February 20, 2023
News
On 24 February, it will be one year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Since then, the war has left 15 million people without a roof over their heads. Millions more are still in need of humanitarian aid. What is the current situation in Ukraine and what are the people affected by the war going through? What is Caritas Czech Republic doing to help? Take a look at the online exhibition prepared for the sad anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine still needs humanitarian aid
Ljudmyla, 81, was happily enjoying her retirement at her cottage in Zelenodolsk, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. The peaceful retirement was ended by Russian missiles. "They kept shelling us. You know, rockets are like rain," Ljudmyla sadly recalls the time when she and other people took shelter in the cellar. The favourite cottage where she spent her days no longer exists. It was destroyed by bombing. Ljudmyla fled to western Ukraine, where she survives in a two-room apartment with four other relatives.
There are millions of stories like this one. According to the UN, 18 million people in Ukraine are in need of humanitarian aid. Over 8 million have fled to safety across the border, and millions more remain displaced, particularly in the west of Ukraine, which is considered the safest part of the country. But even here, locals are suffering the effects of Russian aggression. Russian attacks on infrastructure are causing massive power, water and gas cuts.
"Most people's homes have no heating, no electricity. Not a single street light is on. Locals are walking around town with headbands and children are wearing reflective vests," Kateřina Krejčová, Caritas Czech Republic's aid coordinator, describes from Ukraine.
"If Russian attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure continue, Ukraine faces a humanitarian disaster this winter. That is why it is so important to help people on the ground with the basic necessities of life," Krejčová adds.
To mark the sad anniversary of the war in Ukraine, we have prepared virtual exhibition mapping the milestones of our help to people affected by the Russian aggression.
Helping Ukraine from day one
Caritas Czech Republic has been helping people affected by the war in Ukraine since the first day of the conflict. We have repeatedly sent humanitarian aid to the country. In the west of the country, we have been helping people who had to flee their homes to escape Russian aggression. We have built modular houses to provide decent housing. We are also providing psychological aid to help people overcome trauma caused by the war in Ukraine.
