With SlovakAid’s support, we are improving food security in Ukraine

People in Need Slovakia in partnership with NEEKA in Ukraine is implementing the project “Providing material assistance to people affected by the conflict in Ukraine to ensure their basic living needs”. The project is financially supported by SlovakAid and its main objective is to increase food security for the internally displaced population in two areas in the west of Ukraine – Zakarpattia and Ivano-Frankivsk regions.

The search for safety in the west of the country

Thanks to the project, we are redistributing up to 6,000 food parcels to families who have been forced to flee their homes due to attacks and violence and seek greater safety in the west of the country. Some of these families have been living in Zakarpattia or Ivano-Frankivsk region for several months, while others are currently arriving or being evacuated from combat zones such as the town of Bakhmut. However, among the beneficiaries there are also families who are trying to return to their original areas, but the situation has forced them to leave their homes again – among them is Yulia Tereliuk from the Bucha district in the Kyiv region.

The story of Julia

Today, Yulia lives with her children in a collective centre in Zakarpattia. Since 24 February 2022, when Russian troops invaded Buche and its surroundings, her family has lived under occupation for two weeks. When it became unbearable, Yulia, her husband, sister and children took a risk, left the house and walked 7 kilometres through the forest until they met Ukrainian troops who took them to the railway station. They had nowhere else to go, but eventually made it to Zakarpattia. After two months, they returned home, but intense rocket attacks started again and the family was left in fear without electricity, gas or heating. Moreover, the teaching process in the schools stopped, so Yulia and the children left again for Zakarpattia. Yuliya is very grateful for the food aid.

To feel that there are people who care about you and your family is very encouraging.

Julija

The need for comprehensive and long-term support

A year has passed since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but internally displaced people due to the war are still arriving in western Ukraine. Whereas a year ago people were coming mainly as a result of the initial shock of the war and the associated insecurity, today it is mainly Ukrainian women and men who have and who have survived the violence, lost loved ones, homes and property. Today’s new arrivals come from areas most affected by the fighting as well as from occupied or newly liberated territories, and therefore need comprehensive and long-term support.

In the winter months the needs increased

Zakarpattia currently has the highest number of collective centres in the whole country and is home to almost 400,000 IDPs, while in Ivano-Frankivsk region the number is around 140,000. During the winter months, when the needs increased significantly and the situation worsened due to lack of electricity and heat, we have already helped almost 3,000 families and 10,000 individuals thanks to SlovakAid support, and we will continue with the distribution in the coming months.

People in Need Slovakia is implementing the project “Providing material assistance to people affected by the conflict in Ukraine to ensure their basic living needs” in partnership with NEEKA in the period from 9/2022 to 4/2023 thanks to the financial support of SlovakAid.