Gratitude, Hope, Dedication: Humanitarian Workers Share Their Stories from War-Torn Ukraine

Kyiv, Ukraine — Gratitude. Hope. Dedication. These were the words chosen by Oleksandr, Maksym and Anna — three humanitarian workers from IOM Ukraine — when asked, "If you were to describe your work in one word, what would it be?" In war-torn Ukraine, these words encapsulate their daily struggles and accomplishments as they strive to bring relief to those caught in the crossfire, as the third year of the full-scale war, an escalation of a decade-long conflict in eastern Ukraine, continues.  

Daily attacks on residential buildings and civilian infrastructure cause widespread destruction and millions seeking refuge. Since March 2024, over a hundred attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have disrupted power supplies nationwide, leading to extended outages for millions, further worsening the humanitarian situation in the country. As the conflict persists, the role of humanitarian workers is becoming more crucial than ever.

Oleksandr: A Journey of Gratitude

“The best part of my work is the ability to directly improve other people’s lives. It is extremely empowering to know that your efforts are impactful and that you can truly make a difference in the lives of others,” says Oleksandr Andrieiev, Field Operations Assistant at IOM Ukraine. Oleksandr’s work involves assisting in distributions of humanitarian aid for displaced people in Odesa region. This includes planning and logistics to ensure that essential supplies such as clothing, bedding kits, winterization supplies and other essential items reach those in need efficiently and effectively.

Beyond the logistical aspects, Oleksandr spends most of his time in the field, directly interacting with affected communities and listening to their stories. This helps him understand their immediate and long-term needs, making sure that the assistance provided is relevant and impactful, and that the displaced people in Odesa region receive the support they need to rebuild their lives.

A native of Odesa with a background in social work, Oleksandr Andrieiev has been with IOM for over a year. Before joining IOM, he volunteered at various non-governmental organizations in Odesa after the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine began.

When asked about his motivation to become a humanitarian worker, Oleksandr's response is steeped in compassion: “In times of war and hardship, it is entirely natural to want to feel useful and valuable to your community," he says. The emotional toll of his work is mitigated by field visits and interactions with those assisted by IOM, which remind Oleksandr of the impact of his efforts.

Oleksandr sums up his experience in the humanitarian field with one word: gratitude. Seeing people supporting others, despite their own suffering, inspires Oleksandr to continue his work, he says.

Odesa and other southern regions of Ukraine continue to suffer from numerous attacks on residential buildings and civilian infrastructure. The recent increase in attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector caused critical services, including healthcare and education, to be disrupted. The damage to ports and transportation networks in Odesa region has also hindered logistics activities, posing challenges to the efforts to provide aid to those affected.

Maksym: Fueled by Hope

For Maksym Sydorov, a National Programme Officer and IOM Hub Lead in Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine, the one word that describes his work is "hope." Originally from Svitlodarsk, Donetsk region, Maksym has experienced the turmoil of war firsthand. Losing his home and business to war turned into a personal motivation to help others in similar situations.

In 2014, when the security situation in eastern Ukraine worsened, Maksym’s house in Donetsk region was damaged by shelling. At the time, his family received help from humanitarian organizations in the form of emergency shelter kits to repair his home. Now, years later, he oversees similar support and assistance for those in need in Kharkiv region.

Maksym finds strength in his family, spending his free time with his wife and son, hiking and learning to play the drums. “Balancing work and personal well-being is the hardest part of the job, especially in such challenging conditions,” he says.

A poignant memory for Maksym is the tragedy in the village of Hroza, Kharkiv region, in 2023, where a Russian rocket attack killed over fifty people. IOM’s immediate response, providing  essential supplies, underscored the organization's commitment to helping those in dire need.

In recent months the attacks on Kharkiv city and the region have intensified by 95 per cent, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The region suffers from daily attacks in densely populated areas, while communities in the north, like the town of Vovchansk, have been reduced to rubble, resulting in the largest displacement in Ukraine since 2023.  

Despite the dangers, seeing the impact of his work on people's lives is immensely rewarding, Maksym shares.

Despite the proximity of Kharkiv region to the front lines and the associated dangers, Maksym finds hope in the proactive and dedicated people in his team, working tirelessly to support affected people: “I had never imagined that the team I work with would become my second family.”

“I hope that Ukraine will be able to recover from the consequences of the war and rebuild a normal life,” he says.

Anna: The Power of Dedication

Anna Savenets, an IOM Field Operations Assistant based in Dnipro, says that working in the humanitarian field is "her calling". Her role involves visiting areas in eastern Ukraine with critical needs, delivering humanitarian aid to those most vulnerable and often witnessing the aftermath of destruction.

Civilians and civilian infrastructure in front-line regions continue to be affected by hostilities, resulting in civilian deaths, injuries and displacement. Recent escalation in the attacks caused an even more dire humanitarian situation.

When asked what keeps her going despite the ever-present risks, Anna replies: "I am in the right place. I am where I am supposed to be. I realize that I can contribute, even if it's a small part, to helping the most vulnerable."

"Dedication" is the word that she uses to sum up her experience highlighting the deliberate and purposeful approach she brings to her work. Her intention to help, to make a difference and to face challenges head on defines her journey and underlines the meaningful impact she has on those she serves.

Together, Oleksandr, Maksym and Anna, as well as hundreds of other humanitarian workers, embody the spirit of perseverance and resilience amidst the turmoil in Ukraine. Their gratitude, hope and dedication offer a powerful reminder of the human capacity to endure and help others, even in the darkest times.

This story was written by Anna Tsybko, National Communications Officer with IOM Ukraine.