In the village of Vyshka in Zakarpattia, Western Ukraine, kids’ laughter echoes through the deep valley. The youthful cheers can be attributed to the displaced children between ages 6 to 16 who gathered at Hungarian Interchurch Aid’s autumn camp in the Carpathian Mountains. With ACT Alliance’s support, experiences of carefree childhood and mental healing are…
Far from the concrete jungle, embraced by the forest, rivers, and in close proximity to the mountains, a recreation centre is hosting a summer day camp for children. We are near Ivano-Frankivsk, a city in western Ukraine, where many displaced people found a new home after fleeing the war in the east of the country….
Children need to be children – no matter the circumstances. Whether they are displaced within Ukraine, or had to flee their home country completely, HIA aims to bring respite to their life, making them forget – even if only for a day or two – that they are far away from the place they once…
Made up by containers, the shelter “modular city” in Lviv, Western Ukraine has become a safe haven for about 1,000 Ukrainians fleeing the war in the east. The neat and modern shelter is also home to many kids – which can be immediately noticed upon entering its courtyard and playground area. Children on rollerblades, bicycles…
Western Ukraine, and especially Lviv has experienced a huge influx of people ever since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Many have fled to other countries – via Poland, Slovakia or Hungary – but close to 300,000 decided to stay in the city and surroundings, creating a huge need for accommodation. Out of this need…
Olha and Dmytro have lost everything but their lives. Fleeing a small mining town in Donetsk region, they ended up in a shelter for internally displaced in Bohuslav, Kyiv region, hundreds of miles from their now lost home. As time passed, the shelter conditions became unbearable for them and their two sons, aged 10 and…
“I get eight thousand hryvnias (about 200 euros) after two kids. I have to cook separately for my younger son for health reasons, and I can see my daughter has psychological problems after all that we have gone through,” says Natalia when explaining how she tries to look after her children. The situation of the…
After the Russian withdrawal, the people of Kherson face new hardships in exchange for their freedom. The town was cut off from all utilities by Russian forces, leaving residents without electricity, water and heating as winter sets in. Although many are choosing to stay even in the almost total absence of services, the conditions in…