From Evacuation to Recovery in Ukraine
More than four years after Russia’s invasion, intense attacks continue in Ukraine and lives are at risk every day. Peace Winds is running a range of support programs to aid the most vulnerable civilians, helping people reach safety and rebuild their lives and livelihoods.
Many evacuees from the front-line areas first arrive at temporary shelters in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, in eastern Ukraine, before moving on to longer-term shelters or relatives’ homes. However, nearly half of those arriving face mobility challenges. They include older adults, people with disabilities, and parents with babies and small children. They often cannot reach safety on their own without assistance from others. Many also cannot afford public transportation because they have lost their livelihoods.
To fill this gap, Peace Winds launched an emergency transport service earlier this year, using a van that has wheelchair access. It can take evacuees safely to shelters or other destinations they choose, including friends’ or family’s homes. Our staff speak with each evacuee and coordinate with temporary shelters and other partners to ensure that everyone reaches their destination and gets their specific needs met. Many riders have told us how much they appreciate the care they received, saying that the program has been invaluable to them.
Getting people to safety is only the first step. Rebuilding livelihoods for Ukraine’s citizens depends on restoring its infrastructure. So Peace Winds also offers training for aspiring electricians who want to help restore and maintain Ukraine’s critical infrastructure damaged in the war. Hands-on field training recently began in Chernihiv, in northern Ukraine, and trainees are building their skills through practical experience on-site. Many of these participants are women.
Our support does not end with the training itself. Peace Winds helps participants turn their new skills into jobs that strengthen their communities’ recovery and rebuilding. Our local staff connect with community members in person to guide them through long-term planning, and they share information through television, radio, and other channels. Through all of this, our team aims to help participants take steps toward both a new life and a new job that contributes to Ukraine’s recovery.
With the war still going on, Peace Winds will continue to listen to the people of Ukraine and provide the humanitarian assistance they need to rebuild their lives. We are grateful for your support.