Rebuilding a future: A displaced family finds stability in Mykolaiv

When Artem and Sofiia fled home in eastern Ukraine in April 2022, they carried little more than documents and a few essential belongings. Artem, 29, a family doctor from Siversk in Donetsk region, and Sofiia, 24, a psychologist from Kramatorsk, arrived in Berezanka, Mykolaiv region with their young daughter Varvara, now five, after escaping intense shelling that left their hometown severely damaged.

“Leaving home was not only about getting to safety. It was about accepting that everything we had built would have to start again from zero,” says Artem.

Like many internally displaced families, their first months were marked by uncertainty. The family moved between temporary accommodations before settling in rented housing in Berezanka. For nearly four years, they lived in a small rented apartment, allocating most of their income to cover rent and utilities. While Artem managed to continue working, the instability of housing and the financial burden limited the family’s ability to plan for the future.

Despite these challenges, Artem quickly integrated into the local healthcare system and began working as a family doctor in the community. His presence became particularly valuable given the strain on rural medical services caused by displacement and ongoing security risks.