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.