When Nataliia’s phone rang in the early hours of February 24th, 2022, she had no idea her life was about to change forever. On the other end of the line, an acquaintance delivered the news: Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine had begun.
Fearing for their safety, Nataliia and her husband left their home and went to her 85-year-old mother’s house on the outskirts of Chernihiv, hoping it would be safer than the city center.
We thought it would be quieter there. But we were wrong, there was constant shelling.
For ten days, Nataliia and her family endured relentless shelling, trapped between advancing Russian troops and Ukrainian forces. When a brief window of calm appeared, they fled, first to the center of Chernihiv, and then, as the danger grew, they made the decision to leave the city and head to the Zhytomyr region. On March 25, 2022, a shell hit their house, completely destroying it along with the surrounding area.
Nataliia holds up a photo of their home after it was destroyed by a missile. In the background, the newly renovated house stands as a symbol of resilience.
© European Union, photographer - Oleksandr Ratushniak
When Russian troops retreated, Nataliia returned to the city, but they couldn’t reach their house immediately, they had to wait for the area to be cleared of mines. “At first, we were not thinking about rebuilding the house, we just wanted to clean up the debris. But one afternoon, I saw my neighbor clearing her yard, trying to restore what she could. It inspired me to take action.” With support from her elderly mother, who continues to offer not just help but also her wisdom, Nataliia began to rebuild their home.
Nataliia and her mother, side by side through it all.
© European Union, photographer - Oleksandr Ratushniak
With the help of an emergency livelihood grant from Acted, funded by the European Union, Natalia and her mother were able to restart their agricultural activities in their garden. They built two greenhouses and what began as a way to restore their livelihood has grown into something more, a source of strength, stability, and hope for the future.
© European Union, photographer - Oleksandr Ratushniak
This grant was so important to us. It was a new beginning. Thanks to the greenhouses, we can grow vegetables and flowers, and now we sell them across Chernihiv city. With spring coming, we’re getting ready to plant even more. There’s something to look forward to again.
Like Nataliia, many people living in frontline regions have seen their homes and livelihoods destroyed by the war. Thanks to the support from the European Union, Acted has provided emergency livelihood grants to 989 households in rural, war-affected communities across Ukraine since 2024. These grants aim to help restore livelihoods, create new sources of income, and support recipients in sustainably achieving a living wage.
Les opinions exprimées sont toutefois celles des auteurs et ne reflètent pas nécessairement celles de l’Union européenne ou des opérations de protection civile et d’aide humanitaire européennes. Ni l’Union européenne ni l’autorité qui accorde la subvention ne peuvent en être tenues responsables.