By Ihor Tereshchenko, LHI Ukraine Country Director
Evacuees waiting to board the bus out of Zaporizhzhia.
In the heart of eastern Ukraine, where the ceaseless sounds of artillery have become the grim soundtrack of everyday life, a group of ordinary people join efforts to make a difference. They are not soldiers or politicians, but volunteers—people who risk everything to bring the most vulnerable people out of the shadow of war and into the light of hope.
The eastern regions of Donetsk, Dnipro, and Zaporizhzhia have turned into some of the most perilous places in Europe. Streets once filled with laughter are now marked by destruction and the haunting emptiness of those who have fled. Yet, for many—the elderly, the disabled, mothers with young children—escape isn't as easy as it seems.
This is where our team decided to act. Understanding that this was more than just a relocation effort, we saw it as a lifeline—a chance to offer people a way out when all other doors had closed. Our objective was clear and urgent: evacuate those who couldn't leave on their own, providing them with not just a temporary respite but the possibility of rebuilding their lives away from the constant threat of war.
Every journey into these regions is a calculated risk. The roads are fraught with military checkpoints, unpredictable shelling, and the chance that plans may have to change in an instant. Our volunteers navigate this landscape with a mix of courage and caution, fully aware that each trip could be their last.
A girl waits for the bus to depart.
But it's not just the physical dangers that weigh on them. The emotional toll is immense. Meeting people who've lost everything—their homes reduced to rubble, their communities shattered—is a sobering experience. But it's also what fuels our determination to keep going.
Take Oleh, for example. A retired teacher from Orikhiv, his life was dedicated to educating the next generation. Now, his hometown lies in ruins, just 8 kilometers from the frontline. He and his wife, also a teacher, are now heading to Denmark, leaving behind the life they built together.
“The school where I taught for 30 years is gone. We have to start over, but at least I hope we'll be safe.”
Then there's Andriy, a priest and chaplain from Donetsk who spent months providing spiritual support to those around him. But after injuring his arm during shelling, he had no choice but to evacuate. His bedridden mother remains trapped in an occupied town.
“Leaving her was the hardest decision I've ever made. Every day, I pray for her safety and for the strength to bring her out of there.”
Our team's success depends on the unwavering dedication of people like Serhii, our driver who maneuvers through dangerous territories with a steady hand and calm presence. Volunteers like Stas offer not just logistical support and management but a comforting presence to those who've endured unimaginable hardships.
These are people who don't seek recognition or praise. Their reward is the knowledge that they've made a tangible difference in someone's life. They face the same dangers as those they're helping, yet they choose to return, trip after trip, because they know the need is still there.
Evacuees preparing to leave with their lives and belongings packed into just a few bags.
Together with support from the 188 Foundation, we’ve provided the resources needed to carry out these complex and risky operations. It's a testament to what can be achieved when compassion crosses borders and unites people in a common cause.
In total, we've evacuated 105 people from the epicenters of conflict—105 lives given a second chance. Each person carries with them a story of resilience and the hope for a safer future. Families have been reunited, children can sleep without fear, and the elderly have found peace away from the constant barrage of war.
But our work is far from over. The conflict continues, and with it, the number of those in desperate need of support grows. Yet, seeing the impact of our efforts fuels us to keep going.
It's easy to feel powerless in the face of such overwhelming hardship, but these missions show that individual actions can make a profound difference. We may not be able to stop the war, but we can change lives, one journey at a time.