Ukraine: Strengthening local responses in a time of war

Humanitarian actors, including the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and its two local partners, supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), are working urgently to provide aid to those most in need.

Among them is Valentyna, an older woman displaced from Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast. For years, she and her husband had built a comfortable life — a house, a small garden with pear trees, and two beloved dogs.

"Life was not always easy, but we had everything we needed," she recalls. "Everything changed in an instant when we had to leave it all behind."

A shelling struck the neighbouring street, reducing two houses to rubble. Her husband had been out walking the dogs when it happened. As soon as he returned, Valentyna made a decision. "Pack what we need and find a way out."

But it was easier said than done. Electricity had been out for four days, and without communication, finding transportation was nearly impossible. They packed lightly — just enough to cook for their dogs and a few essentials for themselves. Relief assistance had been their only source of supplies, and as they faced the unknown, every blanket, every piece of kitchenware, and every bit of food mattered.

When asked what she managed to bring, Valentyna’s answer is simple: "The most valuable things — my husband and our dogs. We have nothing else."

Now, in their new location, they have only the bare essentials — some warm clothes, a suitcase, and little else. Even the most basic household items, things they had never thought twice about, were suddenly beyond reach. The non-food and hygiene kits they received — provided by the Angels of Salvation — containing a blanket, a bucket with a lid, and kitchen supplies, became invaluable.

"After 60 years of life, after working hard and preparing for retirement, we ended up with nothing. We had a home, a good salary, and a peaceful future. Now, we are starting over."

With winter already upon them, the donated bedding and kitchenware provide some comfort. But the weight of displacement is ever-present.

"When you live in your own home, you don’t think about the little things — a toothbrush, clean clothes, a hot meal. You take them for granted. But when you have nothing, every small thing matters."

Aid delivered through local partnerships

Localisation — shifting aid leadership to local actors — is a key priority in Ukraine’s humanitarian response. Local civil society organisations (CSOs) ensure aid reaches the most vulnerable while ensuring a tailored and more sustainable response. Among them, Misto Syly (City of Power) and Angels of Salvation, supported by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) with funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, have reached over 2,600 people in Kherson and Donetsk Oblast hardest-hit villages.

A cornerstone of DRC’s localisation strategy is the close collaboration with civil society organisations working at the heart of remote communities. This enables a swift, gender- and age-sensitive emergency response to address the immediate consequences of the war while allowing for greater flexibility in adapting to emerging crises.

"Aware of the local context and needs, these organisations are able to swiftly deliver emergency response in communities bearing the brunt of the crisis," shares Sofia Jarvis, DRC Localisation and Partnerships Coordinator in Ukraine.

"The Danish Refugee Council seeks not only to implement life-saving humanitarian projects in collaboration with our partners but also to strengthen their capacity and leadership in humanitarian response. Through these partnerships, organisations such as Misto Syly and Angels of Salvation have been instrumental in delivering aid where it is needed most while developing their capacity to implement cash-based assistance."

Helping the most vulnerable through community-driven support

In 2024, national non-governmental organisations (NGOs), local volunteers, international NGOs, and United Nations agencies worked together to provide lifesaving assistance to over 8 million people affected by the war in Ukraine, particularly in frontline areas. Local actors ensured aid reached those in the hardest-to-access locations, while international NGOs and UN agencies contributed resources, expertise, and coordination to strengthen the response.

"Misto Syly and Angels of Salvation played a crucial role in providing aid to more than 2,600 people in some of the most vulnerable villages in Kherson and Donetsk Oblast," says Viktoriia Batrak, DRC Partnership Officer.

"Their work extended beyond immediate relief, offering a lifeline to families caught in displacement and conflict. Through multipurpose cash assistance, 1,000 individuals received UAH 10,800 (equivalent to 249 EUR) each, helping them meet essential needs with dignity," she adds.

Additionally, more than 550 households received non-food and hygiene kits, ensuring access to basic necessities, while 377 households were provided with emergency repair materials to rebuild homes damaged by shelling in Kherson Oblast.

A locally-led future for humanitarian efforts

The impact of prioritising localisation in Ukraine is already evident. Partner organisations have successfully led emergency interventions, provided legal and psychosocial support, and distributed cash assistance to the most vulnerable populations.

"The shift towards a locally-led response ensures that aid delivery remains uninterrupted even as international actors scale down, paving the way for a more sustainable future for humanitarian efforts in Ukraine," Sofia emphasises.

By strengthening the role of local organisations, humanitarian actors, are not just providing immediate relief but building the foundation for long-term resilience — one community at a time.