A land damaged by war, now being rebuilt by a determined and innovative people

In August 2024, Matthias Schmale started his assignment as the coordinator of the humanitarian and recovery response of the United Nations in Ukraine with a visit to the South. A year later, he returned to the cities of the brave, innovative and resourceful people.

Day 1. Odesa and the region

From rehabilitating war-affected families and introducing solar-powered water systems to empowering women entrepreneurs, Odesa and the region is a place of creativity and resilience, driven by people who never stop moving forward.

Rehabilitation to war-affected families

When arriving at the Ukrainian Medical Center for Mother and Child, you are welcomed by a blooming garden with trees, benches, and a small fountain. This Center is truly unique: its mission goes beyond medical treatment, focusing on holistic rehabilitation for mothers and children, restoring mental health and rebuilding family life disrupted by war. 

"Today, our center serves 82 communities - internally displaced people, children of the deceased, prisoners of war, veterans, children who were left without a family, adopted children. The center is not only medical, but it also provides social support," says Nataliia, who has managed the rehabilitation center for the past two years. 

Since 2024, UNICEF has helped the center stay strong, renovating a bomb shelter, improving water and sanitation, and providing a vehicle for mobile medical teams. UNFPA opened a fully accessible gynaecological office for women with disabilities and survivors of gender-based violence, while IOM refreshed the interiors, making it a bright, welcoming place for families.

“This is a fantastic investment from the UN family, both into supporting very vulnerable people, as well as providing institutional support to make an installation like this better and more dignified,” say Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Matthias Schmale. 

Supporting infrastructure and economic development 

With financial support from France, IOM installed solar power stations in one of the cities in the Odesa region to run water pumping and treatment facilities, shifting operations to clean, renewable energy. 

These solar-powered stations now provide a reliable water supply to around 30,000 people, even during electricity outages, while cutting costs and reducing environmental impact. 

“Today we saw a great example of how we can contribute to saving money for the authorities, because solar energy means they are less dependent on the electricity grid. It helps individuals with managing their finances because of the stable tariffs and, of course, it’s an investment into green recovery,” explains Matthias Schmale. 

Another example is the FAO’s Wine Value Chain Support Project. This initiative is designed to strengthen small wine producers in Odesa region, enhance value‑chain integration and improve market participation for Ukrainian farmers.

The Tairov Institute of Viticulture is one of the key FAO’s partners, pioneering climate‑resilient grape-growing, energy-efficient technologies, and turning winery waste into biofuels and dietary supplements. 

A true circular-economy approach.

Connecting gender-based violence response with empowering women-led businesses for long-term economic recovery

The roundtable to discuss gender-based violence response and recovery brought together UNFPA, implementing partners, key actors and government representatives. Around the table, participants spoke of systems and strategies, but it was the testimonies of those working closest to survivors that shaped the conversation.

“What is the connection between GBV and economic recovery? The more we’re able to support women achieve economic independence, the more we’re also investing in the protection against the GBV”, underlined the UN Resident Coordinator. 

The “Pochatok” project, supported by UN Women from October 2023 to March 2024 and implemented by the NGO Small and Medium Business Support Consulting Center in Ukraine and funded by Japan, focused on helping women affected by the war — especially internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The project supported 6,270 women, providing economic empowerment and resilience by offering a mix of entrepreneurial training, personalized mentorship, psychological support, networking opportunities, and small grants to help them start or grow their own businesses.

"We wanted to create a place where women could come and join a community of women like themselves, and where children could also have their own community. That’s why we opened not only a bookstore, but a space where children and parents can grow and develop together,” says Olha, participant of the program who received a grant to support development activities in her bookstore called “A little hedgehog.”

Day 2. Mykolaiv and Mykolaiv region

Mykolaiv region was partially occupied in 2022, leaving a trace of destruction and pushing people to flee. After de-occupation, communities and individuals found ways to recover and move forward.

Repairing houses, social infrastructure and supporting the most vulnerable

Iryna left the Mykolaiv region to live with her daughter while her husband stayed and saw the bombs falling, the house being destroyed and his loved ones being killed. 

“We were so far from the word ‘war.’ We never thought something like this could happen to civilians. The first civilian who was killed in our village was my husband’s brother. They started shooting, people went outside. No one imagined that civilians would be targeted,” says Iryna.

Since Iryna returned, they have been rebuild their house and their life. They have a beautiful garden, dogs and rescued parrots. With support from UNHCR’s partner The Tenth of April, the family received materials to seal the roof and start repairs. The organization’s legal team also helped them navigate a complex court case to restore ownership of their home. However, the pressing issue of no available work, except for seasonal ones, remains. And psychological scars are left for a long time.

Alongside supporting people affected by the war, UNHCR and UNDP are working together on a project to help communities recover and create conditions for safe and lasting returns. The project funded by the Community Recovery Fund focuses on strengthening social ties and empowering local activists. It also supports the rebuilding of community facilities that provide essential services and spaces where people can come together.

In the rural areas of Mykolaiv, where infrastructure is limited, and mobile connectivity remains unstable, people with reduced mobility are especially dependent on social services for essential support.

Lyudmyla, a pensioner whose home was damaged by shelling and later repaired through durable repairs, continues to receive support from a social facilitator under a program implemented by UNHCR and its NGO partner, The Tenth of April.

“Over just two days, I saw a striking contrast to the reality of war. Sirens and alarms still interrupt daily life, but even in the midst of war, people are investing in their future. It is deeply inspiring to witness this resilience, and to see how the UN, working hand in hand with local authorities and NGOs, is helping to make it possible. 

The message is clear: we must continue investing in the future of this country,” sums up Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator.