By Katharina Bourgin, Communications Delegate, Canadian Red Cross
Today, Olena Lysogorov lives with her daughter Tatiana and her two grandchildren in a shelter in Cherkasy. The shelter has been renovated by the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, with the support of the Canadian Red Cross, to welcome those displaced by the conflict. Originally from the Donetsk region, she was living in the town of Kramatorsk when an explosion destroyed her home three years ago.
In many cases, people living in the most affected areas have had to leave everything behind– their homes, their belongings, and sometimes, even their loved ones.
“Everyone here is from the same region. We had to leave our homes and now we’re like a big family,” says Olena, pointing to the 15 rooms lining the corridors of the fifth floor. “It’s nice to be able to interact with people who understand us, who have the same mindset and who have lived through the same things. We all had to flee [the conflict] and by being here together, we can support each other. When someone has a problem, we rush to help. There is a very strong sense of mutual support and comfort. I hope that one day the conflict will come to an end,” she continues, turning her gaze to the window framed by plants. They bring her comfort and remind her of her life in Kramatorsk. She used to take care of four greenhouses filled with vegetables and flowers in her garden. She would admire their beauty. “I particularly liked the roses; they’re my favourite flowers.”
(Credit: Angela Hill - Canadian Red Cross)
“When we got here, we had almost nothing,” says Olena, whose personal belongings were able to fit in a plastic bag. “The Red Cross helped us a lot. We were given food, cooking utensils and hygiene kits, and the windows were replaced to protect us from the cold.”
As of February 2025, nearly four million people like Olena were still displaced inside Ukraine, according to the United Nations.
In the neighbouring Oblast of Poltava, the Ukrainian Red Cross Society’s close ties with local communities help their teams respond quickly to meet urgent needs. When an explosion destroyed a 50-unit apartment building in Poltava in the early morning of February 1, 2025, emergency teams from the Ukrainian Red Cross Society quickly arrived at the site to provide psychosocial support and first aid to those affected. Mattresses, blankets, pillows and bedding were also made available in a nearby school to shelter those who lost their home.
The emergency teams also brought in materials to help repair nearby buildings damaged by the blast.
(Credit: Angela Hill - Canadian Red Cross)
The solidarity in the community is strong. The offices of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society in Poltava are just a few hundred metres from the site of the explosion, and welcome neighbours who were quick to offer clothes and basic necessities. Among them are two young boys who carried bags full of things they want to donate to people who lost everything.
Thanks to donations from people living in Canada, the Ukrainian Red Cross Society is also providing financial support to households whose homes have been damaged so that they can make more permanent repairs. “This has been going on for three years now. This is not your pain, it’s ours. Yet help keeps coming in, and we’re very grateful. Without this help, Ukraine would not be able to hold on,” said Olena Sarzhevska, who lives near the destroyed building and came to the site with her mother a few days after the explosion to show solidarity with her neighbours.
People living here have had to adapt to a new reality and learn to live differently, a common thread to the stories of many people in Ukraine today. In addition to the individual support mechanisms developed by those whose lives have been disrupted by the armed conflict, the communities are supported by the Red Cross, which is well established within the communities.
(Credit: Angela Hill - Canadian Red Cross)
It’s a feeling shared by many people in Ukraine when the Red Cross is mentioned. “We feel less loneliness, and a lot of solidarity.” And with good reason — Ukrainian Red Cross Society personnel often endure the same difficulties as those they are helping, but together, they draw strength and support from comforting words and gestures of mutual support.
The Canadian Red Cross continues to support the Ukrainian Red Cross Society and other partners of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to help people affected by the conflict.
You can support ongoing humanitarian efforts by donating to the Ukrainian Humanitarian Crisis Appeal.
Visit our page on the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine to get the latest information and learn more about how the Canadian Red Cross is helping in Ukraine and surrounding countries.
Making Connections at the Toughest of Times
Today, Olena Lysogorov lives with her daughter Tatiana and her two grandchildren in a shelter in Cherkasy. The shelter has been renovated by the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, with the support of the Canadian Red Cross, to welcome those displaced by the conflict. Originally from the Donetsk region, she was living in the town of Kramatorsk when an explosion destroyed her home three years ago. In many cases, people living in the most affected areas have had to leave everything behind– their homes, their belongings, and sometimes, even their loved ones.
“Everyone here is from the same region. We had to leave our homes and now we’re like a big family,” says Olena, pointing to the 15 rooms lining the corridors of the fifth floor. “It’s nice to be able to interact with people who understand us, who have the same mindset and who have lived through the same things. We all had to flee [the conflict] and by being here together, we can support each other. When someone has a problem, we rush to help. There is a very strong sense of mutual support and comfort. I hope that one day the conflict will come to an end,” she continues, turning her gaze to the window framed by plants. They bring her comfort and remind her of her life in Kramatorsk. She used to take care of four greenhouses filled with vegetables and flowers in her garden. She would admire their beauty. “I particularly liked the roses; they’re my favourite flowers.”
(Credit: Angela Hill - Canadian Red Cross)
“When we got here, we had almost nothing,” says Olena, whose personal belongings were able to fit in a plastic bag. “The Red Cross helped us a lot. We were given food, cooking utensils and hygiene kits, and the windows were replaced to protect us from the cold.”
As of February 2025, nearly four million people like Olena were still displaced inside Ukraine, according to the United Nations.
Rebuilding One’s Life and Community
In the neighbouring Oblast of Poltava, the Ukrainian Red Cross Society’s close ties with local communities help their teams respond quickly to meet urgent needs. When an explosion destroyed a 50-unit apartment building in Poltava in the early morning of February 1, 2025, emergency teams from the Ukrainian Red Cross Society quickly arrived at the site to provide psychosocial support and first aid to those affected. Mattresses, blankets, pillows and bedding were also made available in a nearby school to shelter those who lost their home. The emergency teams also brought in materials to help repair nearby buildings damaged by the blast.
(Credit: Angela Hill - Canadian Red Cross)
The solidarity in the community is strong. The offices of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society in Poltava are just a few hundred metres from the site of the explosion, and welcome neighbours who were quick to offer clothes and basic necessities. Among them are two young boys who carried bags full of things they want to donate to people who lost everything.
Thanks to donations from people living in Canada, the Ukrainian Red Cross Society is also providing financial support to households whose homes have been damaged so that they can make more permanent repairs. “This has been going on for three years now. This is not your pain, it’s ours. Yet help keeps coming in, and we’re very grateful. Without this help, Ukraine would not be able to hold on,” said Olena Sarzhevska, who lives near the destroyed building and came to the site with her mother a few days after the explosion to show solidarity with her neighbours.
People living here have had to adapt to a new reality and learn to live differently, a common thread to the stories of many people in Ukraine today. In addition to the individual support mechanisms developed by those whose lives have been disrupted by the armed conflict, the communities are supported by the Red Cross, which is well established within the communities.
Breaking the Isolation, One Visit at a Time
For Nadiia Zmurko, who lives alone in her Poltava apartment, Olena Sykotyuk’s visits are a real treat. As a member of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society’s Home Support Program, the social worker lends a helping hand by doing her shopping, some light housework, and making sure she gets appropriate medical care. Having lost her daughter a few years ago, Nadiia looks forward to their meaningful discussions when Olena visits twice a week. “We are like family,” says Olena. “Nadiia reminds me of my mother,” she adds, looking at her fondly. (Credit: Angela Hill - Canadian Red Cross)
It’s a feeling shared by many people in Ukraine when the Red Cross is mentioned. “We feel less loneliness, and a lot of solidarity.” And with good reason — Ukrainian Red Cross Society personnel often endure the same difficulties as those they are helping, but together, they draw strength and support from comforting words and gestures of mutual support.
Support People Impacted in Ukraine and Surrounding Countries
The Canadian Red Cross continues to support the Ukrainian Red Cross Society and other partners of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to help people affected by the conflict. You can support ongoing humanitarian efforts by donating to the Ukrainian Humanitarian Crisis Appeal.
Visit our page on the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine to get the latest information and learn more about how the Canadian Red Cross is helping in Ukraine and surrounding countries.
