UNHCR delivers emergency shelter kits to support people in front-line communities
UNHCR delivers emergency shelter kits to support people in front-line communities
The Kherson region in southern Ukraine remains at the forefront of the ongoing crisis in the country. Despite repeated calls from authorities urging people to evacuate to safer areas, many people, especially of older age, choose to stay where they feel deeply connected to their communities and homes.
Volodymyr Tymohin, 95 years old, has lived in southern Ukraine his entire life and, like many older residents, has chosen to remain despite the dangers. Born in 1929 in Crimea, he was just 11 when the Second World War reached his doorstep, forcing his family to flee their home and resettle in the city of Kherson.
After the war, he returned to civilian life, working first as a blacksmith and eventually rising to lead the supply and distribution department at the Kherson Ceramic Plant. He built a life there with his wife, who passed away seven years ago. Since then, he has lived alone with no support. Now in his tenth decade of life, Volodymyr remains entirely self-reliant despite deteriorating mobility. He walks with a cane, lives in a modest home, and finds comfort in reading.
“I lived through the Second World War, and now, when all I want is peace and a calm old age, I have to go through another conflict again. I’m still afraid. The fear never goes away — it just changes with age. But now I’m old, and I can’t run or hide like I used to,” he said.
Recently, Volodymyr’s house was damaged as a result of the conflict: the roof was partially torn, and the windows were shattered. For an elderly man living alone, such destruction was devastating.
Through KSrelief’s support, emergency shelter assistance was delivered to Volodymyr through UNHCR’s local partner, the Tenth of April. He received plastic sheeting and wooden boards, which allowed him to seal the roof and protect his home from extreme weather conditions. This rapid support is critical for people like Volodymyr, especially during summer months, when timely repairs before winter arrives can prevent further damage and discomfort. This assistance didn’t just help restore his damaged home, it reminded him that he is not forgotten.
“I’m alone, and no one takes care of me. But with this support, I felt that I’m still needed and that someone sees me and cares,” Volodymyr said.
Volodymyr is one of more than 70,000 people across Ukraine who received emergency shelter materials between January and July 2025 through UNHCR’s shelter programme. Since the start of the crisis, more than 470,000 people have been supported with emergency materials to temporarily repair damaged roofs, walls, and windows, often the only option available to keep families safe until longer-term repairs can be made. This assistance is often accompanied by psychosocial support, legal aid, help with restoring lost documents or claiming compensation, as well as essential items and emergency cash assistance.
Thanks to the collaboration between UNHCR and the KSrelief, people like Volodymyr are able to remain in their homes with dignity, even in the middle of the crisis.
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