Helping Ukrainian families cope during the war
Published: May 15, 2026 Reading time: 3 minutes Share: Share an articleRussia’s invasion of Ukraine has radically changed the lives of all Ukrainian families. The loss of loved ones, forced displacement, the constant stress of shelling, and uncertainty about the future have affected millions. Yet, the travails of life in wartime have made it clear that loved ones and family are the most precious things in life.
On International Day of Families, we explore what keeps Ukrainian families going despite fatigue, stress, and uncertainty. And we show how our team, in Ukraine, works to help Ukrainian families to cope by providing financial support, restoring homes, supporting children’s education, and ensuring people have water, heating, and other necessities.
For many families, financial stability is a key factor in their security.
When Olena’s husband left to defend the country, she was left to raise their two children alone. To provide for the family, she sewed custom-made clothes at home. Eventually, she decided to this into a business. Olena rented a space and began setting up her workshop. She gradually bought equipment, sought out clients, and established her workflows. Today, she is developing her own clothing brand and exploring new avenues, particularly embroidery.
Olena joined our Courage to Business project, which we are implementing with the support of the Czech people. For Olena, membership of the project was not just a chance to receive a grant. It was also an opportunity for her to discuss her ideas with other entrepreneurs and view her own business from a fresh perspective.
When Viktoriia and her son, Denys, joined one of our educational projects, Viktoriia focused on helping her child. While Denys was catching up on his English and maths, she attended sessions on providing psychosocial support to parents.
The small vase that she made during one of these sessions stands in her home today. This creative craft serves as a reminder of a time when she was able to relax and recharge, even if only briefly.
As part of the educational project implemented by our team at People in Need Ukraine with the support of the European Union, we work holistically with children, parents, and teachers, because the mental state of adults directly affects that of children.
“Children are very dependent on their parents’ state of mind. How adults cope with stress affects their peace of mind, cognitive functions, and development,” explains Olena Tkachenko, Psychologist of the Mobile Group at People in Need.
Due to the hostilities, the question of survival for many Ukrainian families centres on basic necessities. For example, how to get through the cold winter. Ukraine winter cold is compounded by shelling, power cuts, disruptions to water and heating supplies, and constant uncertainty.
With support from the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund, the European Union and the US government, we delivered fuel briquettes to families living in frontline communities so they could heat their homes. We also provided people with financial assistance to buy fuel.
Thanks to the European Commission's support, we have helped heating and water supply companies provide life-saving warmth to tens of thousands of people.
Every family in Ukraine has its own experience of the war and its own set of difficulties. Some need help to cope with exhaustion, some need the opportunity to earn a living, and some need basic support to help them through a difficult period.
We do not leave people to face these challenges alone. By supporting families, we enable them to care for one another, work, study, and build a life for the future.
