The Prykhystok Program

Kateryna lived in Donetsk region until 2022 and arrived in Liutizh a week before the outbreak of full-scale war to visit her friend’s mother. Since then, this house has become her and her daughter’s new home. Due to the ongoing dangers in Donetsk region, she is reluctant to return, prioritizing safety for her family. The state program Prykhystok has been a lifeline for Kateryna and her daughter, providing compensation to the owner of the house, Maia, for accommodating internally displaced persons free of charge.

In addition to Kateryna and her daughter, the house is also home to Mariia, who sought refuge here almost two years ago, fleeing the constant shelling of Chasiv Yar, a town near the already occupied Bakhmut. Now, the women live together, sharing all their joyful and sorrowful moments, and they are grateful for the opportunity to reside in relative peace, far from the front line.

The state program Prykhystok was funded by the Ukrainian Red Cross and provided monthly compensation to homeowners who offered free accommodation to internally displaced persons.