Three years of full-scale war and over a decade of hostilities have shattered the lives of millions of Ukrainians. Normal life remains out of reach as heavy shelling continues, especially in the southeast of the country, damaging homes, hospitals, schools and other civilian infrastructure. More than 13.7 million people in Ukraine are currently in need of humanitarian assistance.

Funding from the European Union has been instrumental in allowing the IRC’s Protection and Rule of Law (PRoL) team to provide legal consultations, case management, information sessions and psychological support to people, many of whom are displaced and struggling to meet their basic needs. 

Here is a look at the PRoL team’s work in action:

Liudmyla is a lawyer and an IRC Emergency Response Officer. She provides legal consultations on some of the leading issues people are facing as they endure an ongoing war, including compensation for destroyed or damaged housing, access to social services and payments, restoration of lost personal documentation and inheritance matters.

Liudmyla is a lawyer and an IRC Emergency Response Officer. She provides legal consultations on some of the leading issues people are facing as they endure an ongoing war, including compensation for destroyed or damaged housing, access to social services and payments, restoration of lost personal documentation and inheritance matters. 

Tamara, 76, and Anatolii, 78, are neighbours and good friends. They have both relocated to the Odesa region after facing intense airstrikes and a brutal winter from their homes in Pokrovsk. “We knew we wouldn’t survive. We’d die from fear,” Tamara shares. “Sometimes the explosions were so loud…A neighbouring house was destroyed. It was terrifying.”

Tamara, 76, and Anatolii, 78, are neighbours and good friends.  They have both relocated to the Odesa region after facing intense airstrikes and a brutal winter from their homes in Pokrovsk. “We knew we wouldn’t survive. We’d die from fear,” Tamara shares. “Sometimes the explosions were so loud…A neighbouring house was destroyed. It was terrifying.” 

Working out of a local NGO’s office, Liudmyla meets with the couple to discuss their legal status. 

Since Tamara and Anatolii were not evacuated by the Ukrainian government, they were not officially registered as internally displaced persons. Liudmyla is supporting them in registering as internally displaced persons, so they can receive financial assistance to cover basic necessities.

Since Tamara and Anatolii were not evacuated by the Ukrainian government, they were not officially registered as internally displaced persons. Liudmyla is supporting them in registering as internally displaced persons, so they can receive financial assistance to cover basic necessities.

In addition to her in-office consultations, Liudmyla often travels to different sites–in cities like Odesa, Kherson and Mykolaiv–to deliver immediate assistance after a drone or missile strike.

In addition to her in-office consultations, Liudmyla often travels to different sites–in cities like Odesa, Kherson and Mykolaiv–to deliver immediate assistance after a drone or missile strike. 

Here, she is working in a residential area that was hit by a ballistic missile the previous day. The Odesa region has been under missile attacks weekly, and dozens of civilians were killed in this strike. 

For people whose homes have been damaged or destroyed, Liudmyla explains the e-Vidnovlennia (“e-Renovation”) program and how to apply for compensation using the Diia app. "I show people where to find [the app], how to open it on their phones, and if they haven't registered ownership rights for their property, I explain what conditions must be met to receive compensation," she says.

For people whose homes have been damaged or destroyed, Liudmyla explains the e-Vidnovlennia (“e-Renovation”) program and how to apply for compensation using the Diia app. "I show people where to find [the app], how to open it on their phones, and if they haven't registered ownership rights for their property, I explain what conditions must be met to receive compensation," she says.

In this site visit, Liudmyla is working alongside members of the IRC’s women’s protection and empowerment and child protection teams. With support from the EU, they are distributing winter kits filled with hygiene items, basic cosmetics, and some warm accessories like socks. Due to the shelling of the critical infrastructure, hundreds of thousands of residents in the area have been left to face the cold winter without heating and electricity.
In this site visit, Liudmyla is working alongside members of the IRC’s women’s protection and empowerment and child protection teams. With support from the EU, they are distributing winter kits filled with hygiene items, basic cosmetics, and some warm accessories like socks. Due to the shelling of the critical infrastructure, hundreds of thousands of residents in the area have been left to face the cold winter without heating and electricity.

In this site visit, Liudmyla is working alongside members of the IRC’s women’s protection and empowerment and child protection teams. With support from the EU, they are distributing winter kits filled with hygiene items, basic cosmetics, and some warm accessories like socks. Due to the shelling of the critical infrastructure, hundreds of thousands of residents in the area have been left to face the cold winter without heating and electricity.

Her colleague Lesia is also there to provide much-needed psychological support for people as they process the devastating aftereffects of an attack.
Her colleague Lesia is also there to provide much-needed psychological support for people as they process the devastating aftereffects of an attack.
Photo: Tamara Kiptenko for the IRC

“It’s much harder when you respond immediately,” Liudmyla shares. “People are truly in shock, and you can feel their emotions deeply.” 

Though the work can be tough, Liudmyla, who previously worked in the corporate sector and in public service, finds her role at the IRC to be a good learning experience. “It’s engaging, it provides new knowledge, and most importantly, it’s about helping people,” she says. “When you see that you’ve made a difference, it brings a sense of satisfaction.”

Though the work can be tough, Liudmyla, who previously worked in the corporate sector and in public service, finds her role at the IRC to be a good learning experience. “It’s engaging, it provides new knowledge, and most importantly, it’s about helping people,” she says. “When you see that you’ve made a difference, it brings a sense of satisfaction.” 

About our work with the European Union

The International Rescue Committee partners with the European Union to provide life-saving support to people caught in conflict and disasters around the world. Our work funded by the EU enables people to survive, recover and rebuild their lives.