February 10, 2025
News
Soon, it will be three years since the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the escalation of the war that has affected millions of lives. Since the early days of the conflict, Caritas Czech Republic has been on the ground, helping those who need it most. In addition to providing humanitarian aid, we are increasingly focusing on restoring livelihoods and supporting long-term solutions. We are helping people not just to survive but to start living again.
Assistance where it is needed most
The Russian attack on Ukraine forced millions of people to leave their homes in search of safety—either abroad or in relatively secure areas in western Ukraine. From the beginning, Caritas Czech Republic has provided food, hygiene kits, shelter, and other essential supplies. When Russian attacks damaged critical infrastructure and left millions without electricity, we secured generators to help hospitals continue operating and providing care.
During the winter months, we distributed fuel and helped insulate homes damaged by the war so that people near the frontlines could endure the harshest conditions. We continue to supply residents of frontline areas with fuel for the winter. “We are very grateful that you deliver fuel to us even when there is shelling,” says Inna from the village of Bilozerka in the Kherson region.
With the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic and the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment of the Government of Ireland, we set up 6 collective sites in western Ukraine for evacuees from the war zone, conducted psychologist training, and provided psychological and financial support to more than 5,500 people.
When the Kakhovka Dam was destroyed, leaving local residents without drinking water, we helped restore water supply. In cooperation with our partner organisations, the New Dawn Charitable Foundation and IOM Ukraine, we built new wells, installed a water tower, repaired pipelines, provided hygiene kits, ensuring access to clean drinking water for more than 53,000 people.
In cooperation with ZOA Ukraine and with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, we have funded the reconstruction of more than 100 damaged private houses in the frontline areas of the Dnipro region.
Today, we are focusing not only on immediate relief but also on long-term support. We are helping people find jobs, start their own businesses, and regain stability. The war has left many without homes or livelihoods, which is why rebuilding livelihoods is crucial.
Restoring livelihoods: A fresh start for displaced families
Many people who had to flee their homes have settled in relatively safe areas in western Ukraine. Caritas Czech Republic is helping displaced people get back on their feet by providing grants so they can start or restart their own businesses, ensuring a better future for themselves and their families. Through the Livelihoods programme, 37 evacuees from the war zone and frontline areas received mini-grants to help them improve their qualifications, gain the necessary skills for employment, and develop their own businesses.
One of those who received support is Diana, originally from Kharkiv. She fled with her son after the blast wave from an explosion shattered the windows of their home. She found refuge in the town of Berehove in the Zakarpattia region, where Caritas Czech Republic helped her secure employment and further education. Thanks to a grant, she completed a training course in child neuropsychology and now helps children cope with war-related trauma.
Diana also participated in the “Cash for Work” programme, which allows displaced people to earn an income by carrying out minor repairs and maintenance in shelters and community centres. She helped renovate the dormitory of Berehove Lyceum, which will soon provide housing for nearly 200 people. The "Cash for Work" programme has already provided part-time work for more than 70 internally displaced people.
“This programme is a great support not only for me but also for other displaced people who struggle to find work,” says Diana. In the future, she dreams of opening her own centre for children’s development, where she could help even more families.
Safe and dignified shelter
As a result of the fighting in Ukraine, millions of people have lost their homes. For Ukrainians who have settled in the west of the country, we provide safe and dignified accommodation in modular houses. Among those living in such housing today is 45-year-old Olga, whose family home in the Kherson region was destroyed.
“If it weren’t for this opportunity, my income wouldn’t be enough to afford such good accommodation,” says Olga, who lives in a modular house with her four children.
For the comfort of the affected Ukrainians, we renovated 29 dormitories and collective sites, provided new furniture and appliances, and arranged living units for people with disabilities. In total, nearly 3,000 people got better living conditions in the new locations.
In addition, we have built 4 modular towns in Transcarpathia to temporarily accommodate evacuees from the war zone. Last year, we completed the construction of the fourth modular settlement in the village of Neresnytsia and renovated a four-storey dormitory in the town of Berehove in the Zakarpattia region. We also improved conditions in collective accommodation centres in Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk, where more than 1,200 displaced people now live in renovated spaces with modern facilities.
Inclusion and support for vulnerable groups
In Ukraine, we are also thinking of the most vulnerable. In the western part of the country, we helped to build an inclusive playground where all children can play together without barriers. Natalia, a mother of two children with disabilities, is grateful for this initiative. “My children have the right to be happy, to play with others, to develop, and not to be isolated. Thanks to Caritas Czech Republic, they now have such a place near our home,” she says.
Officially, in just two years of war, the number of people with disabilities in Ukraine has increased by 300,000 (10%) to over 3 million. The number of children with disabilities is rising, and people with disabilities face inadequate accessibility in public spaces.
Caritas Czech Republic is therefore focusing on improving living and recreational conditions for families evacuated from war zones to the west of the country, including internally displaced persons with disabilities.
Last year, we expanded our support to Dnipro, where we are working to improve access to rehabilitation and reproductive healthcare. With support from the Czech Development Agency (CzechAid), six rehabilitation centres will be modernised by the end of 2025, providing free care. Work has already begun, and medical staff are undergoing specialised training.
Support for refugees in Moldova and the Czech Republic
Since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, more than 800,000 people have fled to neighbouring Moldova. For most, it was a transit country, but around 120,000 Ukrainian refugees have remained in Moldova. The influx of refugees has placed a huge strain on the poorest country in Europe. Caritas has supported Moldova in assisting refugees. We have equipped refugee centres with essential supplies such as beds, blankets, washing machines, and refrigerators to ensure dignified accommodation for refugees.
We have provided immediate financial assistance to those who fled Ukraine to Moldova and ensured their access to healthcare, including crucial psychological support to help them cope with the trauma caused by the war.
We also support Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic.
Our help continues in 2025
In 2025, we continue to provide assistance across Ukraine. In addition to rebuilding livelihoods, we are supplying fuel, helping repair damaged homes, and supporting families who have lost everything. However, our help would not be possible without the support of donors. We thank everyone who chooses to help.
"Caritas Czech Republic continues to help people affected by the war - we provide acoommodation, basic needs, water supply and hygiene facilities and support the camp coordination and camp management sectors, particularly in war-affected areas," says Kamal Mirzayev, Country Director of Caritas Czech Republic in Ukraine. "Additionaly, we have expanded our expertise to the livelihoods, education, and health sectors, recognising their essential role in building resilience and supporting early recovery. We are focusing on long-term assistance and supporting locals to secure employment and get back on their feet," sums up Mirzayev.
In Ukraine, we are able to provide assistance thanks to the support of the Czech Development Agency, UNHCR, the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund (UHF), New Dawn, ZOA Ukraine, IOM Ukraine, and other partners.
Thank you for helping alongside us.
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