Running to find shelter, even in metro stations. Power outages, freezing cold – the most difficult winter we can remember. Thousands of people fleeing their homes, the majority being women and children. Families torn apart by a devastating war.
1 year ago the Russian war in Ukraine began, and there’s still no end in sight.
The war in Ukraine has caused enormous suffering and triggered a humanitarian crisis. Since the start of the invasion, the EU has stood by the Ukrainian people through its emergency response.
Here are some examples of EU solidarity.
Victor and his family lost their house in the first weeks of the war in Ukraine.
An EU-funded temporary module house equipped with heating, a kitchen, bathroom, and beds is helping them stay warm during the harsh winter.
Olga’s house in Kherson oblast was destroyed in the war, as was her entire village. She is now sharing a room with 3 other women in a collective centre in Mykolaiv.
EU-funded cash assistance is helping her through the cold season.
Yevhen from Kharkiv reflects on Russia’s missiles landing on his building: "Everything fell apart. We went up and looked, but there were no windows. The breeze is blowing, it is very cold. Very cold."
EU-funded repairs help replace destroyed windows with new ones.
The largest EU civil protection operation ever
To help Ukraine when they most need it, the European Commission is coordinating its largest ever operation under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
All 27 EU countries (plus Iceland, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Türkiye) have offered assistance ranging from medical supplies and shelter items to vehicles and energy equipment.
The EU has established logistical hubs in Poland, Romania, and Slovakia to channel the items to Ukraine more efficiently.
In Ukraine since 2014
The Commission’s European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department has been present in Ukraine since February 2014.
EU humanitarian officers working in the country coordinate and share information with our partners on the ground.
Our humanitarian funding has significantly increased due to the scale of the needs and challenges posed by the war in Ukraine.
Inspiring human stories
2 young brothers, Hennati and Ivan, are back on their feet and lend a helping hand to others.
Testimonials from EU civil protection and humanitarian aid workers
Ukraine: meet the humanitarian workers supporting the EU’s emergency responseWith over 30 years of experience in humanitarian aid between them, Eliana, Olga and Laura are supporting the EU’s emergency response in Ukraine.
They have told us about the impact of the war on peoples’ lives, the challenges humanitarian workers face, and what keeps them going.
War in Ukraine: coordinating the largest-ever EU civil protection operationWar in Ukraine: coordinating the largest-ever EU civil protection operationImmediately after the war started, teams of civil protection experts were deployed to Poland, Moldova and Slovakia to help coordinate the incoming assistance for Ukraine.
We interviewed 4 team members in Poland to understand how aid gets where it is most needed and shared their impressions from the ground.