Driving through the affected areas of Kherson Region, the damage from the war is visible at every turn. Fields are mined, homes are damaged, and roads are nearly empty. The closer we get to the frontline, the more destruction we see. Entire buildings reduced to rubble, a stark reminder of the constant threats people face. Some villages are eerily quiet, their residents gone, having fled the relentless daily dangers that have made staying impossible.
As Russia’s war on Ukraine continues, the needs of affected communities grow more urgent by the day. In 2025, an estimated 12.7 million people — or one in three Ukrainians — will require humanitarian assistance, with the most urgent needs concentrated in frontline regions. That’s why UNFPA Ukraine joined an inter-agency humanitarian convoy organised by OCHA to deliver aid to residents of the Novoraisk community in Kherson region. As part of the mission, we provided over 1,000 dignity kits — essential hygiene supplies that help women and girls take care of themselves in difficult conditions.
The Novoraisk Community, composed of nine villages and home to over 2,300 residents, is facing dire conditions. With almost 900 elderly individuals, almost 140 persons with disabilities (including children), and over 300 children living in the community, the need for humanitarian support is critical.
Basic infrastructure has been severely damaged — three villages lack electricity, two have no water supply, and all are under the daily threat of shelling and mining. The local health center has been destroyed, and access to healthcare remains extremely limited.
During our aid delivery, the village's calm was suddenly broken by the sharp sound of an air alert, standing out against the quiet and the faint noise of post-attack repairs. We quickly made our way to the mobile shelter set up in the center of the village — easily reachable from all directions. Inside, we found ourselves surrounded only by women. In the dim light, everyone closely followed their phones, trying to determine whether the threat was directed at their community or elsewhere in the region.
Moments like these are a stark reminder of the daily uncertainty people live with — and why we remain committed to standing by them, no matter what.
Kherson and the right-bank area of Kherson Region were occupied by the Russian Federation for over eight months before the Ukrainian government regained control in November 2022. Despite this, constant shelling, drone strikes, and aerial bombings continue to threaten the region, prompting ongoing civilian evacuations and sustained humanitarian support as communities strive to rebuild.
Despite these challenges, UNFPA Ukraine continues to stand with those in need. In places like Novoraisk village — close to the front line and under daily attacks — this support is not just helpful, it is vital.
