Emergency cash provides lifeline for people who have fled frontline areas, leaving all behind

For Tetiana and her husband Anatolii, living in the village of Liubymivka in Ukraine’s southeastern Zaporizhzhia, for years the reality of their everyday life was the constant threat from Russian attacks.

“It was really scary. Our village is maybe 10-15 km from the frontline, and we tried to get used to it, tried to continue our lives. It became very difficult when they began using glided bombs,” explains 54-year old Tetiana.

The couple clung on to home, built by Anatolii, and where they had chicken and ducks, until March 2026, when an attack hit their house. “We had to flee, and we left with the clothes we had on,” she recalls. They had to leave behind all their belongings as well as the chicken and ducks that were covered by the rubble and debris. They managed to take their beloved dog Jassie who since the attack cannot hear as it suffered a shell shock.

The couple fled to Zaporizhzhia city, further from the frontline, where attacks are also regular, but where they feel safer than in their home village. At first, they lived with family members, but then they managed to rent a small apartment thanks to the few savings they had. However, since leaving behind their home and livelihoods, making ends meet remains challenging.

The couple received emergency cash assistance from UNHCR, though its NGO partner Right to Protection – essential support provided to newly displaced people who flee from frontline areas as well as families whose homes are directly impacted by aerial strikes. This is made possible thanks to funding from donors, including the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund. And the money has already made a huge difference, underlines Tetiana. “This cash support helps us a lot. We were able to buy some clothing, as we came with nothing, and we can cover the rent and utilities bills for now. We hope this money can last us a few months.”

The couple has also applied for and received compensation through the state compensation scheme for war-damaged homes – and they were supported in this process by lawyers from UNHCR-partner Right to Protection, providing free legal counseling to internally displaced, returnees and other war-affected people across Ukraine.

For Tetiana and Anatolii, the support has given them a much-needed lifeline to restart and rebuild in Zaporizhzhia city, but the homesickness still remains.

“I wish to return home to our village, but there is nothing left.”