This February marks three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As the war continues, so does the suffering of millions.
Recent UN estimates report that nearly 12,500 civilians have been killed in the war - though it has repeatedly said its tally is an undercount, only including deaths they’ve been able to verify. It also estimates that some 12.7 million people are in need of multisectoral humanitarian assistance and, as of August 2024, 10.4 million people were displaced within the country or seeking safety beyond Ukraine’s borders. This suffering must not be ignored.
Through our partnership with The Andreiev Family Foundation in Ukraine, we continue to support mobile teams of psychologists to reach women survivors in areas that were formerly occupied by Russian forces, providing psychological support and skills training for internally displaced women to access new job opportunities. Together, we have also established a hotline for women survivors of sexual violence.
Anna Orel, who joined The Andreiev Family Foundation team at the start of the war, shares her testimony:
The war completely changed my life. First, I lost a very close person at the frontline. This loss hit me very hard. Second, like all Ukrainians, I experience drone attacks every day and frequent attacks with cruise missiles. Several times, Russian missiles have hit buildings a couple of kilometers away from me, and I could hear them whistling over my house. The blast wave from a drone damaged my house one night and I constantly live in fear that one night the Russians might kill me sleeping in my bed.
Women in Ukraine should not have to keep burying their sons, husbands and brothers. We should not have to live in uncertainty and suspense, shuddering at every message. We are haunted by fear for our loved ones. Women in Ukraine are learning to do everything – so-called “men’s” professions to replace those men at the front.
As they take on new jobs, they have also become the main providers for our families. All the responsibility for children and elderly relatives now often lies on us. We have to be strong all the time, even when it feels impossible; even when our husbands and sons are at the front.
Many women have also joined the ranks of the Ukrainian armed forces and are fighting on the front lines alongside men. Former kindergarten teachers, manicurists and hairdressers are now shooting down Russian missiles with portable anti-aircraft systems.
Living here, and throughout my role at The Andreiev Family Foundation, I see how women who have survived rape, captivity and torture learn to live anew.
They try to work, help similarly affected women, unite in networks and support each other. They talk about their experiences, share their pain to help others by their example. This female strength inspires me.
Even in the darkest times, there are people with light in their hearts.
I coordinate a project that helps people who survived conflict-related sexual violence, captivity, torture and occupation.
The assistance includes psychological, medical and financial support, as well as the payment of interim reparations to victims of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The experience of our organization – the work we do – is already valuable for our state. We are working to ensure that help is provided systematically on a government level. These are tens, even hundreds of thousands, of saved lives and families – the future of our country.
Sometimes I lose motivation to work – and then I remember what we have achieved. And I keep going.
But women being strong cannot be the end of the story. Learning about this war and our work, reading my testimony and sharing your sympathy cannot be where the international community ends their support. We need action.
Many partners and people around the world are losing motivation to help Ukraine because they are tired and do not see prospects for the end of the war.
However, I see how much people still need help.
Even beyond our own borders, our work is critical. There are many wars in the world – but Ukraine's experience in responding to this enduring crisis can be very valuable for other countries.
Please – donate to support women who are surviving this war and holding Ukraine together. Help us save lives and rebuild our country.
