“Cash support came as a lifeline in the hardest of times”

Every day brings fear and uncertainty to the people of Ukraine, especially those residing in cities, where attacks have intensified. For the residents of Sumy, in north-eastern Ukraine, this reality is all too familiar. The region continues to endure frequent strikes, causing significant destruction, loss of life and injuries. In this context, humanitarian needs have exacerbated, leaving communities in urgent need of protection and essential services.

November 17 was an uneventful Sunday, until a strike hit a densely populated residential area in the city. People were killed and injured, also many homes suffered extensive damage, and forced families to leave their apartments.

"The strike came so fast, with such a roar and bang," says Lyudmyla, a retired woman living alone in an apartment in one of the affected residential buildings. "I jumped out of my bed. I grabbed my documents and ran to a safe place. I’ve never been so scared in my entire life." 

The explosion severely damaged Lyudmyla’s apartment.  The blast wave bent her front door, and her balcony was partially destroyed. 

"I felt cold air coming into my apartment through the damaged door. I’m just grateful the balcony glass didn’t shatter on me," she says. Lyudmyla believes her cat saved her life. "He went out to the balcony just before the blast, and the open door might have absorbed some of the impact."

Living alone on a small pension allowance, she felt overwhelmed by the challenge of repairing her damaged apartment and staying warm as winter temperatures began to drop—all while having to buy medicines, hygiene items and food.
 

Immediate humanitarian response after the attack

In the wake of the attack, humanitarian organizations quickly mobilized to support the affected people. They provided food and water, immediate temporary window insulation, and psychological and legal assistance, helping residents like Lyudmyla navigate the immediate aftermath.

 

To help those affected cope with the hardships following the attack, several humanitarian organizations began registering the affected people for multi-purpose cash assistance (MPCA). The humanitarian response was meant to support people who had lost their apartments and meet their basic needs such as food, medicines, clothing and other necessities. Eligible families received financial support amounting to 10,800 UAH (around US$250) per person over three months to cover essential expenses during this challenging time. 

When Lyudmyla learned about the programme from her neighbours, she instantly reached out to the humanitarians. She was among the first to apply for emergency assistance. Aid workers registered vulnerable people like Lyudmyla, including people with disabilities, older people and others facing severe hardship. In Sumy City, three NGOs registered over 1000 applications after the attack that damaged Lyudmyla’s apartment.

“Our specialists tirelessly provided consultations on emergency aid,” says Olha Koreneva, Regional Program Coordinator at Right to Protection NGO. “Many were too shaken to seek help right away, but we made sure support was available when they were ready.”

Millions of war-affected people have received multi-purpose cash support in Ukraine since 2022

Across Ukraine, over 100 humanitarian organizations are working to provide war-affected people with multi-purpose cash assistance. Since the war escalated in 2022, over 10.5 million people have been supported with a total amount of US$2.1 billion. Between 2022 and 2024, Ukraine's humanitarian response has heavily relied on MPCA to support those affected by the war. 

At the onset of the escalation of the war, multi-purpose cash was the most preferred and efficient modality of aid. In 2022 alone, nearly 6 million people were supported with MPSA assistance and over 4 million people in 2023, which constituted almost 40 per cent of the total humanitarian assistance at the time. 

An inter-agency Cash Working Group (CWG) in Ukraine has been instrumental in coordinating these efforts and developing guidelines and standard operating procedures to harmonize MPCA delivery across various regions, avoiding duplication and ensuring that the most vulnerable people receive aid. Today, MPCA remains a vital component of Ukraine's humanitarian response, providing flexible support that enables recipients to address their diverse needs amid the crisis.

Meanwhile, Lyudmyla is preparing to return home: “During the first several days, I couldn’t bring myself to go back—it was too painful to face the destruction. I stayed with friends,” Lyudmyla shares. “But the support I’ve received from aid organizations and friends gives me hope to restore a sense of normalcy and eventually return home.”