Displaced mother finds joy serving through the cash program in the war-torn regions of Ukraine

Khrystyna, 25, an internally displaced from Luhansk Oblast, southeastern Ukraine, comes daily to her new job with admirable dedication and commitment. She is registering internally displaced people (IDPs) for a cash program started in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast by Responsible Citizens, World Vision’s local partner.

Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA), supported by USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), in partnership with Acted Ukraine and the Ukraine Response Consortium, helps the most vulnerable in the most war-affected areas of Ukraine.  

“It gives me great purpose to know that I’m doing my small part in helping my fellow Ukrainians. We are all in dire need at this moment. Every help counts,” shares Khrystyna.

Her hometown, a small village in Luhansk Oblast, was where she, her husband, and their little baby were residing when the war started. They stayed for half a year in their house witnessing shelling, massive displacement, and loss.

You don’t know what will happen tomorrow, where you will live and how you will support your children. We’re dealing with a great amount of fear, uncertainty and loss. 

The family didn’t want to leave their community since they didn’t know where to go, even though they were in imminent danger due to the front line’s proximity.

“The internet and light immediately went off. We used the brief connection we had—only thirty seconds—to let our loved ones know we were still alive,” says Khrystyna.

The mother, who was expecting her second child, made the decision to evacuate after a shell felt a few meters away from their house.

It was already difficult to find fuel in town at that time. Luckily, some volunteers assisted them in reaching Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

Now her hometown lays in ruins. The family rents a two-room flat in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast where they live together with their two children, and two of her sister’s children, as she passed away.

Krystyna’s aspirations now revolve around keeping her family safe and obtaining a secure income. Her husband struggles to get a job. The small village where they currently reside does not provide any career opportunities.

“Social payments for IDPs will be cancelled. There will be many people who will be left without a source of income,” explains Khrystyna.

“You don’t know what will happen tomorrow, where you will live and how you will support your children. We’re dealing with a great amount of fear, uncertainty and loss,” she added.

According to the World Bank, 7,1 million Ukrainians are now living below the line of poverty.

To date, World Vision Ukraine Crisis Response has reached more than 432,000 people with cash assistance.

More than one million people in Ukraine, including children, women, and internally displaced were supported with basic needs services, psychosocial support, vouchers, protection, and education programs.

By Tetiana Dolhiier, Communications Officer