Ivanna Bedei, an Information and Communication Associate in Ukraine, based in Kyiv covering Ukraine and Moldova for the European Union’s humanitarian aid office.
Ivanna joined the EU Humanitarian Aid team in Ukraine in early 2023, a year after Russia’s full-scale invasion. She had already volunteered and worked to support Ukraine’s critical energy needs, but it never felt enough.
‘I knew I needed to do more,’ Ivanna says. ‘I couldn’t join the military, though I considered it, so I wanted to find a place where my skills could truly help my country. That place became the EU Humanitarian Aid office in Kyiv.’
A personal mission
For Ivanna, the work is deeply personal. Every day, she helps Ukrainians who have lost homes, livelihoods, and loved ones to a war that refuses to end. In her communications role, she carries a vital responsibility: reminding the world, especially Europe, that the war continues, that Ukrainians are still fighting, and that support is essential.
The humanitarian situation on the ground is grim and relentless. ‘Daily Russian strikes destroy homes and leave people without shelter. The front line keeps shifting, turning towns into ghost cities. Fighting is intensifying, making life in frontline areas almost unbearable, while making humanitarian access even more difficult.’
‘For many people, aid is the only way to survive one more day, hoping tomorrow might be different.’ Ivanna sighs.
EU support making a difference
EU support is changing lives in tangible ways. An elderly woman from Chernihiv, who survived the occupation but lost her cow during a strike, was able to buy a new one through EU cash assistance, restoring both food and income. In the same region, a school damaged by a Russian tank in March 2022 now serves hundreds of children daily in safe, fully equipped classrooms. Near Sumy, a solar power station installed with EU funding keeps the local water supply running, ensuring thousands of people have clean water even as attacks on critical infrastructure continue.
‘Every EU-funded humanitarian project in Ukraine changes someone’s life for the better,’ Ivanna claims.
Stories of resilience
The encounters that stay with her are both heart-wrenching and inspiring. ‘Every meeting with Ukrainians who’ve received assistance is emotional. The stories we witness break your heart and make you question humanity. But they also remind you how strong and determined people are. After unimaginable horrors, they stand up, gather their strength, and keep going.’
Her motivation comes from the people themselves. ‘As a Ukrainian, I consider myself lucky. My family is relatively safe, my home hasn’t been hit, I have a stable job.’
‘Millions of my fellow citizens have lost all of this. I see it as my duty to do everything in my power to support them. This is my way of fighting for my country and my people.’
A call for continued support
Ivanna also wishes Europeans understood the ongoing reality of the war. ’Russia’s war against Ukraine is far from over. Every single day, innocent civilians are killed. In Kherson, those who remain live under conditions that resemble a”human safari,“ targeted by drones aimed at civilians. Another town or village is being wiped off the map even as we speak. The suffering is real, and far worse than words can convey. That’s why EU assistance and humanitarian support are more important now than ever.’
Even amidst devastation, she finds hope in small victories and daily resilience. She recalls families returning to repaired homes, children laughing in newly rebuilt schools, and community volunteers stepping in to keep essential services running despite danger.
Every project funded by the EU, from cash assistance to healthcare, from water systems to educational support, is a lifeline that helps Ukrainians reclaim a sense of normalcy in a war that has upended everything.
Looking to the future, Ivanna holds onto hope for a free and independent Ukraine.
‘I hope that one day, all of us who have lived through this war will again experience peaceful life without sirens, explosions, or children’s funerals. I hope we’ll be able to mourn those we’ve lost and rebuild our country for those fighting today.’
‘And I hope the world continues to stand with us because every day, that support saves lives.’
Above all, her story is one of perseverance, courage, and commitment. Despite overwhelming challenges, Ivanna remains a witness, a communicator, and a fighter, ensuring the world does not forget the people still enduring the war’s daily horrors. Her work is a testament to what one person can do to give hope, amplify voices, and keep the flame of humanity alive in the darkest of times.
