Story
29 July 2026
Recovery through the lives of people
Families are returning to their communities, children are returning to schools, farmers are restoring their land, women are challenging stereotypes in the labor market, and local leaders are working to create safer and greener futures. Recovery is ultimately a story about people.Back to school, back to childhood In the frontline village of Bezruky in the Kharkiv region, the war brought education to a standstill as tanks roared nearby. The local school took a hit and had to close its doors. Yuliia then learned that UNOPS would replace windows and ensure structural integrity of her school as part of the EU-supported school repair project. When she later learned that the school’s basement would be turned into a shelter, she was elated.“You just cannot imagine the change,” says Yuliia, walking down the brightly-painted underground corridor that she turned into an art gallery. Above are the ventilation, alarm systems, and communication lines – visible, but unobtrusive. Children can now come here for extracurricular activities, and their parents have peace of mind knowing that their children are safe. Little Kateryna learned to read and write here. Mykhailo, a year older, talks about the many friends he made here. And Kamila, about to leave primary school, says she can finally do gymnastics – something she couldn’t do at home. Thanks to this project, implemented by UNOPS with support of the European Union, over 15000 children can now return to in-person learning. Teachers in Ukraine are creating better futures for children For 20 years, Yurii Tkalenko has been helping students learn and grow in the Cherkasy region. In 2025, he joined a UNESCO training programme, funded by the Global Partnership for Education and supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, to strengthen the New Ukrainian School reform. "Learning never stops. The new curriculum focuses on the child, adapting education to their needs," Yurii says. Teachers like Yurii are helping shape the future of education in Ukraine by bringing new ideas into classrooms and supporting every child's learning journey. Mothers who bring new hope to life In wartime Ukraine, bringing a child into the world takes extraordinary courage. For women like Anastasiia from Donetsk region, the journey to motherhood meant leaving home and travelling to Kharkiv to access specialized medical care. There, in a protected maternity ward, she safely gave birth to twin boys despite the challenges and uncertainty caused by the war. "I was afraid to give birth. But life goes on," Anastasiia says. Her words reflect the courage of countless women across Ukraine who continue to choose hope, even in the midst of war. “The doctors truly brought us through,” she adds. Across frontline regions, safe maternity facilities are helping women give birth while dedicated healthcare workers support mothers and newborns through difficult circumstances. UNFPA in Ukraine, in partnership with the European Union, continues to support this crucial work.How the “Nanny School” is helping women in labour market For many mothers in Ukraine, reliable childcare can open the door back to work. It means knowing their children are receiving professional care while they rebuild their careers and support their families. Through the ILO’s “Nanny School,” 80 women have qualified to care for children aged 0 to 3, with nearly half finding jobs soon after certification. The programme helps women move from informal work into more secure employment, while giving parents confidence that their children are in qualified hands. Now expanding through a nationwide network of trainers, the programme is creating decent jobs for women, supporting mothers’ return to work, and improving care for young children across Ukraine.On the road for her community After completing training through the She Drives project supported by UN Women, Oksana works as a driver at the municipal enterprise, transporting passengers across Kryvyi Rih, the city with the longest roads in Ukraine.Before joining the programme, Oksana worked as a cargo and baggage receiving clerk. She had always enjoyed driving but never imagined herself operating large vehicles. When she saw an announcement about the She Drives project on social media, she decided to try, even though she doubted she would pass the selection process. Now, Oksana drives one of the city’s longest routes and continues to build her professional confidence. "For many passengers, it’s still unusual to see a woman driving a bus, but their gratitude motivates me," she says. "If you want to do something, don’t be afraid to try. I wanted to change my life, and I did."“It’s important to know we’re not alone” In frontline Zaporizhzhia, hospital director Hanna Makarenkova has faced some of the war’s darkest days — from treating complex blast injuries to caring for countless civilians evacuated from Mariupol and other devastated towns. Since the full-scale invasion, her team has provided help to more than 25,000 patients, often working under bombardment and power outages. “My colleagues give me the strength to keep working,” Hanna says. “Their tireless work, their dedication to the cause, is what motivates me.” With support from the EU and UNDP, the hospital received new independent power units that keep life-saving equipment running even when the grid fails. For Hanna, this support brings more than electricity — it gives her and her colleagues the sense that their work is appreciated, and that in their struggle to save lives, they are not alone.Restoring strength and hope “Movement is life,” says Nataliia as her husband, Oleksandr, learns to use a wheelchair with support from a physical therapist. The couple lived in Kostiantynivka, where Oleksandr cared for their household and helped neighbours. One morning, he was injured in a drone strike. Oleksandr lost both legs and one eye. For three months, Nataliia has stayed by his side, caring for him through surgeries and helping him relearn everyday tasks. At first, Oleksandr could barely move and lost motivation. Then he began working with Illia, a physical therapist who taught him to balance and transfer into a wheelchair. “I think everything will be alright for us,” Nataliia says. “We’ll live and enjoy life. Because life goes on.” With financial support from the European Union, WHO is helping train rehabilitation professionals across Ukraine to assess, fit, and adjust wheelchairs. More than 300 specialists have completed the training, and nine have become certified trainers. The experiences of these people and millions more reflect both the challenges caused by the war and the immense efforts they put into rebuilding their lives. The United Nations, jointly with partners, is set to help them. The overview of the work the UN has done jointly with the partners in 2025 to support people is available at the link.
