Mission of Resilience: Bringing Aid and Hope to the Donetsk Region

By Anastasiia Shelukhina, LHI Ukraine Partnership Manager

Since the war in Ukraine began in 2022, over 1.2 million people have been forced to flee the embattled, eastern Donetsk Oblast. With three-fifths of the region under Russian military occupation, life for Ukrainians has become increasingly more difficult and dangerous. Over the past two months, Russian forces have advanced at a rapid pace, seizing several eastern Ukrainian towns. Many of those who remain in towns like Pokrovske, Prosiane, and Odradne are elderly, with little access to essentials, medical care, and psychological support. Despite these challenges, residents remain steadfast and resilient, determined to stay in their hometowns.

Last month, LHI’s team conducted a series of aid deliveries to struggling, frontline villages throughout the Donetsk region. LHI Ukraine Partnership Manager, Anastasiia Shelukhina documented her heroic journey in a journal. Her story highlights LHI’s exceptional ability to deliver aid where other organizations can’t, and the importance of hope for those living near the frontlines in Donetsk.

Anastasiia and Oleh, ready to deliver boxes of aid to the Donetsk region.

Day 1: October 7, 2024

Our journey began around 10:30 a.m. as we set off from Kharkiv, determined to reach our aid warehouse in Pokrovske as swiftly as possible. Known as the "western gate of Donbas," Pokrovske is a small town at the edge of the embattled Donetsk region. We traveled in a convoy led by an ambulance, followed by a bus with our five-member team. Among us was also Dr. Vlad, who regularly joins our missions and provides psychological support sessions for those persevering through the dangers of life near the frontlines.

When we arrived in Pokrovske, we met with Alyona Levterova, a representative of the military administration for the Volnovakha district. We discussed our upcoming humanitarian efforts and the challenges of helping the local population prepare for the winter. It felt great to know that we have open channels of communication and that our connections with the local authorities are solidifying.

Meanwhile, Yurii, Oleh and Dr. Vlad prepared a delicious barbeque. We exchanged stories under the rain and went to bed anticipating the productive days ahead.

Anastasiia, Yurii, and Oleh heading into Odradne village. 

Day 2: October 8, 2024

At 8 a.m., we hit the road to pick up food kits, hygiene products, and medical supplies at the humanitarian aid warehouses in Pokrovske and Prosiane before heading to Odradne village for distribution. The weather was surprisingly warm and sunny for October, lifting our spirits. At the time, I was unaware of the risk that comes with clear skies.

Before we could leave the Prosiane village warehouse, some local women invited us for a quick coffee and tea. As we sat down, I noticed a laptop open to a guide entitled, "How to React and Act During Chemical Weapons Attacks." The reality of war was right in front of us. And yet, in the same moment, our hosts enthusiastically shared their community initiatives. One woman, beaming with pride, told us they had submitted a song to a local contest. Their ability to continue creating, sharing, and celebrating life in the face of danger left a deep impression on me.

A group of young men from the White Angels—an evacuation and paramedics team from the Donetsk Regional Police—accompanied us to our next location, Odradne village. The White Angels lead humanitarian efforts at the frontlines amidst constant shelling and enemy advances, all without coordination or support from the military. One of the men, just 24 years old, mentioned he had written his resignation letter. With quiet frustration, he said, “They don’t give us anything. We’re on our own for everything.” It was a stark reminder of how the system often fails those on the frontlines, leaving them to navigate war on their own.

Anastasiia with the kind residents of Odradne village.

When we finally arrived at Odradne village, the residents were already gathered and waiting for us. The paramedic-midwifery center in Odradne has been closed since the beginning of the war, and the last time Doctors Without Borders came to the village was in March of this year. With no other options, Dr. Vlad immediately began providing his psycho-emotional support consultations in our local coordinator’s home. For Ukrainians who have chosen to stay in their homes, these sessions are especially important, reminding residents that we’re by their side.

As we began distributing aid, the residents moved like clockwork, quickly forming a human chain to pass down the boxes. We distributed clothes that had come from the U.S., prompting a few jokes about shoes that didn’t quite suit village life. Laughter filled the air as people tried on shiny boots better suited for a night out than the dirt roads of Odradne.

One woman approached me, requesting diapers for her bedridden mother. As we started talking, she mentioned that it hadn’t rained in a long time, the fields were dry, and the sun didn’t bring much joy anymore. Oleh warned me that Russian forces target humanitarian workers more often during sunny weather, turning my enjoyment of the clear skies into quiet dread.

When we arrived at the woman’s house later that day with the diapers, she broke down in tears, explaining how expensive they were and how impossible it was to find them in their isolated village. As a gesture of gratitude, her daughter insisted on giving me several jars of home-canned zucchini and cherries.

Mykhailovych and Yurii with our delicious zucchini.

Our day ended back at the warehouse in Povkrovske, where we finally had a chance to rest. Dr. Vlad cooked a delicious meal of barbecue and buckwheat. We opened one of the gifted jars of zucchini—it was the tastiest zucchini I ever had—and reflected on the day’s events over dinner.

By the end of the first two days, I felt a mix of exhaustion and gratitude. Meeting people who showed such kindness and strength despite the hardships reminded me of the real purpose of our work and why we always return. We had come to bring help, but we left with a deeper sense of hope. Each interaction, warm smile, shared laugh, or small gift fostered a deep sense of community that thrives even in these difficult times. Looking ahead, we were ready for new challenges, knowing that each stop would bring more stories and moments to remember.

Love from eastern Ukraine!

The Long Road to Safety

By Ihor Tereshchenko, LHI Ukraine Country Director

Ihor with Stas, LHI Lviv Shelter manager and evacuation coordinator from NGO I Am Not Alone, at the entrance to Zaporizhzhia city.

Our evacuation trip to Zaporizhzhia and Pavlohrad was not only long and exhausting, but also emotionally draining. We covered over 2500 kilometers (1600 miles) in three days, navigating dangerous, war-torn regions with little to no rest. From Lviv, we made our way to Zaporizhzhia, where we picked up a group of civilians displaced from the frontlines. They were silent and withdrawn, weighed down by loss and uncertainty. Most were elderly individuals or mothers with children, their eyes hollow from the constant strain of living through war.

In Pavlohrad, we were supposed to pick up a second group of evacuees from Pokrovsk, a city now largely reduced to ruins. But fate had other plans. After surviving the destruction of Pokrovsk, the group found themselves bombarded once again in Pavlohrad. The emotional and physical toll was too much. Physically and emotionally exhausted, they made the difficult decision to stay in Dnipro for a few days to recover and plan their next steps.

One of our evacuees, Oleh, a retired teacher from Orikhiv, shared his story with us. His hometown, just 8 kilometers from the front line, was reduced to rubble. The only remnant of his old life was a refrigerator, somehow untouched amidst the ruins. "We have nothing left," he said, "except memories and the hope that this war will one day end." For now, Oleh and his wife are heading to Denmark, where they will start over in a foreign land, completely uncertain of the future.

Then there was Andriy (name changed), a quiet, dignified man with noble gray hair. As the miles passed, he shared his own story. A priest and chaplain from a small town in Donetsk, Andriy was in western Ukraine when the war began. His mother, bedridden and elderly, was left behind in the occupied town. Despite numerous attempts to reach her, Andriy never succeeded. He spent months volunteering and helping civilians until he injured his arm during a recent shelling. His injury forced him to join our evacuation. He planned to reunite with his son in Vinnytsia for treatment and to figure out how to rescue his mother from the occupation.

We dropped Andriy off on a dark, deserted highway near Vinnytsia. All that remained of his past life fit into a small backpack. His eyes reflected his emotional scars and worry for his mother. Yet, his last words to us were filled with hope and faith: "God bless you. Help yourself and your loved ones. And believe in a near victory."

People boarding our bus in Zaporizhzhia for further evacuation.

As we completed the long journey back to Lviv, leaving behind the ruins, chaos, and heavy silence, it was impossible not to feel the weight of these stories. Each person we helped was carrying the loss of a home, a family, a sense of security that would likely never return. Yet, even in the face of devastation, hope persists. It’s found in the quiet resolve of Oleh, holding onto memories as their only connection to the life they once knew. It’s in the strength of Andriy, who, despite being torn away from his mother and his past, offered us words of faith and encouragement.

This trip reminded me that the road to safety and stability is long, and for many, it’s still uncertain. But with every kilometer covered, every person helped, and every story shared, we see that resilience remains. These are the people we serve—their courage inspires us to fight for their future. This is why we do what we do, even when the path is long and the road is hard. Because for these people, it’s a journey not just of survival, but of finding hope again.

Thank you to The 188 Foundation for funding our evacuation missions.

Meet Kira in Balakliya, Ukraine!

By Ivy Laidlaw-Morris

Eight-year-old Kira lives in Balaklia, a small village in northeastern Ukraine. Her favorite color is bright, bubbly, pink and her favorite scent is flowers. She loves taking walks with friends, especially in autumn. For Kira, happiness lies in surprises—unexpected gifts and moments shared with loved ones. In her future, she envisions herself as a successful programmer, creating innovations that improve lives and inspire others. She also has an even bigger aspiration of owning a cat one day! 

Everything about Kira would tell you she’s your typical, happy, eight-year-old girl, but what makes her truly special is her resilience. For half of her life, the world around her has been in crisis. She grew up during the uncertainties of the pandemic, and shortly thereafter, was forced into the realities of war. In March of 2022, Kira’s hometown of Balaklia was occupied by Russian forces, and despite the village’s liberation, the feeling of war still permeates everyday life for local residents.   

And yet, Kira keeps dreaming of her brightest future. She finds solace and support at our community center in Balaklia, where art therapy sessions provide a space for her to unwind, breathe, and create. LHI seeks to uplift Kira and children like her to follow their dreams… together, we want to build a future where eight-year-olds can be eight-year-olds, free of burdens of displacement, trauma, and violence. 

About Ivy: Hi, I’m Ivy, an intern working with LHI. Like Kira, my favorite time of year is autumn. My favorite thing to do in my free time is explore the nature of Brooklyn, and my favorite holiday is Halloween! Since I was little I’ve been involved with refugee aid through my parents, and LHI’s mission of uplifting and empowering those fleeing persecution and violence is so important to me. I look forward to continued work for and with those like Kira!

Life in the Shadow of War: A Journey to Velyka Novosilka

by Ihor Tereshchenko, LHI Ukraine Country Director

The sky over Velyka Novosilka, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, is shrouded in the gray shade of war. It is April 2024, and this is the second year of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As I set foot on this war-torn land, the harsh reality of the conflict hits me in a way I could never have imagined. The people here are living on the edge of survival, but their spirit remains unbroken.

Ihor (left) stands in the village of Velyka Novosilka in Eastern Ukraine

Our mission is to deliver humanitarian aid to those who need it. I meet Svetlana, a local woman who has taken on the role of coordinator for her neighbors and friends. Despite the constant danger, she helps us distribute aid and provides a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos of this new reality. While the doctor is tending to the sick, Svitlana agrees to show me her apartment, or rather what's left of it.

The entrance to the building is marked with the word "People". It is a desperate call, a message to the Russian soldiers who could break into the city any day and who often "clean up" buildings in captured cities without regard to whether there are civilians or military inside. The sign is meant to protect, but its effectiveness is questionable. However, in the face of such uncertainty, hope clings to even the smallest gestures. 

Svitlana leads me to her top-floor apartment. She opens the door very carefully to prevent her cat from escaping. The cat, once a victim of cruelty, now cowers in fear of strangers. She once rescued this then kitten from a big dog, to which people had thrown it, and had abused it beforehand. The apartment is a shell of its former self. Windows shattered by relentless shelling, the balcony littered with broken glass, the wind seeping through every crack. It is no longer a home but a storage space for belongings and food.

In stark contrast, Svitlana's basement "room" tells a story of survival. It is a tiny, dark space, no larger than 2 meters by 2 meters, once a technical room now turned into her sanctuary. She has been living here for over two years, without electricity or water. Her main source of light is a makeshift lantern—a plate of sunflower oil with a smoldering string. This dim light is a ray of hope in the long, anxious nights for thousands of people like Svetlana - people for whom life ended in February 2022 and endless survival and struggle began.

Despite the dire conditions, Svitlana's resilience shines through. We step into the courtyard, and there, in the middle of the apartment building yard, where flowers once bloomed, stands a mini-farm. Svitlana grows fresh vegetables and fruits, a lifeline for the locals who have no access to fresh produce. Their only source of food is humanitarian aid brought by volunteer teams like ours. Her greatest pride is her strawberry bushes. As she shows them to me, her eyes light up. "In another month or so, we will have real strawberries. Can you imagine?" she says, her voice filled with hope.

Next to the strawberries, a broken tree stands as a reminder of the shelling the day before. The contrast is stark—while I can easily buy strawberries from a hypermarket across the street, Svitlana risks her life to grow them. Her determination to grow these little red gems in a war zone says a lot about the human spirit.

Svitlana's story is just one of many. The people of Velyka Novosilka live in constant fear, yet they find ways to adapt and survive. They have created a community of resilience, supporting each other through the darkest times. They remind me that even in the face of unimaginable hardship, the human spirit remains unbroken.

As I leave Velyka Novosilka, I carry with me a sense of awe and admiration for these people. Their strength and determination are a beacon of hope. They show me that even in the shadow of war, life goes on. And as long as there are people like Svitlana, there is hope for a brighter future.

Travelogue: A Week in Ukraine With LHI

by Shannon Ashton, LHI Board Member

Flags bearing the names of fallen Ukranian soldiers in Independence Square, Kyiv.

February 12, 2024

Chisinau, Moldova

I’m on a bus from Moldova to Ukraine in support of crisis relief in the ongoing war in Ukraine. We’ll cross the border in just a little while. I’ll be all over the country documenting relief efforts and capturing stories from the front lines. This trip doesn’t come without risks so prayers for our team are gratefully accepted. 

February 15, 2024

Odesa, Ukraine

We could hear a soft voice floating through the misty, cold night air in Odesa. A few people scattered on mostly empty benches. An attempt at normal life. Barbed wires and hedgehogs stand guard and nearby prized monuments are covered and sandbagged. We stop and listen. The music glides through the foggy night as a brave act of hope.

February 16, 2024

Odesa, Ukraine

Vadim’s Odesa flat was destroyed by a drone attack two weeks ago. When he heard the siren he ushered his mother out of their first floor flat down to safety in a more secure spot on the ground floor of the building. That move surely saved their lives. Vadim, a young twenty-something, is a member of the LHI team working in Ukraine. He carries on—going to work and helping others. He quietly shared the news of his flat, and generously offered to allow us to visit, with permission to share. The trauma is fresh. No roof. Rubble covers everything, and what remains stands still in time. His neighbour across the hall was saved only because she was in the shower, literally the only space in her flat not completely destroyed. Vadim’s resilience and strength is incredibly inspiring. He even manages to crack a few smiles. I honestly don’t know how.  He is in a temporary shelter as he awaits an assessment to know if his building will be condemned, like so many countless others.  This happened just two weeks ago. The war is not over.

February 18, 2024

Kyiv, Ukraine

People here are trying to live their lives as best they can, but signs of war are everywhere. Very few spaces in Kyiv are without some reminder of war. Whether it’s blown out windows, pitted building walls, the darkened streets at night (curfews run across the country), minefield warnings, air raid sirens, sandbagged statues, sounds of explosions, the evidence of war goes on and on. Mostly it’s the long look of war on the faces of the people we meet. We chat to a few, they are curious about our American accents and why we’re here (no one is coming here). We’re met with warmth and gratitude for our support, but the trauma of war is written all over their faces. The men cannot leave the country. Many of age are already fighting. Those who aren’t wait for their call. Or maybe conscription will get to them first. We enjoy a nice meal; restaurants are open. The main courses come with a side of air raid sirens. War is relentless. And this is life in Kyiv, currently better off than what is going on in eastern Ukraine, where we go next.

February 19, 2024

Kharkiv, Ukraine

During our two days in Kharkiv the sirens were nearly nonstop. I’m so rattled by this experience. A missile struck the city while we were visiting program centers in nearby villages. There is no knowing when or where the strikes will come. We heard mines go off; every piece of earth is a minefield now. And with all this, your nervous system begins an internal battle. And in these eastern frontline locations the missile defense system is almost nonexistent. There is no time for detection or deployment as it’s too close to the source, Russia mere kilometres away. I was overcome with worry and anxiety as we settled into our accommodations for the night. The doubt and fear that creeps in when the sirens ring out. Where to go. What to do. This all layered on top of sleep deprivation. It’s psychological warfare. And I only have to deal with it for one week here. For those living in Ukraine it’s become a way of life. Reminders of war are everywhere as destruction lies in the dark wake of war. There is a resolute determination I find uniquely Ukrainian that completely overwhelms me. I feel so fragile here. 

A local artist gifted a heartbreaking painting to LHI. It represents the horrors of this war. Two years and still no end in sight.

To find out more about LHI’s programs in Ukraine, or to donate to keep those programs running, visit the Ukraine page on our website.

LHI Humanitarian Aid Warehouse Volunteer Spotlight: Nikita

by Nikita Posvolskii , LHI Humanitarian Warehouse Volunteer

LHI Humanitarian Aid Warehouse volunteer Nikita helps to translate box labels into Ukranian.

LHI works because of people like our LHI Humanitarian Aid Warehouse volunteer Nikita. Nikita is an exchange college student from Russia. He shared this essay explaining his interest in helping LHI’s humanitarian aid efforts, especially those in Ukraine. 

My name is Nikita. Two years ago I was a Russian student getting my undergraduate degree at a university in Moscow. My peers and I loved our country and planned to pursue our careers there. Although we clearly saw our current government's flaws, we believed that we could influence them to change the country we love for the better. Our faith began to weaken after the Russian government started expelling students from their universities for their beliefs and statements that didn’t align with those of the government.

The situation for idealistic students like me became even worse the day Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Saying anything against the war in Ukraine can get you 15 years of imprisonment for “discrediting the Armed Forces of Russia.” You can’t even call the war in Ukraine “the war in Ukraine” without being at risk because its official name in Russia is “special military operation.” If you name it “the war” you can get the same 15 years of jail time. In fact, in the first two months after Russia started the war, more than 15,000 Russians were detained for their connection with anti-war rhetoric and protests. This placed fear in Russian citizens, coercing them into silence for the sake of their lives and the lives of their loved ones. At the same time, it is a horrible feeling to sit and maintain silence when your own country invaded Ukrainian territory and occupied an independent country. It is hard to stay silent when you are against a war that has resulted in the death and displacement of ordinary Ukrainians. 

My feelings of helplessness eased in August 2022 when I came to the U.S. as an exchange student. It’s been amazing to study at a university where students are not afraid to talk about what they really think and believe in. I quickly realized that in the U.S., I could help Ukrainian refugees both in my host community in Utah and in Ukraine itself.

Nikita helps gather materials to set up an apartment for a refugee family resettling in Utah.

My search for the opportunity to help Ukrainians whose lives have been impacted by the Russian invasion led me to the LHI Humanitarian Aid Warehouse in American Fork, Utah. 

I enjoy volunteering with LHI and helping to organize the warehouse, setting up apartments for refugees, especially those from Ukraine, packing orders for shipments overseas, and so much more. I especially enjoy translating the contents of the donation boxes into Ukrainian so it’s easier for Ukrainians to understand what is in each box when they arrive in Ukraine. I’m happy to be here in the U.S. so that I can help. In Russia, providing humanitarian assistance to Ukrainians is punishable by law. 

Nikita organizes shelves of aid that LHI includes in its international shipments.

I believe that it is important to help people who have lost their families and their homes. I am glad that I have found Lifting Hands International, an organization whose ideals match my own. Lifting Hands International exists and continues its work to change the world for the better. If you are a student in the American Fork area or just live there, I highly encourage you to get involved with LHI and make an impact to change someone's life. Let’s change our world and help those who are in need together!

LHI Looks Back on 2023

by Brigid Rowlings, LHI Communications Director

LHI’s COO Walker, Director of Monitoring and Evaluation Jaron, and Founder and Director Hayley distributed aid to survivors of the earthquakes that devastated Turkey and Syria in February.

Looking back over the past year, we cannot believe all you have helped us to do! Here are the highlights!

The LHI Community Center in Serres, Greece

LHI’s Director of Monitoring and Evaluation Jaron and founder of our Utah programs Carlissa lent some elbow grease to improvement projects at the LHI Community Center in Serres.

It was a year of continued growth and innovation at the LHI Community Center, which is located near two refugee camps in Serres, Greece. The LHI Greece team was thrilled to receive new computers for the education program and new shelving for the community center’s aid warehouse. After talking with the women who attend programs at the Female Friendly Space, the team also adjusted the way we distribute clothing, school supplies, baby items and other aid. Instead of handing out parcels, the team instead created “free shops” where beneficiaries can select their own items. This small change not only provides people with a sense of dignity, but also brings a lot of excitement and joy.

The LHI Greece team set up a free shop where parents could shop for baby items including these handmade teddy bears.

utah programs

LHI team members and volunteers loaded this container of aid for Jordan in October.

Our Utah team prepared and shipped 18 containers of material aid to places like Bangladesh, where thousands of Rohingya refugees living in a large refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar were impacted by a fire in March, Afghanistan, where 6.6 million people have been internally displaced by conflict and natural disasters, and Gaza, where over 80% of the population has been displaced. The team also sent 7 shipments to the US/Mexico border to help shelters there provide warm clothing, hygiene products, and baby kits to migrants.

The US Office for Refugee Resettlement provides local resettlement agencies with a list of items that must be in apartments of resettled refugees. If the items aren't donated, they must be purchased from the family's small stipend. LHI's Utah team relies on donations from you to keep our warehouse stocked so that we can provide all the items resettled refugees need!

The Welcome Program has grown so much that we had to expand our warehouse! So far this year, LHI volunteers have set up 285 apartments for refugees resettling in Utah. And, in addition to our long-standing partnerships with the International Rescue Committee and Catholic Community Services, LHI is now working with Cache Refugee and Immigrant Connection to make sure that resettled refugees in Logan, Utah come home to an apartment furnished with everything they need.

ukraine

The battery powered incubators you helped us provide put to good use at Bashtanka Hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine.

Last year, we asked you to help us get Ukrainians through a cold and uncertain winter and you responded! We were able to provide generators, battery powered infant incubators, sleeping bags and long underwear throughout Ukraine. Our teams in Ukraine have also been able to get consistent material, medical and psychological aid to frontline communities all year long.

LHI's Ukraine country director Serhii (center) organized LHI's response to the dam collapse, including finding this truck which pumped thousands of tons of water out of homes and businesses.

When the Kakhovka Dam in Kherson province ruptured in June, our teams responded not only by helping those displaced from their homes, but also by pumping thousands of tons of water out of homes and businesses. 

Moldova

Participants in the Story Time Project performed some of the Ukranian folk tales they had read for family and friends!

Looking back on all the work our Moldova team has done with Ukrainian refugees, it is hard to believe that our community center in Balti and our Storytime Project are not even a year old! Both programs provide social emotional support activities for participants and keep Ukrainian language and culture alive.

Children at the LHI Community Center in Balti participate in a yoga class, part of the social emotional supports offered to Ukrainian refugees.

jordan

LHI Founder and Director Hayley Smith toured one of the modular classrooms LHI was able to build for Syrian refugee children in Jordan.

In Jordan, it’s all about kids and kids! The first set of kids are the Syrian refugee children who have benefitted from the 3 modular classrooms we built this year. Because Jordanian schools are already at capacity, building classrooms means that Syrian children can attend school. 

This family turned the 2 milk goats they received from LHI into a herd of 25 in just 2 years!

The second set of kids are the 1,200 Shami milk goats we have distributed to Syrian refugee families. The families who benefited had been goat herders in Syria, but had to leave their herds behind when they fled civil war. Having milk goats allows these families to improve their family’s nutrition and move towards self-sufficiency as they sell milk and grow their herd. One family we visited this year had turned the two milk goats they received two years ago into 25! The income they earned from goat milk and goat products allowed them to leave the refugee camp and rent a home. 

emergency response

LHI's COO Walker distributed aid to an earthquake survivor in Turkey.

LHI specializes in responding to emergency situations quickly, talking to the people impacted, and finding out what they most need. In February, we were able to assist both Turkish and Syrian people impacted by earthquakes by providing medical and psychological first aid, hygiene kits, and food packages. 

LHI responded to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza quickly, finding partners on the ground to help us source aid and get it to civilians who need it in Gaza.

In October, we arrived in Egypt and got right to work finding the right partners to help us get aid to the over one million people displaced in the Gaza Strip. We established a partnership with the Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA) who helped us get food and medicine into Gaza.

We Couldn’t Have Done It Without You!

Whether you are an LHI volunteer or a donor, whether you’ve tied blankets or assembled hygiene kits for a service project, or whether you are a partner or a grant provider, you are a part of our team. Thank you for your support this year. We look forward to working together again in 2024 to meet needs around the world. Simply humanitarian.

Building Community and Strengthening Bonds at the LHI Ukraine Capacity Building Conference

by Ihor Tereshchenko, LHI Ukraine Partnership Manager

Even baby Mark, the smallest representative from our operating centers across Ukraine, came out for LHI's second capacity-building conference in Lviv, Ukraine!

Did you know that LHI has 7 operating centers all across Ukraine? Our teams at each operating center have figured out ways to best support fellow Ukrainians and deliver humanitarian aid. On September 21-24, LHI held its second capacity-building conference, bringing together representatives from our operating centers as well as from our Moldova program to learn from each other, share best practices, and engage in wellness activities.

LHI has 7 operating centers in Ukraine. Representatives from each center came to Lviv for our second capacity-building conference.

Ihor, LHI’s Partnership Manager in Ukraine, shared this recap of the conference. Ihor joined LHI in August after working for the Ukrainian Red Cross. Thank you, Ihor, for sharing!

A Balanced Blend

The conference achieved a harmonious balance between sharing and learning, and created a safe space for forming and deepening interpersonal relationships. Participants benefited from rich content and expert insights through workshops on ways to efficiently and effectively manage humanitarian work, fundraising, and establishing and maintaining a social media presence.

Ihor helps representatives from one of our operating center share best practices.

The event also facilitated wellness sessions, such as art therapy, meditation, and a tea ceremony. Relationships were formed and strengthened through sharing professional and personal experiences, and paved the way for future collaborative projects.

Conference participants recharged with art therapy.

Conference participants, many of whom work on the front lines or with people who have evacuated from the front lines, take a moment for meditation and self-care.

Relaxing and enjoying a tea ceremony.

Attendees gave the conference rave reviews!

Personal feedback from attendees underscored the event's success in addressing their diverse needs. The agenda was particularly commended for its relevance and thoughtful structure. The practical workshops stood out as valuable, offering hands-on experience that participants could apply directly to their work. Jaron, LHI’s Director of Monitoring and Evaluation  said, “I think this conference is one of the most valuable elements of our capacity-building support for Ukrainian humanitarian teams. Our focus on the well-being of our partners, and providing opportunities for learning and growth, greatly improves the ability of our aid workers to give meaningful support to those most in need. Plus, the new collaborative relationships (and new friendships!) between Ukrainians from all corners of the country will continue long into the future.”

LHI Founder and Director Hayley captures this moment of collaboration and connection.

Networking and collaboration opportunities were hailed as pivotal aspects of the conference. LHI Moldova’s Roman said, “Joining the conference with the LHI Moldova team, we got to know many of the people and projects in Lviv for the very first time - and what a truly beautiful and impressive experience that was! These interactions contributed significantly to the sense of community among attendees and created a platform for potential future initiatives.”

LHI Founder and Director Hayley, Director of Monitoring and Evaluation Jaron, and COO Walker say a fond farewell to Ukrainian team members.

Hayley, LHI’s founder and director, reflected: “Spending quality time with our Ukrainian team members was so wonderful! I loved seeing our teams from different regions of Ukraine come together, away from the frontlines. Our team members work so hard, some in very dangerous situations, and this conference was a great opportunity to thank them face to face!”

Most of all, the conference left our teams in Ukraine refreshed, inspired, and feeling united in our mission. Ukraine country director Serhii said, “LHI’s leadership and our friends can be far away; still, our hearts feel no distance. Our bonds will strengthen while we help Ukrainians together, and our conference was a great chance to meet face-to-face, share our experiences, and brainstorm new projects.”

A Testament to the Power of Collaboration

The LHI Partners Conference 2023 surpassed expectations, offering a comprehensive and enriching experience. It equipped participants with knowledge, skills, and valuable connections necessary for advancing their humanitarian missions. The event was a testament to the power of collaboration and shared commitment to making a positive global impact through humanitarian efforts.

If you’d like to learn more about our humanitarian aid efforts in Ukraine and Moldova, please visit our Ukraine response page and our Moldova program page.

Field Journal: Celebrating Summer Successes in Basarabeasca, Moldova

by LHI Volunteers Davide and Thomas

Thomas and Davide, our outstanding international volunteers in Basarabeasca, Moldova, concluded their role as summer camp counselors and teachers by helping to plan an end-of-summer extravaganza! We thank Thomas and Davide for their incredible work this summer. We know the town of Basarabeasca will miss them terribly!

Davide, Thomas, and Edu pose for a group photo outside the Phoenix Center with the campers who made their summer unforgettable!

 August 13th 2023, Basarabeasca, Moldova

Our fourth week at the Phoenix Center kicked off with two full days dedicated to preparing for a significant event—a grand end-of-summer party for the kids! 

Thomas and I spent Tuesday and Wednesday fine-tuning every small detail. As volunteers, we played a significant role in setting up sports games and assisting the kids in practicing various exercises they would showcase to their parents and an official jury on Thursday during a competition. Simultaneously, invitations were sent out, food and beverages were procured, and by Thursday, everything was primed. For the occasion, additional members from the LHI Moldova team traveled to Basarabeasca to offer their support and participate in the festivities. Everyone was excited to have our Director of Field Operations, Edoardo, and our photographer, Octavian, join for the day.

Children competed in fun and creative contests. The winners looked forward to collecting their awards!

After a morning of final preparations and anticipation, the celebrations started around 2 p.m. The event began with sports competitions among the kids. They were divided into two teams under two captains— Thomas and me. In between competitions, other beneficiaries of the center performed choreographed dances, both traditional and contemporary. Once everything concluded, all kids from the two teams were presented with awards, and the center's director, Clara, delivered a speech expressing gratitude to everyone involved, including Edoardo, us, and all the others who had contributed to the effort and work in the past weeks. The remainder of the event unfolded smoothly, featuring entertainers for the children, courtyard dances, and a final soccer match. The atmosphere was joyful and, and everyone was left content.

Campers enjoyed showing off their dance moves!

In the evening, Clara organized a staff dinner to celebrate the end of the summer camp, which had occupied the center and its staff for the past several weeks. The mayor and deputy-mayor of Basarabeasca were also in attendance, offering their support for the project, acknowledging our presence, and once again expressing their gratitude for our contributions. On our part, we extended our thanks to the mayor, deputy-mayor, Clara, and the entire staff for their warm and kind welcome. The dinner stretched on for hours, creating a wonderfully pleasant occasion shared with the entire center team.

Edu, LHI Director of Field Operations in Moldova, and Clara, the director of the Phoenix Center, enjoy the day’s festivities.

Friday saw a quieter atmosphere at the center, but a new project was on the horizon. In the late afternoon, a group of artists from Romania arrived to commence work on two graffiti pieces on the center's exterior walls. This collaboration involved a Romanian NGO and the Romanian Culture Institute. After an initial inspection on Friday, the artists returned to start their work on Saturday and throughout the weekend. Given their need for access to the Center, we ended up spending the entire weekend assisting them, even on Sunday.

It was an incredibly eventful week that marked the conclusion of the summer camp and held significant importance for our stay here. Our bond with the center's community grew even stronger, and we received heartfelt and appreciative feedback on our efforts – a truly important validation. We are glad to have played a part in this project thus far.

To find out more about LHI’s work in Moldova, please click here!

Visiting LHI Projects in Ukraine and Jordan Made a Lifetime of Difference to Me

By Mary Carriero, Chairperson, LHI Board of Directors

LHI Board of Directors Chairperson, Mary Carriero (center in sunglasses), traveled with members of the LHI crew to Jordan and Ukraine to check in on our operations there.

It was a genuine privilege to accompany Hayley Smith, LHI Founder and Director, and Walker Frahm, LHI COO, on a recent trip to visit LHI’s programs in Jordan and Ukraine. In both countries, the needs LHI is addressing are visible, raw and immediate.

While in Jordan, Mary (pictured in a pink hat) helped inspect each goat to be distributed.

On our first stop, Jordan, I immediately saw how desperately the goats we distribute are needed by Syrian refugee families. Goats are in such demand because owning goats so significantly improves quality of life for Syrian refugees in Jordan. In tents and homes, we were offered milk, yogurt and cheese that had all come from the goats. A family spoke of saving the money they earned from selling goat dairy products to pay for surgery needed for their young son’s eye. These are refugee families that have lived in camps for 10+ years. For them, goats are part of a path to a better, sustainable future.

When we arrived in Ukraine, I reflected that appearances can be deceiving. On the surface, Lviv resembles any number of other beautiful, old European cities. But a few weeks before we visited, Lviv was directly attacked by Russian shelling. When we checked into our hotel, we were told the hours for breakfast, the location of the hotel restaurant—and the location of the hotel bomb shelter.

Ongoing attacks force ordinary Ukrainians to make tough choices. Hayley and I were with one of our partners as she dropped her daughter off to stay with family outside of Lviv—she considered it safer than having her daughter with her in the city. Another partner, whose wife had recently given birth, spoke of women in labor at the local hospital needing to be moved to the basement for safety during the attack—and that is where some women gave birth. And, on our bus out of Ukraine to Poland, we sat behind a young mother and her two young children, all in tears as they said goodbye to their father. He, like most Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 and 60, cannot legally leave the country because of a general mobilization order.

Mary (left) visited the LHI Women’s Shelter in Ukraine with LHI Founder and Director Hayley Smith and LHI COO Walker Frahm.

The psychological and physical impact of the ongoing war across the whole of Ukraine’s population is enormous. But LHI is making a real difference in the lives of Ukrainians via services such as food distribution to internally displaced persons (IDPs), psychological support programs, and a shelter providing housing for those needing assistance.

One consistent element in both Jordan and Ukraine was the complete commitment, dedication, and generosity of our local teams. As I met with members of these groups in person, I saw first-hand the strengths of LHI’s model of utilizing locals to get the work done. Each team is intimately familiar with, and personally involved in, assessing needs and providing aid. Our local teams work creatively, collaboratively, and tirelessly to provide solutions that are tailored to these needs, emphasizing stability and sustainability. On a personal level, each group went out of their way to welcome our team with meals, fellowship and smiles.

Mary helped prepare food boxes for distribution to displaced families in Ukraine.

I can’t close this note without touching on the laughter and communion that provide moments of joy throughout this trip. Whether it was sharing underground dining, a theme that ran throughout the trip (we ate in a cave, a WWII bunker and the basement shelter), or the many hours spent in a bus twilight zone (if you know, you know), or desperately seeking 30 Polish groszy (to be able to use the bathroom in the aforementioned twilight zone), this was a group of people who were able to find the humor in everything. When the situations you are witnessing can be so intense, laughter becomes a true gift.

Mary (left) shares a meal with LHI Founder and Director Hayley (2nd from left) and the rest of the LHI crew at the LHI Women’s Shelter in Ukraine.

This trip made a lifetime of difference to me. The key takeaway I came home with is how directly impactful LHI’s work is. I don’t think anyone can have this experience without coming away with a tremendous sense of pride in all that the entire LHI team is doing and has accomplished.

Thank you LHI!

How Stuff Works: Responding to the Dam Catastrophe in Ukraine

by Brigid Rowlings, LHI Communications Director

Our teams continue to pump flood water out of homes and businesses. Serhii (middle), LHI’s Ukraine country director, has coordinated a huge response. 

There are two fundamental truths when it comes to refugee work:

1. No single organization can tackle a crisis alone.

2. Refugees and displaced people understand their own needs best.

When we combine these two truths, we arrive at one of LHI's signature approaches: Providing high-level operational expertise to our local teams.

Our Ukraine response is a perfect example of this. We've set up ten operating centers throughout the country that we run with our local teams, each of whom provides a myriad of services.

When Russian forces destroyed Kakhova Dam in the Kherson region of Ukraine, 545,000 acres of rich farmland and villages were flooded with water that quickly became toxic from decomposing wildlife, chemicals and floating explosives. People needed rescuing from flooded homes and taken to shelters. Many people needed medical attention, including treatment for hypothermia and shock. 

The team at the LHI Operating Center in Kherson hunkering down in their basement during a shelling attack.

As it happens, one of our ten operating centers is located right in the heart of Kherson. Our Ukraine Country Director Serhii immediately called our team to see what we could do. Within a couple of hours, we were evacuating people from the floods by boat. And a few days later, we purchased an industrial-quality truck to pump toxic water out of flooded homes. Simply put, there is no way we could’ve done this on our own, without our team in Kherson. 

The NGO Hub in Kyiv became an emergency response center.

Our response to the flood extended beyond our operating center in Kherson. For example:

• The LHI Shelter in Lviv has taken in people displaced by the flooding. 

• Our partner forPeace organized a shipment of water filters to protect flood survivors from contaminated water. 

• We turned our NGO Hub in Kyiv into a coordination center and temporary aid collection point for response to the disaster. 

• And, we were surprised to learn that a frontline hospital we’d supplied medical equipment to used those very supplies to treat flood victims who suffered hypothermia.

Our teams sourced boats and fuel to rescue people stranded in flood waters.

LHI's rapid, efficient, and effective response to the humanitarian emergency caused by the Kakhova Dam rupture was made possible through strong partnerships with local people and organizations.

Learn more about our commitment to empowering ordinary Ukrainians to assist their fellow citizens in need and support our cause by donating towards the purchase of essential items. Visit our Ukraine response page by clicking here.

The LHI Difference: Humanitarian Aid From Person to Person

by Brigid Rowlings, LHI Communications Director

Edu, LHI’s Director of Field Operations in Moldova, distributes toys to Ukrainian refugee children.

Yesterday morning, I was busy getting the kids ready for school. As usual, I had one AirPod in so that I could catch Morning Edition while also fielding breakfast requests and packing snack bags. My ears perked up when I heard the intro to a story about how the Turkish city of Sanliurfa is using lessons learned from welcoming Syrian refugees to assist people displaced by the earthquakes.

As I listened, the words of an interviewee, Ali Altin, who runs a distribution center in Sanliurfa, caught my attention. He observed that Syrian war refugees and earthquake survivors share this similarity: “Families who have never wanted for anything before in their lives are suddenly in need of a single diaper, and you can sense they don’t know how to tell you what they need and are almost apologetic for asking.”

This statement brought me back to a voice memo Edu, LHI’s Director of Field Operations in Moldova, sent me a few weeks back about why he thinks it is important that he is there, on the ground, when aid is distributed. And, since Edu took a good deal of time to send me the voice memo, I’ll let him take the lead in telling you why LHI’s practice of having team members at humanitarian aid distributions as often as possible is so important.

Edu often opens boxes of aid with beneficiaries. This gives him an opportunity to talk with people and to better understand their situation and their needs.

Being present at distributions brings humanity and dignity to a moment that is quite delicate.

Edu told me, “I think that asking for humanitarian aid, asking for help is something that can be humiliating. It makes people feel vulnerable and nobody likes it. So that is the starting point. And I think if I am there, wearing LHI gear, representing the organization, it brings some humanity to this process, and makes the beneficiaries feel better because they know it's from human to human.”

Edu also shared that some NGOs unload boxes of aid and leave. He said that the effect of this is that: “they don’t even know refugees faces. This could be quite undignifying for them, for the people who receive the support, and that is unfortunately how it works usually. They just load a truck with stuff, send it to the village where there is need, unload it, and that is it. People don’t even know where these things come from, who donated, and probably they get a feeling that the donors don’t care much about them. 

When I take part in a distribution, people can say thank you to me. That brings a bit of dignity and humanity in the process- in this moment that is quite delicate.

Refugees remember more about LHI. There is a person who makes the moment more memorable. It makes it a nicer experience.”

Edu spent some time playing with Ukrainian children sheltering in the dorms at university in Chisinau, Moldova. Edu got the idea to set up a playroom when he saw the children playing in the narrow corridors during an aid distribution.

Meeting beneficiaries helps LHI to get to know them, to better understand their needs, and to help them get the aid and services they are not able to get anywhere else.

Edu told me that when he is present at distributions, “I get to know the real situation. I get to see where the refugees live and what are their needs. I get to talk to them. I get to listen to them. I could not have such a grasp on their lives if I were not there.”

Edu’s presence at one distribution led to one of LHI’s coolest projects in Moldova. He said: “When I distributed aid to a university [that shelters Ukrainian refugees in its dormitories], I saw the kids playing in the corridor and then I had the idea that maybe we could set up a playroom for these kids. That has been one of the most successful projects so far in Moldova, and that idea just sparked during a distribution.”

LHI founder and director Hayley Smith talks with a woman during a distribution of aid to earthquake survivors in Turkey.

LHI’s COO Walker echoed Edu’s sentiments recently in a staff meeting when he reflected on his recent visit to earthquake survivors in Turkey. He told us about a Syrian refugee he met who’d first lost three of her children in Syria because of the civil war, and had now lost six more children in the earthquake. She and other women and children were sleeping on the floor in a mosque. What they needed were mattresses so that they could get off of the cold, hard floor. Because of this conversation, LHI was able to provide the people sleeping in the mosque that small, but much needed, comfort.

LHI’s Walker, Jaron, and Hayley recently traveled through Turkey to personally distribute aid to earthquake survivors.

Walker also told us that he spent some time playing with the children who were sheltering at the mosque. He said, “There is not much for [earthquake survivors] to do.” Many people are not working because they’ve been displaced from their homes, or because their workplaces have been destroyed, or because supply chains have been greatly disrupted. Children are not in school because buildings are damaged or teachers have been killed or displaced. In light of this, Walker said, “It feels very valuable to play with the kids and engage them.”

LHI’s Ukraine country director Serhii (he’s the one with the sunglasses on his head) recently traveled to Kherson where he met with volunteers who serve their community and affected villages at great risk to themselves. Meeting people and forming partnerships is how LHI gets its work done.

The relationships and partnerships that pave the way for LHI to do its work are forged on the ground.

Serhii, our Ukraine country director, puts this best. He told me:

“A partnership isn't built by phone calls, emails, or agreements. It is forged on dusty roads and in destroyed villages. [Before joining LHI], I was doing massive projects with dozens of teammates and thousands of beneficiaries, and it was easy to lose the sense of human connection. My job isn't about metric tons or quantity; that's about connecting the dots and ultimately bringing people together. That's why I travel with our fantastic partners, whenever possible, to the most affected areas. We drive, unload aid and sometimes seek shelter together.

Now I can see the hard work of our partners, share the team spirit and remind myself about the very essence of humanitarianism. We build hope, empower people, and come together as a big family.”

And I think Serhii hits the nail on the head: the essence of humanitarianism is seeing the humanity in our beneficiaries and partners and working together to provide the things people need to maintain or rebuild their sense of dignity and self-sufficiency.

If you’d like to learn more about our team , our work, and how you can help, please visit our website!

Conversations In Ukraine

by Hayley Smith, LHI Founder and Director

The LHI team holds a meeting by candlelight at a cafe in Odessa.

LHI founder and director Hayley Smith visited Ukraine in December to visit our operating centers and assess the needs of everyday Ukrainians. Here, she shares some of the conversations she had when she was on the ground.

Odessa, southwestern Ukraine

Me: “I can’t hear you!”

Colleague: “What?”

Me: “I CAN’T HEAR YOU!”

Colleague: “IT’S BECAUSE OF THE GENERATORS”

Me: “I KNOW!”

This is how conversations in Odessa, Ukraine go these days. With regular power outages, people have resorted to power generators. Loud power generators! Every business and every apartment complex is running a generator. Street lights aren’t hooked up to a generator, which is why we pass a few minor car crashes along on our way to a meeting in a local cafe.During that meeting, the city power came back on. The cafe staff turned off the generator as I was mid-sentence. I realized I’d been yelling over the generator. But about ten minutes later, everything went dark again and the  ‘ol generator roared to life once again.

A dedicated but exhausted surgical nurse in Kryvyi Rih.

Kryvyi Rih, eastern Ukraine

Doctor: “May I please ask you something?”

Me: “Of course!”

Doctor: “Please do not post any of the pictures of the hospital from the outside.”

Me: “Oh okay, no problem.”

Doctor: “It is because the hospital is a target, you see.”

Two of the maxillofacial surgeons at the hospital.

We had just toured the facial reconstruction surgical department at a hospital near the frontlines. We met and talked to two patients who’d recently had surgery. The first was a lady who’d been caught in crossfire and shot in the face from a distance. Because she lived in an occupied part of Ukraine, she couldn’t get proper help until her town was liberated 5 months later. Another man’s jaw was severely damaged by shrapnel. The surgeons did their best considering the frontlines were a couple miles away and casualties were flowing in every day. There was a time where all of the hospital staff just slept at the hospital. 

The kind man who shared his story with us.

Irpin, Ukraine (near Kyiv)

Me: “It was so nice to meet you.”

Local man: “My child, I survived the occupation, but will I survive the winter?”

Me: “Of course you will.”

Local man: “Are you sure?”

The team of two friends on the right survived the occupation. They showed us pictures of the damage to an apartment block that they are now repairing.

Occupying forces killed about 300 people in Irpin, most of whom were men. Not fighting men. Just civilians like the man whose hand I was grasping. He had the clearest blue eyes and, at the age of 65, somehow survived when so many others didn’t. After the liberation of Irpin in late March 2022, he and a close friend had taken on a pretty ambitious project of rebuilding a central apartment block that had sustained major damage. It helped him focus on the future rather than remembering the horrific things he witnessed. So, there we stood looking up at the building and all of the repairs, never letting go of each others' hands until I had to move on to the next stop on our humanitarian visit to Ukraine.

News from Ukraine: Medical Needs Challenge A Country At War

by Brigid Rowlings, LHI Communications Director

Dr. Aragon Ellwanger assesses a Ukrainian civilian badly injured by shrapnel.

How do civilians seek medical care when their country is at war? This question drew me up short. Hospitals must treat those injured by war, in addition to people who require urgent and long-term care for run-of-the-mill illnesses and injuries. 

Battery powered incubators arrived from LHI to Ukrainian hospitals last month.

Babies

I had intense and unrelenting contractions when I was in labor with my son 10 years ago, and that was without power outages, supply shortages, and lack of heating that so many maternal wards experience in Ukraine. This is why LHI distributed battery-operated incubators to maternity hospitals and NICUs in Ukraine, with the help of Smart Aid. (Readers, remember that this is Brigid writing, not Hayley! Hayley does not have a secret child). 

Health care workers at a surgical clinic near the front lines recently gave our Ukraine country director, Serhii, a tour of their clinic.

ICUs

Serhii, our Ukraine country director, recently visited a frontline surgical clinic in eastern Ukraine. He spoke with Anna, Director of Surgery, who left her job in Kyiv to care for cancer and ICU patients whose treatments were on hold while war injuries were rushing in. With Anna’s guidance and Serhii’s expert fact-finding skills, LHI, in cooperation with our friends at Dead Lawyers Society (yup, it’s a play on the movie Dead Poets Society) funded essential laparoscopic surgical equipment to help Anna and other doctors meet ICU patient needs. 

Dr. Aragon Ellwanger considers how best to treat a civilian patient with a war-related injury.

Civilian war injuries

Face-altering shrapnel and bullet wounds are now commonplace injuries at frontline clinics. I recently talked with Britta Ellwanger from ForPEACE, who works day and night to help on the frontlines. Her brother Dr. Aragon Ellwanger, a United States Air Force trained oral maxillofacial surgeon with experience treating frontline trauma wounds, joined her in Ukraine to assess needs at a frontline hospital. 

He immediately noticed a patient, Volodymyr, whose jaw had been severely damaged by shrapnel. Even after surgery at the local hospital, his jaw had been sewn shut for three months, and he had lost 40 pounds. This is because, well, "how to repair bone shredded by shrapnel" or "how to reconstruct jaws shattered by bullets" are not typical courses in medical school. Another factor in the less-than-ideal surgical outcomes is that a lot of the hospital’s surgical equipment was either outdated or not working

Dr. Ellwanger performed a corrective surgery to undo the first surgery and then reconstruct Volodymyr's jaw. Now he can open his mouth again, talk, eat food, etc. Volodymyr was lucky, however. Patients with severe trauma injuries across Ukraine have to wait months for any sort of treatment. In some cases, family and friends will raise at least $80,000 for a medical evacuation to Western Europe or the USA to receive treatment, but that is a rare case.

Training surgeons

The best solution is to train Ukrainian surgeons in oral maxillofacial wounds and to encourage hospitals to upgrade their equipment. Dr. Ellwanger has sourced a portable medical kit that he can take to frontline hospitals to train their surgeons to treat injuries unique to wartime. 

LHI is partnering with forPeace to cover the cost of this surgical equipment. We are excited that this project centers around training Ukrainian doctors and building the capacity of the healthcare system in Ukraine. We also know that this project will offer hope to hundreds of Ukrainian patients who have suffered devastating injuries.

If you’d like to learn more about this mobile surgical training project, please click here

News from Ukraine: An Apartment Complex in Dnipro Was Destroyed. LHI Was There.

by Brigid Rowlings, LHI Communications Director

This photo of an apartment complex that was hit by a Russian missile on Saturday, January 14 was taken by a partner on the ground who was there to distribute LHI aid to displaced residents.

On Monday morning, I opened my Slack messages to find that Serhii, LHI’s Ukraine country director, had sent video and pictures of an apartment complex in Dnipro that had been hit by a missile. I’ve always been a news junkie—something that now serves me well in my role as LHI communication director—so I’d been following Russia’s weekend attacks on Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Dnipro. But seeing the video and photos that Serhii sent along hit me so much harder and brought me so much closer to the reality of life in Ukraine right now.

According to the Associated Press, at least 29 civilians died as a result of the attack, and over 70 people were wounded. As of Monday morning, over 40 people were still missing. Of course, those numbers are staggering, especially since each represents one human life. The number that really stood out to me, however, was the number of people who had lived in the apartment complex—1,700—who were now homeless in the bitter Ukrainian winter.

What shook me further was reading in the Washington Post that Dnipro had been a refuge for displaced people from Russian-occupied Mariupol as well as Donetsk and Luhansk, areas on the front lines. I don’t know if any of the people who lived in the apartment building were people who’d fled Mariupol, Donetsk, or Luhansk. I do know that those people who had relocated to Dnipro in search of safety are now likely doing an impossible calculus as they try to figure out what to do next.

LHI arrived quickly to the emergency response station near the apartment complex in Dnipro. These boxes contain warm clothing, baby items, and personal care items—all things displaced residents lost.

It really hasn’t been easy immersing myself in all things Ukraine. I can’t imagine what it is like for my colleagues who live in Ukraine and neighboring Moldova or who visit Ukraine periodically to assess the needs on the ground. What keeps me going is knowing this work matters. When I see images of boxes of aid with the Lifting Hands International label sitting just yards away from the apartment building that was bombed, I know that telling all of you about the work that Lifting Hands International does matters. I want you to know that because of you, our supporters and volunteers, and the partnerships we’ve worked so hard to establish on the ground in Ukraine, almost overnight we had sleeping bags, socks, personal hygiene items, diapers and other essentials ready to distribute to the people who had lost everything. This is no small thing. 

Thank you for continuing to read the stories we share with you and to care about not only Ukrainian people, but all people who could use a lifting hand.

To learn more about our emergency response in Ukraine, click here.