“Thanks to the Ukrainian Red Cross, I know I won’t be left alone,” said Vira Vasylivna, a beneficiary of the Ukrainian Red Cross Home-Based Care programme

Vira, her husband Volodymyr, and their three children lived in the town of Huliaipole in the Zaporizhzhia region. The couple raised their grandchildren, worked at local enterprises, and owned a small plot of land. The family lived a comfortable, steady life and had many friends.

But the full-scale war in Ukraine changed everything. Due to constant shelling and threats to their lives, the family had to relocate. Vira and Volodymyr moved to Zaporizhzhia, where Volodymyr fell ill and passed away, leaving Vira alone. Following these difficult events, constant stress, and grief, Vira’s health deteriorated. She developed problems with her legs and found it difficult to move around independently.

Vira then reached out to the Ukrainian Red Cross Home-Based Care team in Zaporizhzhia. Currently, social helper Tetiana Bakum assists Vira with household chores and provides psychosocial support, which is crucial for her well-being. Vira has also received humanitarian and financial aid, which helps her feel more secure and reassured that she will not be left alone in difficult times.