Ukraine: DRC and the European Union launch new humanitarian project to support conflict-affected communities

The 12-month initiative, supported by the European Union, will assist more than 30,000 people whose lives have been torn apart by conflict.

It will bring together several forms of assistance — from helping families repair damaged homes and restart their livelihoods to providing legal aid, psychosocial support, and risk education sessions in areas contaminated by explosives.

Supporting communities across Ukraine

The project will operate in 11 Oblasts of Ukraine, including Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Lviv, Poltava and Cherkasy. Each of these areas continues to face the aftermath of shelling, displacement, and loss of livelihoods.

In areas close to the frontline, DRC teams will provide legal counselling and psychological support, help people replace lost documents, and assist women and girls affected by violence. In other areas, small farmers will receive targeted cash support to restart agricultural activities and provide food for their families.

To help people live safely in their communities, DRC’s mine action teams will continue to deliver life-saving risk education sessions, teaching adults and children how to recognise and avoid explosive hazards.

Working hand in hand with local partners

A key feature of the initiative is close collaboration with Ukrainian Civil Society organisations and community-based groups. This approach ensures that assistance is adapted to local realities and reaches people who are often overlooked — including older persons, persons with disabilities, and marginalised groups.

The initiative builds on the previous collaboration between DRC and the European Union and expands activities to new communities where needs remain acute.

Beyond immediate relief, the project aims to create stronger, more resilient communities — supporting people not only to survive, but to recover and rebuild.