Snizhana Melnyk and her family used to live in Toretsk, Donetska Oblast. The family initially hoped not to leave their home, but in May it became clear that they needed to evacuate. The war left them no choice.
“For some time, we were packing and looking for ways to leave. We were thinking about the route, where we could go. There are four members of the family: mother, daughter, grandmother, and sister. They all reached the Kyivska Oblast together. They decided to stay in the village of Karapyshi of the Myroniv territorial community, where at that time a compact accommodation facility (CAF) was already being developed in the Zoryanyi children’s camp and health resort.”
The Kyivska Oblast receives IDPs on par with other regions. There are those who return home, and there are those who stay for the winter. Without the help of charitable organizations, cooperation with local authorities, and the efforts of the community, creating comfortable living conditions would not be possible.
The management of the camp said that on February 25, their team was getting ready to host children who came to the resort for relaxation and recreation. Instead, they had to set up accommodations for internally displaced persons from the east. In total, during this time, 469 people were received here, and 54 people have been staying in the CAF permanently for six months. Melnyk is one of these families.
Snizhana describes how their lives gradually improved:
“We were allocated rooms. It is good that we have the opportunity to stay together as a family. The staff did not accommodate strangers with us, for which we are grateful. They provided us with food and cleaning supplies. Initially, we had to go 20 kilometers to Myronivka to get everything we needed, because the center for providing the IDPs with humanitarian aid was located in the Myronivka House of Culture. Later, the local authorities arranged a point like this in our village council, and the need to travel to Myronivka regularly disappeared. It saves time and effort, it became easier for everyone”.
In September, representatives of the program United Voices in Action, which is implemented by the IREX organization in Ukraine together with the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services”, brought blankets, pillows, and bed linen to the CAF. Furthermore, they provided new refrigerators, boilers, microwaves, ovens, electric kettles, and multi-cookers for the kitchen.
Their everyday lives are shaped by mutual respect, said Ms. Snizhana:
“Now almost six dozen people of different ages live here. Thanks to the help we can cook and eat tasty and diverse meals. Now, when the power is cut off so often, we have to be especially organized and united, so that as soon as the light comes back on, everyone has time to cook hot food for their families and does not prevent others from doing the same. It is good that there are now enough household appliances to meet the needs of everyone. We find a common language with each other, as well as gradually get acquainted and establish relationships with local residents. They are very friendly to us, help us a lot, and ask what support we need.
In my opinion, we now have all the services we need, including medical care. In fact, our building even has the village outpatient clinic on the ground floor. In case we need additional consultations or examinations, we are referred to the hospital in Myronivka.
Our family, like other residents, stays here for the winter. We keep in touch with our neighbors who stayed in Toretsk. They say our house survived. However, the explosions blew out the windows and damaged the roof. As a result, our house is presently unlivable without substantial repairs. It is good that we have the opportunity to spend the winter here, in the Kyivska Oblast. We will wait for spring, believing in our Armed Forces and the help of other countries”.