Support Families in Ukraine and Worldwide

Tetiana is a 69-year-old Ukrainian woman who lives with her husband in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast and has participated in the International Rescue Committee’s (IRC) digital literacy sessions. Although she only owns a small flip phone and an old tablet, Tetiana decided to learn new digital skills. However, like many displaced older adults, she faces challenges that go beyond mastering technology.

Tetiana and her husband were displaced from their home during the war in Ukraine, arriving in Zaporizhzhia two years ago with little more than the clothes on their backs. “We came with just one bag,” she recalls. "We needed bedding, which we altered, and clothes that we also altered."

With limited resources, Tetiana turned to her lifelong skills of sewing and knitting to make the most of what they had. Using only her hands, as she no longer has access to a sewing machine, Tetiana repurposes items, creating pillowcases from skirts and duvet covers from sheets. Her ingenuity has helped her and her husband adapt to their new life, but the loss of home and familiarity weighs heavily on her. "Everything seems normal, we have housing, but it’s not home. Old people should be at home."

Her skills in sewing and knitting have been a source of calm for her, as she reflects, “Sewing and knitting are calming. I knitted some small rugs.” Tetiana’s love for these crafts has been a constant throughout her life, a skill she’s nurtured for over 50 years. She sews and knits not only to meet her family’s needs, but also as a form of emotional resilience.

For Tetiana, the IRC’s digital literacy sessions have provided a different kind of outlet—one that connects her to the modern world, while helping her stay in touch with loved ones. Though she admits she was initially hesitant about participating, she was encouraged by her friends and intrigued by the opportunity. “Well, it’s interesting. It’s interesting, engaging. I like it,” she explains with a smile, highlighting the joy she’s found in the learning process. The digital literacy lessons, taught by Oleh and Lilia, have been particularly impactful for her. “Both Oleh and Lilia explain things in an accessible way,” she added.

While Tetiana owns a flip phone and a tablet, she isn’t certain she’ll upgrade to newer technology. “The thing is, we have a tablet at home that the children gave us. But it’s very old. I have some skills and understanding, but everything is okay.” For her, it’s less about acquiring the latest device and more about staying connected with the people who matter most. Tetiana admits that video calls aren’t a priority right now. “We don’t have a camera. The tablet is old, probably 10 years old. The main thing is to hear from them. That they’re alive, that’s the main thing. Everyone is alive. And that you’re all alive,” she says.

The sense of community Tetiana found in Zaporizhzhia has been another crucial aspect of her resilience. Many of her friends from Hulyaipole, a nearby village, have also been displaced, and they meet regularly to support one another. “Yes, we meet, support each other, and share humanitarian aid when it’s available. We call each other,” she says, describing the informal network of displaced people who have banded together in this time of need. Although some of her friends have moved on, the connections Tetiana has maintained provide her with a sense of belonging in a place that doesn’t feel like home.

The IRC’s efforts to help people like Tetiana go beyond digital literacy. By providing a space where displaced individuals can learn new skills and connect with others, the IRC helps foster a sense of agency and community in a time of profound disruption. For Tetiana, the sessions are a welcome distraction from the hardships of displacement. “It’s useful, of course. Everything is useful; learning is useful. It doesn’t matter how old you are,” she says.

Yet, beneath her positive outlook lies a deep sense of loss and dislocation. When asked whether her life has improved over the past two years, Tetiana is candid: “No, we’re safe, but you know, there’s a saying, you can’t move an old person to another place. You need to take care of the elderly where they live. It’s very hard to adapt.” For older adults like Tetiana, displacement isn’t just a physical challenge—it’s an emotional and psychological one. She and her husband may have found safety in Zaporizhzhia, but for her, nothing can replace the feeling of being home.

How is the IRC supporting the most war-affected regions of Ukraine?

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has been at the forefront of providing critical humanitarian assistance to the most war-affected regions of Ukraine, particularly in the east and southeast, including Odesa, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Donbas.

By partnering with local organizations and operating out of its offices in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Odesa, the IRC has reached over 614,000 people by January 2024. This includes vital psychosocial support, women and girls’ safe spaces, and healthcare services provided by IRC mobile units, which have conducted over 25,000 medical consultations, benefiting 8,000 clients. Additionally, the IRC has supported 68 health facilities with essential medical supplies and equipment.

The IRC has also delivered shelter kits, including household repair materials, gas stoves, warm clothing, blankets, hygiene items, and dignity kits, to over 204,000 individuals. Moreover, the IRC's financial assistance programs have benefited 139,000 people, helping vulnerable families cover their basic needs in the face of ongoing conflict. In response to immediate post-attack needs, IRC's rapid response teams have been deployed to address complex crises in Kharkiv and Dnipro regions. The organization continues to provide essential protection services, including Safe Healing and Learning Spaces for children, gender-based violence services, women’s centers, legal assistance, and comprehensive health support.