February 24, 2025, marked three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Daily attacks persist. Millions struggle. UN workers remain a crucial lifeline.
Natalia Datchenko, a UNICEF worker, still remembers the explosions that shook Ukraine awake. “I try not to cry,” she says. “That day changed everything.”
Despite shock and fear, she felt a surge of purpose. “I had to help,” she recalls. UNICEF instructed staff to prioritize family safety before resuming work.
She evacuated to Lviv with her family. “Twelve of us squeezed into a train compartment,” she says. “I held a stranger’s child. There was no space.”
When they arrived, families sat on the cold station floor. “It was freezing,” she says. “Children shivered, mothers cried. The war had begun.”
WOMEN HOLDING THEIR FAMILIES TOGETHER
Lyudmyla Kovalchuk, a UN Women staff member, lived near Kyiv International Airport, an early target of attacks. “We woke up to explosions. We had heard warnings, but we never believed it would happen.”
Despite exhaustion, life continues. Women in Ukraine need legal, financial, and psychological support. Many raise children alone while searching for work. Around 75,000 women serve in the military, requiring specialized assistance.
ADAPTING TO A WAR-TORN REALITY
“We plan meetings near shelters in case of attacks,” Kovalchuk explains. “Events are short to minimize risk. The pandemic taught us hybrid work, which now helps us adapt.”
Anastasia Kalashnyk, another UN Women worker, relocated to Kyiv with her family after the war began. “My children stopped attending school. My husband lost his job. But my workload tripled.”
Since 2017, she had supported women in Luhansk and Donetsk. After 2022, many were forced to flee. “Hearing their stories was the hardest. Women I knew for years had lost everything.”
SAFE SPACES FOR WOMEN
UN Women and local NGOs created “safe spaces” for displaced women. These centers offer psychological support, legal aid, and a sense of community.
“I watched Olga, a survivor, rediscover life after trauma,” recalls a UN worker. “She now helps others at the center.”
THE HUMAN COST OF WAR
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports over 12,600 civilian deaths and 29,000 injuries. At least 2,400 children are among the casualties.
Millions live in fear. Those in occupied regions face severe restrictions and little humanitarian aid. An entire generation grows up in wartime.
DESTRUCTION BEYOND LIVES
Over 10% of Ukraine’s housing is damaged or destroyed, leaving two million families homeless. More than 3,600 schools have been hit, forcing remote learning.
Repeated attacks on energy infrastructure have left towns without power, heating, and essential services. Over 12.7 million people need humanitarian aid.
FINDING HOPE AMIDST WAR
Despite exhaustion, Kalashnyk sees hope in her children. “What they go through is unfair. I must stay strong for them and other families.”
She finds reassurance in the UN’s continued support. “They didn’t leave. They’ve been here for years. Now, they’re planning for rebuilding. That gives me confidence in our future.”
Datchenko from UNICEF believes unity drives Ukraine forward. “At first, anger united us. Now, it’s the desire to rebuild—not just to restore, but to create a new Ukraine.”
Her work gives her purpose. “I can reshape old programs, create new ones, and direct resources where they matter. Working for UNICEF helps me survive.”
CULTURE AS A SURVIVAL STRATEGY
Datchenko finds comfort in Ukraine’s cultural resilience. “Museums are open. Concerts happen. Music plays. For many, culture keeps us alive.”
Many Ukrainians are finding their own ways to cope. “Supporting colleagues emotionally is one of the hardest parts,” Kovalchuk says. “One of our colleague’s brothers went missing. What can you say?”
“But adversity makes us stronger,” she adds. “Though I wish I didn’t have this experience, I have no choice. It’s mine to carry.”
