As hostilities in the Sumy Region escalate, aid workers provide vital support and renew hope for those affected

By Lyudmyla Malyuk, Viktoriia Andriievska, Ukraine

Intensified fighting damage homes and hospitals 

The humanitarian needs of thousands of residents, who had begun to restore their previously affected communities, saw a reversal in the progress made.

Among the devastation was a residential building that was home to some 30 families, many with young children, which was hit on 11 August. The building had been repaired by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) about a year ago after it had been damaged in a previous attack. "It is such a pity we have not had the time to enjoy it fully," said Anna, one of the residents. "The roof is damaged again, and we fear the coming winter colds. Our only hope is the humanitarian organizations who have helped us before. Thankfully, they have not forgotten about us: they arrived to assess the damage the day after the attack."

 

Attacks also continue to affect critical medical facilities. On 13 August, a blast wave from a nearby strike damaged the roof and entrance of the Sumy Cardiology Hospital. Shrapnel littered the premises, putting at risk the new equipment recently provided by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) only days before the attack. "This equipment is a tool of peace and healing, and shrapnel is a tool of war and destruction," said the Hospital Director, Oleksandr Rusanov.
 

Many Sumy residents are concerned about ongoing attacks and the coming winter. As many people continue to be displaced, very little time is left to prepare homes before the cold sets in.

People are forced to leave their homes in border communities due to violence

Front-line villages and towns in the Sumy Region, close to the border with the Russian Federation, continue to suffer from ongoing violence, forcing residents to flee for safety as humanitarians work to provide support. 

"We would no longer be alive if it were not for Andrii [from Proliska Mission]," said Tetiana, a resident of Loknia Village in the Yunakivka Community, which has been heavily bombarded in the past week. Humanitarian Mission Proliska, an NGO active in the region, jointly with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, helped Tetiana and her family, including a bedridden grandmother, to evacuate to Sumy City.

The family's story highlights the profound loss that so many are experiencing. "We don't have a house. Like many in our village, it has been destroyed. Where my brother's home once stood, it is now just a hole in the ground," Tetiana said.

Humanitarians join efforts with local authorities to help recently displaced people

Many families, like Tetiana's, come to one of the two transit centres in Sumy City, operated by NGO Pluriton in coordination with local authorities. The centres have seen an increase in evacuees since the escalation of hostilities on 6 August. Some come through organized evacuations, while others arrive on their own, hoping for a brief respite before moving on. 

Since 6 August, some 2,000 people, including children, have received assistance in the centres, which are supported by UN agencies as well as national and international organizations. 

Evacuees receive immediate support and register for cash assistance, which allows them to buy what they need. Many flee with just a backpack, leaving everything else behind. Many people also need assistance with documentation, and the NGO Right to Protection helps restore crucial identity papers.

Children and older people are most affected by acute trauma from violence and displacement

Psycho-social support is one of the most pressing needs at the centre. The trauma of war is palpable, especially among children. As one of Pluriton's psychologists who works with families says, children feel their parents' anxiety. Loud noises often trigger immediate tension, causing them to glance around nervously, looking for their parents.

Pluriton, with the support of UNICEF and Polish Humanitarian Action, provides psychological support to both adults and children at the transit centres. They set up a child-friendly space where children can engage in art activities and play. This helps them to start working through the trauma of having had to leave their homes and all they know under dangerous circumstances. A young girl told a psychologist that she was very sorry to leave behind her favourite cup at home. "We had just finished renovating our home. I helped my parents with everything. I even had a favourite cup. I'm so sad we couldn't bring it with us."

The decision to leave is also heart-wrenching for older people. Valentina from Yunakivka was forced to abandon her farm after repeated attacks, which left her village without power and water. She recalls the agony of leaving her home, her animals and the life she had built. "I stayed as long as possible, but it became terrifying. War is a war," she said, holding back tears.

"We just want peace, a peaceful sky above and our home," Valentina said softly, echoing the wish of countless others who the violence has displaced. Until then, humanitarians stand ready to provide the support that is so desperately needed.