Ukraine: “All we wanted was for the rain to stop dripping onto our heads” — repairing homes in Sumy Oblast

Between 17 and 25 March 2022, the village of Velykyi Vystorop in Sumy Oblast was under the occupation of the Russian Federation. As the forces withdrew, shelling affected residential areas, damaging homes and public infrastructure. For several weeks, residents faced disruptions to basic services and ongoing security concerns.

In one two-storey apartment block in Velykyi Vystorop, people are still piecing their lives back together. Among them is Tamara*, a retired schoolteacher who has lived in the same flat with her husband for over 40 years. Before the full-scale invasion, she says, the roof had been leaking slightly — something they simply lived with. But in 2022, a direct hit during shelling shifted the structure of the building. The windows shattered, the balconies were damaged, and the entire stairwell began to flood whenever it rained.

“After that particular shelling, it all moved,” Tamara recalls.

Making homes comfortable again

In spring 2025, this household became one of several to receive assistance from the DRC thanks to the support from Switzerland through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. Through the programme, DRC supported the roofing and insulation works in the apartment blocks, enabling contractors to carry out the necessary repairs. For three years, people had to cope with the damage, as repairs were impossible without resources or support. This helped people restore basic living conditions and prepare their homes for the cold months ahead.

“At first, the project aimed only to provide insulation,” explains Oleksii, DRC Shelter & Settlements Officer. “But after the technical assessment, we saw that the roof itself needed to be replaced as well.”

Tamara and her neighbours, many of them elderly, watched the repair works from a distance — sometimes peeking out from behind the shed to see how the team was getting on. “The workers were incredibly respectful. The rain delayed them a little, but they finished quickly. The roof is solid now. No more dripping, no more wind through the attic.”

Beyond shelter repairs, DRC teams visit the villages regularly with different kinds of assistance — from Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) sessions to cash aid, help with utilities and solid fuel in winter, legal awareness activities, and psychosocial support that strengthens the community ties. All this has been made possible thanks to the contributions of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the European Union’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid, and the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund.

Urban recovery efforts in Sumy and beyond

DRC’s Shelter & Settlements Team is also helping residents in the city of Sumy — just 35 kilometres from the border with the Russian Federation — where the locals remain vulnerable to regular drone and missile strikes. As evacuations continue from frontline areas, the city has become a critical hub for displaced families, putting additional pressure on housing and infrastructure.

In January 2025, one of Sumy’s residential districts was hit by a drone, causing extensive damage. “A hole was torn through nearly the entire wall of the house,” recalls Aliona*, whose family was affected. “You could see the furniture, children’s drawings, and other belongings — all exposed through the gash.” The neighbouring home took the direct hit, but both were badly damaged. Fortunately, no one was injured.

This spring, DRC supported urgent repair works in the city, replacing shattered windows and helping families get back to living more comfortably. “We focused on restoring basic protection against the harsh weather,” explains Oleksii, DRC Shelter and Settlements Officer.

Still, some needs remain unmet. “The flooring between the ceiling and roof was badly damaged,” Aliona says. “We’ve propped it up with wooden panels, but full repairs are too costly. We’re still waiting for help from the state programme — and winter is coming fast.”

With support from Switzerland through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, DRC continues to assist families affected by the war across northern, eastern, and south-eastern Ukraine.

In Sumy Oblast, support has included full roofing and insulation works in Velykyi Vystorop, and insulation works in Malyi Vystorop. In the city of Sumy and the nearby village of Kosivshchyna, DRC replaced shattered windows, while cash assistance for urgent repairs was provided in Shostka and Svesa. Whether in city apartments or rural homes, the goal remains the same: helping people stay safe and warm.

*Names were changed for safety purposes.