Five humanitarians share their coping mechanisms and sources of inspiration in their demanding roles.
As the war in Ukraine continues to exacerbate the humanitarian situation, local aid workers are helping people in places where humanitarian needs are dire, and the security situation is perilous. For more than a decade, humanitarians have risked their lives while their own families bear the brunt of the impact of war.
Iryna: Navigating humanitarian challenges
Chernivtsi Region, western Ukraine
"When we start a humanitarian project in Ukraine, the main concern is always about the safety of our workers."
Caption: Iryna participates in an art therapy session with displaced and war-affected children.
Iryna Chorna, 45, has been engaged in humanitarian response in Ukraine for more than 10 years. Her personal story is intertwined with the stories of many of the country’s displaced and war-affected people. Forced to flee her home twice – first from Donetsk City in 2014 and again in 2022 from Zaporizhzhia City – Iryna’s experiences fuelled her dedication to humanitarian work.
"In 2014, I received humanitarian aid myself. Then I became a volunteer," she recalls.
Today, she plays a pivotal role in training humanitarian workers and teams of the local humanitarian organization Posmishka UA across Ukraine.
She explains: "We build the work of our teams in line with humanitarian principles. We also take the security training of our staff very seriously. Due to the situation in the country, every time we start a humanitarian project in Ukraine, our main concern is always about the lives of our workers."
Since the beginning of this year, more than 30 incidents involving attacks and hostilities against humanitarian workers, facilities or vehicles have been reported by OCHA, with at least 3 aid workers killed and 11 injured.
Despite the challenges, Iryna finds solace in her family, community and work.
"I know I have chosen the right path in life," she says. "Together with my colleagues, we have opened over 50 child-friendly spaces, which provide relief to children across Ukraine. The gratitude and joy I see in their eyes gives me strength and inspiration to carry on."
Oksana: Resilience amid personal tragedy
Kharkiv Region, eastern Ukraine
Caption: Oksana stands at the entrance of her home that was damaged by a missile strike in January. She plans to rebuild it.
Oksana, a member of the local organization Humanitarian Mission Proliska, faced personal tragedy when a missile struck her home in January.
As she recalls the harrowing experience, Oksana is overwhelmed with emotions: "It was really tough for me after the attack — so much pain and anger. Three months after the strike, my family and I are working to repair our home so we can have protection next winter."
Oksana remains committed to her humanitarian work, helping others while rebuilding her home.
"I now better understand the harsh reality people in such circumstances face; many are in much worse situations than myself. My job is to help," she says. "It’s very difficult to recover, but I have my family, my cats and dogs, and I recently adopted another pet; this helps me a lot."
Dmytro: Championing well-being
Donetsk Region, eastern Ukraine
"As the head of a humanitarian organization, I need to ensure that each of our staff has the capacity to cope."
Caption: Dmytro, as the head of an NGO, prioritizes the safety and well-being of more than 350 aid workers.
Dmytro Myshenin, 31, is the head of the local non-governmental organization (NGO) Angels of Salvation. It was set up two years ago and now has 348 staff, many of whom work close to the front line.
"With such a large number of people in the organization, we strive to take care of the well-being of each staff member," says Dmytro, who has worked as a volunteer since 2014. "Together with our team of psychologists and facilitators – 18 people altogether – we have developed programmes to support our workers. The biggest difficulty in our work is the insecurity due to constant shelling, air strikes and blackouts.”
Caption: A damaged humanitarian organization vehicle belonging to the Angels of Salvation. Fortunately, no staff members were injured.
Hanna, a lawyer turned humanitarian worker, leads a regional team for the NGO Right to Protection, in the southern regions of Kherson, Mykolaiv and Odesa, assisting internally displaced and war-affected people.
She acknowledges that stress, fatigue and burnout are daily realities for aid workers. "People's internal resources are not limitless," she says. "Too often, humanitarian workers push themselves beyond their limits to help those in need."
Hanna admits that she sometimes neglects her well-being while confronting blatant human rights violations. But she believes these challenges allow her to grow personally and professionally.
Hanna's team regularly meet staff psychologists to develop their coping mechanisms. “Some situations are truly heart-wrenching,” she reflects. "One instance is when a colleague chose to come and help people affected by the shelling that also claimed the lives of his relatives."
Despite the conflict’s toll, Hanna draws strength from her team and the impact they have on those they serve.
"All people hope they will be supported in peril, and I’m glad I can share my strength and help the vulnerable," she says.
Lyudmyla: Finding strength in making a difference
Sumy Region, northern Ukraine
"Making a difference in people’s lives fills me with the greatest strength and inspiration."
Caption: Lyudmyla works at the NGO, Rokada in Ukraine’s Sumy Region.
Lyudmyla, 37, joined local NGO Rokada as a humanitarian worker in the Sumy Region when the full-scale invasion started. "I just couldn't pass by seeing the struggle of people around me," she says.
Like many other regions in Ukraine, Sumy is a place of uncertainty and hardship. Lyudmyla explains: "People are fleeing areas of intense attacks, often arriving with nothing more than they were wearing, lacking essentials such as kitchenware or medication."
The work is intense, and humanitarians need to listen to people’s grievances and seek the best solutions.
"There are moments when you return home and crave solitude," she adds. "But I manage my stress, find solace and satisfaction in my work and receive support from our psychologists."
Above all, knowing that her work makes a difference for affected people gives Lyudmyla a sense of fulfilment.
"People reach out to say 'Thank you, I don't know what we would have done without your help.' Such words fill me with joy and drive to continue helping others."
