With the support of the Humanitarian Ukrainian Fund (UHF), Acted has provided multi-purpose cash assistance in Sumska Oblast. This initiative aims to ensure that the most vulnerable populations have access to essential needs and services.
Olena*, originally from Donetsk, was displaced with her parents in 2014 due to the conflict. Forced to leave behind everything they knew, the family relocated to a village in Sumska Oblast, seeking safety and stability. However, life in displacement has been far from easy.
Both of Olena’s parents live with disabilities. Her father suffers from severe leg issues caused by years of physically demanding labor in Donetsk’s coal mines. Her mother underwent a life-threatening surgery a decade ago and has since required continuous medical care. As the sole breadwinner, Olena juggles full-time work while also being the primary caregiver for her parents.
“We are blessed to have a house provided by my cousin, but affording basic necessities is still a struggle,” Olena shares. “The cost of firewood for winter is more than we can manage, especially since I am the only one working.”
Prices have risen sharply since the full-scale invasion, and I now spend much more on medicine for my parents. This cash assistance will help us stay warm and ensure my parents get the treatment they need.
When the full-scale war escalated in 2022, Olena faced a difficult choice, whether to flee or stay. “Evacuating my mother was nearly impossible because she cannot walk. We had no choice but to stay,” she recalls. Over the past three years, Olena and her parents have remained in the village, finding strength in their community.
Despite the hardships, their resilience has only grown stronger. “These have been the hardest years for our family, but we keep inspiring each other to move forward,” Olena says.
We are deeply grateful to organisations that stand with us, that do not abandon us. It’s not just about the assistance—it’s about knowing that someone cares, that we are not forgotten.
Thanks to the support of UHF, Acted’s multipurpose cash assistance helped almost 200 conflict-affected people in Sumska Oblast. This initiative provides families like Olena’s with the resources to meet their most urgent needs, reinforcing hope and resilience in the face of crisis.
* Names have been changed to protect the identity of the individuals.