecting resettlement efforts—and how we’re stepping up to ensure families in Utah aren’t forgotten.

Bridging the Gaps for Communities in Donetsk

By Anastasiia Shelukhina, LHI Ukraine Partnership Manager

With plummeting temperatures and dwindling resources, survival in frontline villages throughout Ukraine’s Donetsk region grows increasingly desperate. These communities are cut off from the world—bridges and infrastructure have been destroyed, government aid is an empty promise, and most NGOs have abandoned the area, leaving these villages to endure the worst of the war. Russian forces loom ever closer, threatening to engulf what remains of their homes and lives.

Yet, even in these dire circumstances, our team, Ordinary People, refuses to abandon them. Braving extraordinary dangers, they deliver coal, winter shoes, and blankets—lifesaving provisions for a brutal winter. In this journal, LHI Ukraine Partnership Manager, Anastasiia Shelukhina, recounts a mission to the villages of Yalta and Myrne, where the team faced dire challenges to reach those who need help the most.

Anastasiia with Tetiana, Ordinary People’s SMM specialist.

Day 1: December 19, 2024—Yalta Village, Donetsk Region

With a mix of anticipation and anxiety, we began our first winterisation project of the season early in the morning. Questions plagued our minds: Would there be enough coal and shoes for everyone? Would the bags remain intact? Would we face issues at the checkpoints?

Our first stop was at the house of the local coordinator, Nataliia. She greeted us warmly and showed us her chickens and pigs. Her voice trembled and tears welled up in her eyes as she spoke of the possibility of leaving them behind.

Outside, people were already gathered, waiting patiently to receive their coal. Ordinary People’s team members, Oleg and Yurii, jumped in to help unload the bags—each one weighed 25 kilograms. They came up with a clever idea to use a beam to lower the heavy sacks. It worked perfectly, and soon everyone was pitching in to help.

Meanwhile, I spoke with a local woman who told me that Yalta village has had no electricity or gas since early December. The government keeps promising electricity, but people don’t believe it will come anytime soon. The latest government commitment— an aid delivery by January 3rd—was met with skepticism.

Sudden machine gun fire in the distance reminded us to hurry. Coal was dumped straight onto the ground, and the villagers worked together like a well-oiled machine, hauling the heavy bags and receiving their shoes.

We met a young boy among the villagers.

Among the villagers, we spotted a child. We couldn’t leave without giving him a small gift—a blanket and a school bag—and it sparked a moment of joy despite the looming danger.

As we drove away, the sky lit up with the most stunning sunset. It felt like the perfect way to end a challenging but fulfilling day. We made a difference, and that’s what mattered most.

Day 2: December 20, 2024—Yalta Village, Donetsk Region

The bridge used to reach rural villages in Eastern Ukraine.

We woke up to alarming news: the bridge we crossed yesterday was damaged and mined overnight. The realization hit hard—if we had been delayed by just one day, we wouldn’t have been able to deliver coal to the people in Yalta. With no choice but to adapt, we found an alternative route to Yalta and pressed on.

Oleh distributing warm hugs and blankets to the elderly residents of Yalta.

This time, our focus was on distributing food kits and blankets to elderly individuals. It was also a chance to check the coal’s quality, talk to people, and see their living conditions. Despite their poverty, one thing stood out—every house and yard was clean and tidy.

A man gratefully shared that “One bucket [of coal] lasts almost the whole night.” The villagers’ appreciation was overwhelming, and some even said, “This is too much.” My response was simple: “Take it—no one knows when we’ll be able to return.”

Midway through the day, the White Angels—an evacuation and paramedics team from the Donetsk Regional Police—received troubling news. Another bridge near Andriivka was destroyed. Despite the tense atmosphere, we quickly managed to visit four more houses, ensuring everyone received their supplies.

Day 3: December 21, 2024—Myrne Village, Donetsk Region

With the bridge situation unresolved, we shifted our efforts to Myrne village. This time, we prepared for our largest distribution thus far—21 tonnes of coal, or 10 bags for each family. When we arrived, people were already gathered and waiting patiently.

Yuri, Anastasiia, and Oleh with a resident of Myrne village.

Two amazing coordinators, Nadiia and Lidiia, were there to assist, keeping the mood light with jokes. One man had the brilliant idea to divide the 10 bags into smaller amounts for easier handling. The system worked perfectly, and everyone waited calmly in the queue.

The villagers were incredibly welcoming. They offered us candies and coffee, and their open, talkative nature lightened the load of a heavy day. By the end of the distribution, we felt a deep sense of accomplishment.

Vira and Galyna are two friends who live near Myrne village. They helped with coordination.

That same evening, we packed up and headed back to Kharkiv, reflecting on another successful mission. But, as we looked back on the day’s events, it was impossible to ignore the growing difficulties—the lack of electricity and gas, and the uncertainty about when or if help will come again.

The villages we visited are becoming isolated, both physically and in spirit. The damaged bridges are more than just logistical challenges; they are a stark reminder of the broken connection between these communities and the outside world. Every delay in delivering aid, every empty promise from officials, and every broken piece of infrastructure pushes them closer to despair. Despite everything, the people we met showed incredible strength. They keep their homes clean, work together, and find ways to stay hopeful.

As we drove back to Kharkiv, we couldn’t help but think about how important it is to keep supporting these villages. Even though the roads are difficult, we must return and remind them that they are not forgotten.

Thank you to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their charity organization, Latter-day Saint Charities Australia (LDSCA), for their generous support of this winterization mission.

Mission of Resilience: Part II

By Anastasiia Shelukhina, LHI Ukraine Partnership Manager

Come with us to the frontlines of conflict in Ukraine, where resilience and hope shine brightly, even amidst the shadows of war. In October 2024, LHI’s team undertook a four-day journey to deliver aid to struggling frontline villages in the embattled Donetsk region. LHI Ukraine Partnership Manager, Anastasiia Shelukhina, documented this powerful mission in a journal.

Over the first two days, the team visited the villages of Pokrovske, Prosiane, and Odradne, distributing food kits, hygiene products, medical supplies, and other essentials. Despite the pain of war, the villagers shared stories of hope, greeting the team with warm smiles and gestures of gratitude. Anastasiia found herself deeply inspired by their unity—a poignant reminder of humanity's capacity to support one another during the hardest times.

Check out Part I of her field journal here.

Below, Anastasiia recounts the latter half of their mission, as they braved the risks of drone strikes to continue delivering life saving aid to those who need it most.

Day 3: October 9, 2024

As the day began, we sipped coffee and prepared for our mission to Rozdol’ne. We presented our documents as we passed through the checkpoint for approved entry into the village. On the way to Rozdol’ne, two members of the White Angels—an evacuation and paramedics team from the Donetsk Regional Police—joined our team. They warned us that enemy aircraft were looming nearby, making us vulnerable to airstrikes. Before we could safely continue, we had to wait until the drone wasn’t on our radar. As the wait dragged on, we heard that 4 enemy UAV drones were in the air over Velyka Novosilka village, just a few kilometers from our stop. Once we finally received a signal that the threat had been repulsed, we quickly left for Rozdol’ne village.

Distributing aid under the shelter of trees in Rozdol’ne.

We arrived in Rozdol’ne to the sounds of nearby explosions, with local residents waiting for us under two large trees. The active front was very close, and we were still worried about the threat of drone activity. The village head, Lyudmila Petrivna, urged everyone to receive aid  as quickly as possible, and despite the tense threat of nearby war, we found comfort in the community’s joy.

Iryna is from the rural village of Zhelanne, which was invaded by Russian forces in October 2024.

One woman named Inna approached me, eager to share her family's story. She revealed that her mother had nine children, and unfortunately, only four of her siblings were still alive. Our conversation was cut short by the urgency of the situation, leaving little time for deeper exchanges.

I also met a well-dressed 76 year old woman with bright red lipstick named Olga Mykhailivna, who received a lovely pair of shoes. Before we left, she kindly asked us to notify her before our next visit, so she could prepare us some savory, deep fried turnovers called chebureky. Her warm gesture touched our hearts and reminded us of the importance of hope during these difficult times.

Meanwhile, Dr. Vlad was busy providing consultations, and was able to see seven patients in total. He expressed disappointment at not being able to help more people, but I reassured him that every bit of support mattered. Before leaving, I hugged Lyudmila Petrivna, the village head, assuring her that our team would return soon. Time was of the essence, and our safety remained a top priority.

On our drive back, we stopped at the White Angels’ house in Bahatyr village to deliver winter car tires for their evacuation vehicle. We thanked them for their invaluable support and contemplated the possibility of adopting a few cats from Velyka Novosilka during the team's next visit.

We collected beautiful red peppers from this field near Bahatyr village.

On our way out, we spotted a field bursting with ripe red peppers. The locals generously offered them for free, urging us to hurry before any shelling resumed. With a few beautiful peppers in hand, we finally returned safely to Pokrovske.

But our mission wasn’t over just yet. The cost of rent in the front-line settlements of the Dnipropetrovsk region, where families from the Donetsk region have been evacuating to, has skyrocketed due to the exponential demand from both civilians and military members. Our final stop was to provide support for a family who was resettled near Pokrovske, and has been struggling with the high cost of living.

Their children, still shocked by the loss of their home, quietly accepted their gifts and quickly returned to their room. We spoke with their mother and agreed to continue our support in the future.

Day 4: October 10, 2024

With the dawn of a new day and bright sunshine, we went to the warehouse in Prosiane. Our mission was to load a bus with essential items, school kits, and toys for 150 children in Prosiane village. We carefully chose blankets, backpacks, and diapers, ensuring we had everything necessary for the little ones.

Yurii distributing toys to children in Prosiane.

By 10 a.m, families were already gathered in the square, eagerly waiting for our arrival. We began distributing the kits, calling out names for families to come forward. The joy on the children’s faces when they received backpacks and toys was heartwarming; they immediately started playing with their new treasures. I joined in the distribution, engaging with local women to discuss their needs, specifically regarding diapers. They requested larger sizes for our next visit, and we promised to bring them.

Once the distribution was complete, we loaded up the remaining items and headed to a nearby cafe for coffee. Children played with local cats and dogs, filling the atmosphere with laughter and warmth. Safely back in the city, we reflected on the day’s experiences and the connections we had made.

This mission showed me the incredible strength and kindness of the people living amid chaos in the Donetsk region. Families who had lost everything still welcomed us with warm smiles. Even with the pain of war on their shoulders, they shared stories of hope and support. Their resilience was inspiring—a true reminder of how strong and united people can be, even during the hardest times.