Three years since the start of the war in Ukraine

By the end of 2024, over 3.7 million people remained displaced in Ukraine, with another 6 million seeking refuge abroad. The damage caused by the war to housing, infrastructure and mental health has created an urgent need for a rapid and timely response. An increasing number of families are coping with the loss of family members, mainly husbands, sons and fathers, while demobilized veterans are struggling to reintegrate into society.

To meet the needs of the people, Caritas Ukraine and Caritas Spes have quickly provided assistance to the conflict-affected regions.

The recovery programmes are in the following areas:

Providing emergency assistance to newly displaced persons, especially in the eastern regions.
• Providing psychosocial support and rehabilitation for civilians affected by the war and for veterans and their families. Supporting basic utilities, including water systems, electricity and winter supplies.

The personal stories of those who have lost their families and homes leave no one indifferent. The story of Petro Grigorovich, 76, from Kherson, is a story of loneliness, fear and hope:

‘I’m from Kherson. I worked in construction for 27 years as a master in the technical control department. After retiring, I occasionally worked in security.

My two daughters are in Poland. I have a son in Russia and one in Canada. They do call me. But today is a hard day—it’s been a whole year since I lost my wife, Lyubochka. First, she suffered a stroke. She needed medication, but she refused.

If only there were no war. What did we ever do to them? We lived through bombings and gas cuts. We had no heating. We moved to my in-laws’ apartment to survive. Then she had a heart attack.

I left Kherson. First, volunteers took me to Odesa, where I spent a month in an infectious disease hospital— I had a bacterial infection in my right leg. They said, “This is urgent; your leg needs to be amputated. We won’t be able to save it.”

Then I was brought to Ivano-Frankyvsk. I didn’t even know where I was going, but when I arrived, it felt like being born again. I’ve been here for three months now. It’s a wonderful place. The staff and the attendants are incredible. I’ve never met such kind people. I kiss their hands. They deserve all the best. When I arrived here, I felt worthless. But now, I feel human again.

I had no one back in Kherson. This place is my home. I don’t want to leave. I wish to take my last breath here.

I hope people in the Netherlands never experience this kind of sorrow, but they help others who do. That’s genuine kindness. I used to pray for my people, and now I will pray for people in the Netherlands as well.’

Caritas Bulgaria joins Caritas Europe’s appeal to remain united in our assistance to the people of Ukraine in these difficult times.

You can read more about the support we provide to refugees here.