"I Hope for the Best Despite What I've Been Through" — Kharkiv Resident Rebuilds Family Life Amidst War

Kharkiv is the second largest city in Ukraine. Every day, its residents experience shelling by the Russian Federation. As a result of one such attack on New Year's Eve, Denys was left without a home and had to fight for his wife's life.  

"Before the shelling, this yard was the heart of all the activities in the neighbourhood. In the winter, my neighbours and I would set up the Christmas tree here, in the spring we would grill barbecues, and in the summer we would bring sports equipment and train together. This did not change even after the war started: my neighbours and I supported each other even in the most difficult times," Denys recalls, speaking about his house on Hirshman Street in the centre of Kharkiv.  

On 30 December 2023, Kharkiv residents, like all the people across Ukraine and the world, were preparing to celebrate the New Year and were busy with preparations for festivities. Instead, this day turned into one of the most terrifying in Denys's life.  

"When the shelling happened, I was out buying a Christmas tree," says Denys. "My wife was at home, preparing for the celebration. When I came back, we no longer needed a Christmas tree: the apartment was almost destroyed, and my wife had suffered a spinal injury from the explosion. On 1 January, she underwent surgery and then faced a long and painful recovery." 

After the shelling, IOM supported Kharkiv residents, whose homes were damaged. IOM provided emergency repair kits and film to residents and carried out repairs in private homes and municipal facilities. 

"The most important thing at the time was to save my beloved's life and health, so I had no financial or emotional resources for repairs. The news that IOM would be involved in the reconstruction of our house brought me much relief," says Denys.  

Between early February and April 2024, IOM repaired the roof, which was damaged by shelling, and replaced the windows and doors of the apartment and building entrances. 

"Before, there was cardboard coverings instead of windows in the staircase. Now we can save on electricity becausewe don't need to light the stairs during the day," says Denys.  

While the apartment building is still being prepared for habitation, Denys looks after the building and takes care of the elderly neighbours.

"What happened did not erase my good memories of everything that happened here in peaceful times," says Denys. "We are recovering, the city is recovering, and we see that we are supported and not left alone with our problems. This is the most important thing." 

IOM will continue to help restore homes damaged by the war in Ukraine.  

The renovation of the building was made possible thanks to financial support from the UK Foreign,  Commonwealth and Development Office.