Emergency shelter materials help families stay in their homes after attacks in Kharkiv region

In Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, where communities remain close to the front line, families continue to face the risk of damage to their homes. When this happens, emergency shelter materials can provide crucial, timely support, helping people seal broken windows, roofs and walls, protect their belongings, and remain in their homes while more permanent repairs are arranged.

For 76-year-old Hanna, her home in the village of Artemivka has been a safe haven for most of her life. She has lived in the village since she was 15 and in the same house for the past 17 years. But after an overnight attack on 30 June, the house was damaged.

That night, Hanna was at home with her two grandchildren when the attack struck. “I woke up to a loud sound and was very frightened. I could not get up from my bed by myself, so I started calling my younger grandson. He tried to calm me down,” Hanna said. The blast wave damaged the roof, shattered the windows, and forced open the doors and the ventilation ducts of the stove.

“Luckily, nothing fell on me. But the kitchen window was blown out, and the roof was badly damaged. Two windows on the veranda were completely shattered. The whole yard was covered with glass. I think we still have not collected all of it,” she explained. Hanna received materials from UNHCR for emergency repairs. The family used them to address the damage while they prepared documents to apply for compensation under the state programme.

“I was very worried about what we would do with the house. Life in the village is difficult, there is no work, and my grandchildren earn money through small temporary jobs. Thanks to the materials provided, we were able to cover the broken windows and protect the roof, which will protect our house from bad weather. Now it will be easier for us to wait for further assistance with the repairs,” said Hanna.

For older people like Hanna, the ability to make urgent repairs can be especially important, allowing them to remain in familiar surroundings rather than having to leave their homes. With support from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), UNHCR and its partners provide emergency repair materials to help families protect their homes from harsh weather conditions and regain a sense of stability after their lives have been disrupted.