Alina is a psychologist and mother of three. She is from Kiev and has turned her children's passion for chess into a chess club. Photo: Olha Petrova/Oxfam
The war in Ukraine
3 years later. Oxfam and our partners are on the ground.
Millions have fled Ukraine
Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the consequences have been devastating. The war has so far caused thousands of civilian casualties and destroyed vital infrastructure, people's homes, schools, hospitals and water supplies. Millions of people have fled their homes. The war has now been going on for three years. Oxfam has been on the ground since February 2022 and, together with our partners, has reached 2.4 million people in Ukraine and the surrounding region with aid.
Millions of people are still in need of supportAs in other conflicts, marginalized groups and those close to conflict zones are particularly vulnerable. In order to best support people and communities, our partners, with their local knowledge and expertise, have been crucial in ensuring that interventions have been effective and made a real difference.
Oxfam is on the ground providing life-saving support. So far, we have reached 2.4 million people in Ukraine and the surrounding region. With your support, we can reach even more.
Want to know more about how Oxfam works in Ukraine?
Read our 2.5 year report on our work in Ukraine
2.5 years in UkraineRead our 2-year report on our work in Ukraine and the region
2 years in Ukraine"I want to breathe out again - I want the whole country to breathe out and rest. I want everyone to be able to return home."
Anna Kulyeva, founder of the "Anika" Foundation
What happened in Ukraine?
Needs in Ukraine have changed over the years. People close to the conflict in the eastern part of the country have had high humanitarian needs, in summer 2023 the conflict in these areas intensified and thousands had to leave their homes. In June 2023, an explosion occurred in the Kakhovka Dam in Kherson Oblast, leading to flooding. Up to one million people lost access to clean water and 140,000 were left without electricity. Following the disaster, Oxfam worked with partners to quickly support affected people.
Intensified attacks on energy infrastructure in 2024 mean that civilians, especially the most vulnerable groups, will face difficulties in accessing basic services such as clean water, gas and heating.
There is a growing humanitarian need in areas close to the frontline, where close to 40,000 people had to flee in October and November 2024 alone. At the same time, funding for humanitarian assistance is shrinking, a trend that is likely to continue. Despite funding difficulties and the constant threat of attacks, local humanitarian organizations, civil society and grassroots movements continue to stand strong in their commitment to deliver life-saving support to people affected.
Oxfam's work in Ukraine
The importance of local expertise
As always, Oxfam works on the principle of empowering and supporting local humanitarian leaders for aid to be effective. We work with a feminist approach where we try to look at the big picture, to ensure that aid reaches marginalized groups. Our work in Ukraine is further evidence that humanitarian action is most effective when it is driven by local needs and in partnership with local organizations. It is thanks to the close cooperation with local organizations that the aid has been able to reach out as quickly and effectively as possible.
Anna Kulyeva, founder of the "Anika" foundation, shows photos on her mobile phone. Photo: Olha Petrova/Oxfam
Alina's story:
Alina Smyrnova is a mother of three and a psychologist. She watched her children develop a passion for chess and when she couldn't find a chess club nearby, she took matters into her own hands and started her own. In addition to the chess club, people can practice Pilates and receive psychological support. In this way, she has created a community for people to grow and both receive and give support.
Alina gives children from large families the chance to participate for free and hopes to engage more teenagers in the future to give them the opportunity to participate in meaningful activities. Oxfam and partner WCU have supported Alina in developing a business plan and provided grants to purchase furniture, equipment and items to ensure the business can continue during power cuts.
Alina is a psychologist and mother of three. She is from Kiev and has turned her children's passion for chess into a chess club. Photo: Olha Petrova/Oxfam
Working with already vulnerable groups
Oxfam's work is always based on local needs, in Ukraine we are working with seven partner organizations that work with marginalized groups in Ukraine. This includes Roma, women, LGBTI+ people, people living near the frontline and those living in rural areas with limited access to humanitarian support. A strong civil society in Ukraine means that the people who need support continue to get it, now and in the future.
The Anika Foundation visits Hanna's house, where new windows were installed to replace those damaged during attacks. Photo: Olha Petrova/Oxfam
Oxfam is on the ground in several other emergencies
In parallel to the response to people fleeing Ukraine, we are working on the ground in several other emergencies around the world.
The simplest, and most cost-effective, way to support people affected by war, conflict and disaster is to become a monthly donor. It allows us to work for long-term change, against injustice and oppression - while responding to emergency situations where the need is greatest right now.
Act in solidarity
Questions and answers
The path towards a truly sustainable and just peace must obviously include Ukrainians, especially Ukrainian women and civil society. Russia's invasion violated international law and this aggression must not be rewarded. Legitimizing an act of aggression risks setting a standard that could threaten the entire international rules-based order designed to prevent wars before they break out. Whether or not Ukraine and Russia agree to negotiate a peace plan, civilians must be protected, in line with their commitments under international humanitarian and human rights law.
