Help for Ukraine
On 24 February 2022, the war in Ukraine began.
Russia’s invasion caused a humanitarian and refugee crisis, forcing millions of Ukrainians to lose their homes and safety. Many of them have died in this war, and many are still fighting for their survival.
Helping from Day One
Our help started at the Slovak-Ukrainian border. We provided food, drinking water, hygiene supplies, heated shelters and psychological help to people fleeing the war in Slovakia. After a few days, we managed to cross the border and establish ourselves in the Zakarpattia region, where most of the internally displaced people arrived. This allowed us to distribute aid directly in Ukraine even faster and more efficiently. During the three years of war, we have already helped Ukrainians in 13 regions – Chernihiv, Donetsk, Sumy, Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Kyiv, Chernivtsi, Cherkasy, Kherson, Zhytomyr, Ternopil and Poltava.
Since the beginning of the invasion, our aid in Ukraine has reached 250 000 people in need. It has taken the form of psychosocial support, providing heating for old people who have remained in their destroyed homes, and delivering material supplies, which have exceeded 3 900 tons over these three years. But our work does not stop here – on the contrary, we are determined to continue to stand by the Ukrainian people and help alleviate the daily suffering that the war brings them. Join us.
Support for Collective Centers
People who have been forced to flee their homes because of war attacks often seek refuge in safer parts of the country. Many find shelter in collective centres. However, these centers are often not adequately equipped for long-term living. Most residents belong to vulnerable groups – old people, individuals with disabilities and mothers with children. Some collective centers lack sufficient hygiene facilities, as well as food and water supplies, and several are in need of various forms of repair. As part of our activities, we provide deliveries of food and hygiene supplies, essential equipment, and necessary repairs to these facilities.
Repairs of protective shelters
Despite the constant attacks, people are trying to live a normal life – going to work or taking their children to school. Every educational institutions must be equipped with a safe shelter where children can continue learning during air alerts. However, many of these shelters are either missing or in extremely poor condition, with darkness, cold, damp and inadequate sanitation. Our Ukrainian team has improved the conditions of 27 protective shelters by renovating and repairing walls and floors, installing ventilation and insulation systems. We care about environments where children spend hours each day. That is why we make these spaces more comfortable and welcoming.
Support for education
One of the challenges caused by the war in Ukraine is a significant reduction in family budgets. Many parents are counting every cent. In many cases, men are on the front lines while women are left alone with several children are common. These families are extremely vulnerable and any financial help is crucial for them. School backpacks full of markers, pencils, pens, papers, notebooks or pencil cases, which we have already provided for hundreds of children, will help them in a difficult situation.
Psychosocial care
Living in a war country means constant pressure not only on physical but also on mental health. Both children and adults have lost loved ones and have faced various traumatic experiences over the past three years. That’s why we have carried out more than 12 300 interventions for 24 000 people. We organize community events, psychosocial support activities and rehabilitation camps for children and their mothers.
Preparing for winter
During the cold months, people in Ukraine face the fear of winter. Due to the constant attacks, there are often power cuts, leaving them without heating. Those who have fled their homes usually do not have winter clothing, and many who still live in their houses are without generators or fuel for heating. Last year, we delivered 42 tons of briquettes to old people in the Sumy area and provided winter clothing for 8 530 people in need.
How do we help Ukrainians in Slovakia?
Starting life in a new country, often without knowing the language, is challenging. For the past three years, we have been providing Ukrainians in Slovakia with legal and employment counselling, mentoring, language courses, and assistance in navigating administrative processes.
To provide accommodation and food is a low standard. People need assistance to integrate into our society. It is not enough to be in contact only for the first few days. They need accompaniment until they find a job and are able to become independent.
Lenka Zápotocká, Head of the Department of Social Integration Programmes at People in Peril
In 11 cities across Slovakia, we have opened Clubhouses – safe spaces created for people seeking advice, new friendships or social interaction and emotional relief. We organize various activities including language courses, individual and group tutoring, cultural programs, camps for children, as well as art therapy or music therapy. Our Clubhouses also offer a welcoming place for those who just need to relax, play a game, and build new friendships. These spaces help develop personal and social skills and help people overcome difficult life situations.
Do you need advice, information verification or help with interpreting from or into Ukrainian? Our helpline is here for you every working day from 9:00 to 17:00. We provide advice and verify information in Ukrainian language regarding humanitarian aid, volunteering, financial support, health care, migration, education, housing, work and support for our activities. You can also contact us if you need interpretation or translation at the doctor’s or office.
