Humanitarian Aid with Food Products
This week, our team actively supported displaced persons living in Dnipro and nearby regions by providing food packages promptly and according to their specific needs. All of this was made possible thanks to our partners at MCC.
The food packages contain essential items that help meet people’s basic needs.
Our efforts also extended to the Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Kherson regions. This allowed us to assist a large number of people who are in difficult conditions due to challenging living circumstances.
In Kramatorsk and Slovyansk this week, we had two goals: deliver humanitarian aid (bread and food) and help evacuate a person from the town of Rodynske.
Rodynske is a small mining town. There is no electricity, water, or gas. People cook on portable stoves or open fires, and they must fetch water. Why? Because the mine’s substation was destroyed in a strike, leaving the entire town without power. Although nearby towns like Biletske and Dobropillia still have water and electricity, Rodynske was left in a dire state. The evacuation was successful, and the person is now in a safe place.
We distributed bread and food packages, and people were, as always, grateful. There were also requests for household supplies, which are currently in higher demand than food in the Donbas region.
Humanitarian Aid with Bread
Thanks to our partners at Ukraine TrustChain, we can distribute bread to those in need free of charge. As usual, while giving out bread, we received many thanks from families.
Kharkiv region, Znamianka: “My name is Svitlana Mykolaivna, I’m 54 years old. I live with my grandchildren and daughter-in-law. I sincerely thank the ‘Step with Hope’ Foundation for providing bread for us.”
Kharkiv region, Merefa: “I am Liubov Leonidivna, living in Merefa, born in 1956, a pensioner. My husband passed away, and both of my sons died. My granddaughter and her children (the youngest has a disability) moved to Western Ukraine due to the war. My pension is very small due to inflation, and my health is failing. I am so grateful to ‘Step with Hope’ for helping me survive by providing bread.”
Kharkiv region, Krasnohrad: “I am Nina Yakivna, 78 years old, displaced from Slatyne, Kharkiv region. My home was destroyed during the shelling. My family has lost everything, but we must keep living. I am very grateful to ‘Step with Hope’ for the bread you provide. Thank you!”
Kharkiv region, Pervomaiskyi: Over the past week, the number of people receiving help slightly increased. Volunteers are delivering bread to villages in the district and distributing it to those in need. People are very thankful to everyone involved in this noble cause. We thank the foundation and hope the aid continues until the situation in the country improves.
Kharkiv region, Nova Vodolaha: Pensioners, displaced persons, people with disabilities, large families, and the temporarily unemployed are receiving bread. The situation in the village remains calm, and we hope it stays that way. However, many displaced persons remain in the village, and finding work is difficult as people used to commute to Kharkiv. We thank ‘Step with Hope’ for their support.
Kharkiv region, Balakliia: Pensioners, people with disabilities, the unemployed, and displaced persons received aid. The number of people coming for bread has increased. People are extremely grateful for the help during this tough time.
Kharkiv: In one of Kharkiv’s aid centers, people were pleasantly surprised to receive a different type of bread, called “brick” bread, instead of the usual loaves. They commented on how especially fragrant the bread was that day and expressed their deep gratitude for the ongoing support from the foundation and sponsors.
Dnipropetrovsk region, Synelnykove: Displaced people from Artemivsk. A family moved here at the end of 2023, and the head of the family arrived on January 1, 2024. The bread they receive is helping them survive, and they are immensely thankful to ‘Step with Hope’ and the sponsors for their support.
Dnipropetrovsk region, Sofiivka: A Mercy House, home to sick and elderly pensioners, also received free bread. They are grateful to ‘Step with Hope’ for the attention to their institution and the weekly bread support.
Dnipropetrovsk region, Kamianske: “I am Hanna Mykolaivna, 74 years old. I arrived on May 18, 2022, from Soledar, Bakhmut district, Donetsk region, with my daughter. My house in Soledar was destroyed when a shell hit the veranda, causing a fire. Thank God we survived. In Kamianske, I rent a very expensive apartment with my daughter. I try to come for bread every time, as it is a great support for us displaced people.”
Kherson Region: Our volunteers distributed bread in the Kherson region to villages like Ivanivka, Arkhanhelske, and Andriivka (pensioners, large low-income families, the unemployed, and displaced persons). People expressed deep gratitude for the fresh and tasty bread.
Assistance with Glasses
Thanks to our invaluable partners at Restoring Vision, we have launched a project that offers people the gift of clearer sight. We provide free glasses to residents of Dnipro and nearby regions, helping them once again appreciate the world’s beauty in the smallest details. This project isn’t just about vision support; it’s about giving people a chance to regain clarity in life, opening new horizons and overcoming limitations.
Kamianske: “My name is Svitlana, I’m 53 years old, and I came from Popasna, Luhansk region. I left my home in 2014, as the war started earlier there. I rent an apartment in Kamianske. My sister arrived with her family in 2022. Our town is occupied, and it’s no longer possible to return. I want to express my gratitude to the sponsors for the wonderful glasses I received. You are doing an amazing job helping displaced people.”
Dnipro: “My name is Iryna, and I never thought that a simple pair of glasses could change my life so much. For several years, I saw the world in a blur, which not only made work difficult but also everyday tasks. Thanks to this aid, I can now see clearly again—people, faces, colors. It feels like I’ve regained a part of myself. Thank you so much to everyone who made this possible. These are more than just glasses—they are a new perspective on life!”
Support for People in Especially Difficult Situations
Kharkiv, Kamianska Yaruha, Mala Danylivka: The situation in the city hasn’t changed significantly over the past week. New refugees continue to arrive from Kupiansk and Kivsharivka. The number of people needing help and support is not decreasing. People come for aid, to talk, and simply to warm up, as there is still no heating in most high-rise buildings and dormitories where displaced persons live.
Kherson
The “Step with Hope” team continues to assist Kherson residents with their challenges. This week, we worked hard to help residents eliminate rodents in their homes, which have become more active with the cold weather.
We also helped people install generators and refuel them, as some areas still lack electricity due to ongoing enemy shelling. Repairs are not possible as it’s too dangerous to send repair crews.
Additionally, we evacuated a young man and his dog from one of these areas. He had been searching for someone to help him evacuate with his dog for a long time, and “Step with Hope” immediately responded when the request was received.
In Kherson, there are no schools or lyceums offering in-person education. The only option for children is online learning. A boy named Yehor asked for help repairing his laptop, as its malfunction prevented him from attending classes. Our team repaired the device, and the boy was thrilled to see his classmates again and continue his education online.
We also helped a disabled woman get rid of fleas in her home. She has mobility issues and can only move around using a walker. When a neighboring house was hit by shelling, debris landed in her yard, bringing fleas into her home, especially her kitchen. The fleas made it impossible for her to cook or even stay in the kitchen. We assisted her in getting rid of the pests so that she could live comfortably again. We also provided two other women with chemicals for their own pest control.
Nikopol
Activities at our Nikopol aid center remain stable. We continue to distribute drinking water, providing three tons over three days this week.
This week, we also delivered sweets to the village of Myropil, where 40 displaced children are currently living, including two large families. The road was rough, and although we wanted to capture photos and videos, we arrived late in the evening. When we got there, we were greeted by cold children patiently waiting for us outside.
In addition to our trip to Myropil, we delivered food aid to soldiers in a village in the Nikopol district. Over time, the influx of support for soldiers has decreased, and we try to support them as much as we can.
Hanna lives with her two children. We have been supporting them for two years now. We remember when we were providing them with diapers, and today the child has grown significantly. The children often get sick, especially the younger one, and Hanna frequently stays with her in the hospital. Her husband is unemployed and takes on unofficial jobs due to issues with the military enlistment office. At times, our assistance was their only source of survival.
Yulia, a child psychologist, is currently on maternity leave. Her child was born during the most intense shelling, which continued day and night. The decision was made to leave Nikopol. The family spent a year in a remote village near Vinnytsia, with no amenities and no opportunities to earn a living. I remember sending them aid to that village. When all their resources were depleted, they moved to Dnipro. Yulia’s husband, Mykhailo, worked as a mechanic at an auto service station, from early morning until late at night. As the sole provider for the family, he understood he had no one else to rely on. He endured all the hardships with stoic resolve and never complained. A few months ago, he was sent to the front. Now, Yulia is trying to survive on her own.
Pavlohrad
In Pavlohrad, we continue to provide material, humanitarian, and social support to the local population. The situation in the city is stable and calm, with no recent strikes. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) continue to arrive, and we strive to offer help to everyone we can. This week, we were able to assist Halyna, who arrived from Kherson but ended up without any warm clothing. She needed a jacket, and we were overjoyed and relieved when we found her a warm coat that fit her perfectly. She was very grateful. The “Share the Warmth” project remains relevant and active.
Kryvyi Rih
Anatoliy, a resident of a night shelter, found himself in difficult life circumstances. He takes odd jobs when possible and finds refuge at this shelter. Together with the other residents, he is very grateful for the opportunity to receive a fresh loaf of bread once a week from the “MBF Step with Hope” foundation. Mr. Valentyn is disabled and unable to work for a living due to health issues. He cannot afford to train for a different profession due to his condition. He has long relied on support from the shelter and is deeply thankful for the weekly aid in the form of freshly baked bread from the foundation. Unfortunately, this week, Kryvyi Rih experienced another shelling. A powerful strike hit just 200 meters from the home of our volunteer, Yuriy. There were many victims.
Psychological Assistance
Thanks to our partners at MCC and World Relief, we are able to support the mental health of people, both collectively and individually. This week, many programs were implemented for children, teenagers, and adults. In Novomoskovsk and Kryvyi Rih, regular sessions are held to heal emotional wounds. In Dnipro, psychological assistance is available through support groups and personal consultations with psychologists. In Synelnykove, support groups with psychologists are also held on a regular basis.
