War, power cuts, freezing temperatures: Ukrainians are going through one of the most arduous winters in recent history after Russian attacks have left millions without reliable access to electricity and heating.

In 2022, the EU and its Member States were among the leading donors of humanitarian aid in the world.

In the early hours of 6 June, an explosion destroyed a critical infrastructure in southern Ukraine – the Nova Kakhovka dam. This vast amount of water was unleashed downstream along the Dnipro river, flooding dozens of settlements.

Volodymyr is a humanitarian worker who has been working for the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations in Kyiv since 2016.

2 young brothers, Hennati and Ivan, are back on their feet and lend a helping hand to others.

On the morning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, 34-year-old public servant Viktoriia from Dnipropetrovsk oblast went to work as on any other day.

Sophia – ‘wisdom’ in Greek - is one of 5 fully equipped ambulance buses that will go to different parts of Ukraine. They have been contributed by Norway and are delivered via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

Almost 1 month has passed since Russia launched its war of aggression on Ukraine. Since the start of the invasion, the EU has been working around the clock to provide emergency relief to those in need.

A year ago, this maternity hospital in Chernihiv, northern Ukraine, was surrounded by Russian forces. But despite the shelling, the maternity ward did not stop its operations for a single day.

“For a year, I felt homeless. I am so grateful to these people for repairing my roof and windows,” says Oksana, resident of the Obukhovychi village in Northern Ukraine.

In eastern Ukraine, the ongoing conflict continues to cause damage to housing, schools, health facilities and water and electricity supply.

“We’ve lost everything. But one day, we will return home.” These words are most often heard in conversations with senior Ukrainians who have been suffering from the Russian invasion since February 2022.

The EU, together with its partners, supports Ukraine with emergency assistance, both humanitarian aid and civil protection.

“War is the most terrible thing in the world.” Polina, a 19-year-old student from Ukraine, left Ukraine on the first day of the Russian invasion.

Feeling safe and being social are crucial for children in times of war. Kindergarten children in Slavutych, in northern Ukraine, will be safe in a bomb shelter that was restored and equipped by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

19 June marks the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. On this occasion, learn about the work of Kateryna, a crisis psychologist who has been providing assistance to people affected by sexual violence in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Faced with huge destruction to civilian infrastructure, the UN’s Refugee Agency (UNHCR), with EU humanitarian aid support, carries out repairs to family homes in Ukraine where the impact goes far beyond bricks and mortar.

With the start of Russia's full-scale war on Ukraine, Andriy and his fellow firefighters found themselves on their own battlefield. Every day, they fight for the people whose homes have been destroyed by Russian troops.

The war in Ukraine has spiralled into a fully-fledged humanitarian catastrophe.