The social development bank for Europe

Repairing homes in Ukraine

“I live each day with gratitude and joy”: Anastasiya, beneficiary of a home repair project in Ukraine.

For Anastasiya[1], Slatine, a village in eastern Ukraine, has been home for nearly 50 years. The course of Anastasiya’s life changed in early 2022. A mere 15 kilometres from the Russian border, Slatine was occupied by Russian forces during the early days of the war.

Initially sheltering in her basement, Anastasiya sought refuge in a town 450 kilometres away, when shells started landing dangerously close to her home. She eventually returned home once Ukrainian forces reclaimed the area.

Anastasiya’s home-coming was heart-breaking. A smashed entrance door, shattered windows and numerous bullet holes meant the damages were too severe for Anastasiya to repair on her own due to her age, health and income.

Anastasiya with a CRS staff in front of her home

Fortunately, Anastasiya was deemed eligible for free repairs during a visit from Caritas staff, who assessed the necessary repairs and identified a contractor to carry them out. Commenting on the support she received, Anastasiya emphasised: “The staff communicated very well with me, and the repairs were done quickly. I was very happy with the team as they did an excellent job.” Given her circumstances, simply surviving the war itself is an achievement, Anastasiya remarked, and concluded our interview saying, “I live each day with gratitude and joy.”

The home repair project is financed by a €2 million grant from two CEB trust funds, the Migrant and Refugee Fund and the Ukraine Solidarity Fund. The project is implemented by Catholic Relief Services in partnership with Caritas Ukraine and Caritas Spes Ukraine, and aims to provide light and medium home repairs to over 500 vulnerable, conflict-affected households in Kharkiv Oblast.

[1] Name has been changed

Repairing homes in Ukraine

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