In June 2023, the picturesque town of Chortkiv in the Ternopil region became the first shelter of “Caritas Ukraine” for many Ukrainians who, with the start of the full-scale war, lost their loved ones, homes, and belongings. In the places they most likely will never be able to return to, they left behind the graves of their parents, flowers beneath their windows, and memories of a once peaceful and happy life.
Their stories are impossible to read without tears, but we will share them with you. These people are in desperate need of our support and help. They have lost almost everything — but together, we can help restore their faith in the future.
The Story of Ms. Liuba from the City of Lyman, Donetsk Region
When the full scale war began, Ms. Liuba could never have imagined she would lose everything: her home, her peace, and eventually her dearest loved ones. She lived with her ailing husband in the city of Lyman, Donetsk region. Their life was quiet and modest, filled with care for one another. The full scale war changed their lives forever.
From the very first days of the full-scale invasion, Lyman came under constant shelling. When an explosion damaged their apartment during one of the attacks, it became clear that it was no longer safe to stay in the city — and their home was no longer livable. By that time, there were no more volunteers or neighbors left in the city — everyone who could had already fled. Days passed, and Ms. Liuba could only hope for a miracle. And a miracle came in the form of people: when she made a desperate phone call, a police unit arrived and evacuated the couple to an evangelical community in another town. Three days later, they were offered a small temporary house in the village of Probizhna, in the Ternopil region.
But sorrow struck again: two months after evacuation, Liuba’s husband passed away. Alone in a house without heating and without the familiar shoulder to lean on, she was left to fend for herself. Once more, kind-hearted people came to the rescue: volunteers brought her to a shelter for the elderly. That is how Ms. Liuba found herself in Chortkiv.
It seemed like a ray of happiness had finally arrived — Ms. Liuba’s son came to visit. But a mother’s heart rejoiced too soon: despite being almost blind, her son was mobilized. “How can someone who can barely see the world be sent to the front line?” — Ms. Liuba was in despair. Endless days of waiting followed. Now she waits for news from the front.
For almost two years now, Ms. Liuba has been living in the Caritas Chortkiv shelter. Among women who, like her, have lost their loved ones and homes, she found a new family. They support one another and knit warm socks for soldiers together. Every loop, every thread echoes with the pain of loss — and at the same time, with love and the hope that things will get better.
“This is home now,” says Ms. Liuba. “I don’t need anything else but peace and quiet.”
The “Shelters” initiative, which provides temporary housing for elderly people, is part of the Health Care Program of Caritas Ukraine.
Its residents are mostly seniors — one of the most vulnerable populations during wartime.
Shelters began operating in 2023 across six Caritas Ukraine organizations: Ivano-Frankivsk, Kolomyia, Boryslav, Chortkiv, Ternopil, and Odesa.
To ensure that these people continue to have a roof over their heads and access to warmth and food, Caritas Ukraine is launching a fundraising campaign under the motto: “Show your love and support for Grandma Liuba from Lyman by becoming a caring grandchild”. Because what could be more sincere than the love of grandchildren for their grandparents? Unfortunately, donor funds are running low, as are allocations from local budgets. The only hope now lies in the generous donations of compassionate people.
What elderly residents currently receive in the shelters:
- Accommodation and Living Conditions
- Safe, dignified, and adapted shelter in line with
- Sphere standards
- Individual or shared rooms equipped with furniture, bedding, and hygiene supplies
- Access to sanitary facilities, kitchen, and laundry services
- Medical Services
- Daily health monitoring (blood pressure, temperature, oxygen saturation)
- Accompaniment to family doctors and coordination of medical care
- Access to essential medications and basic medical supplies
- Support in obtaining medical documents, disability status, and prescriptions
- Social Services
- Assistance with pensions, subsidies, and social benefits
- Referrals to legal aid and public services
- Development and implementation of individual support plans
- Case management: rights protection, referrals, and follow-up support
- Home Care and Daily Support
- Assistance with hygiene, cleaning, and laundry
- Help with meal preparation or provision of ready meals
- Mobility support and personal assistance
- Psychosocial Support
- Individual counselling sessions with psychologists
- Group therapy sessions, self-help training, and emotional support
- Art therapy and activities to reduce anxiety, loneliness, and stress Trauma recovery and resilience building work
- Cultural and Recreational Activities
- Art therapy, board games, and film screenings
- Thematic group meetings, spiritual gatherings, excursions
- Celebration of birthdays, religious and national holidays “Beauty days,” concerts, creative workshops, hobby clubs
- Feedback and Accountability Mechanisms
- Suggestion and complaint boxes, hotline number, and online feedback form
- Direct contact with shelter managers, social workers, and staff
Our goal is to raise 2,000,000 UAH for 6 shelters by May 31, 2025.
The Caritas Ukraine network team will do everything possible — and even more — to ensure each resident finds peace and quiet in their new home. Every contribution, no matter how small, is a ray of hope for those who have lost almost everything, yet refuse to give up and still seek faith in the future.
- How you can help:
- Contribute to the fundraiser on our website
- Share the campaign with your friends on social media
- Offer support from your business, parish, or community
DETAILS FOR WIRE TRANSFERS
in USD
| Intermediary: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, New York , USA SWIFT: IRVTUS3N Name Caritas Ukraine Beneficiary’s bank: JSC KREDOBANK Lviv, Ukraine SWIFT:WUCBUA2X Beneficiary: Acc UA 793253650000002600801913626 Purpose of payment: CHARITABLE DONATION FOR SHELTERS FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE |
| Intermediary: RAIFFEISEN BANK INTERNATIONAL AG, VIENNA, AUSTRIA SWIFT: RZBAATWW Name Caritas Ukraine Beneficiary’s bank: JSC KREDOBANK Lviv, Ukraine SWIFT:WUCBUA2X Beneficiary: Acc UA 793253650000002600801913626 Purpose of payment: CHARITABLE DONATION FOR SHELTERS FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE |
in EUR
| Intermediary: KBC BANK NV,Brussels , Belgium SWIFT:KREDBEBB Name Caritas Ukraine Beneficiary’s bank: JSC KREDOBANK Lviv, Ukraine SWIFT:WUCBUA2X Beneficiary: Acc UA 793253650000002600801913626 Purpose of payment: CHARITABLE DONATION FOR SHELTERS FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE |
or
| Intermediary: COMMERZBANK AG, Frankfurt, Germany SWIFT:СOBADEFF Name Caritas Ukraine Beneficiary’s bank: JSC KREDOBANK Lviv, Ukraine SWIFT:WUCBUA2X Beneficiary: Acc UA 793253650000002600801913626 Purpose of payment: CHARITABLE DONATION FOR SHELTERS FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE |
| Intermediary: UNICREDIT SPA, Milano, Italy SWIFT: UNCRITMM Name Caritas Ukraine Beneficiary’s: JSC KREDOBANK, Lviv, Ukraine SWIFT:WUCBUA2X Beneficiary: UA 793253650000002600801913626 Purpose of payment: CHARITABLE DONATION FOR SHELTERS FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE |
| Intermediary: CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE, Toronto, Canada SWIFT: CIBCCATT Name Caritas Ukraine Beneficiary’s bank: JSC KREDOBANK, Lviv, Ukraine SWIFT:WUCBUA2X Beneficiary: Acc UA 793253650000002600801913626 Purpose of payment: CHARITABLE DONATION FOR SHELTERS FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE |
| Intermediary: LLOYDS BANK TSB PLC, London, Great Britain SWIFT: LOYDGB2L Name Caritas Ukraine Beneficiary’s bank: JSC KREDOBANK Lviv, Ukraine SWIFT:WUCBUA2X Beneficiary: Acc UA 473253650000000260010007580 Purpose of payment: CHARITABLE DONATION FOR SHELTERS FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE |
| Intermediary: POWSZECHNA KASA OSZCZEDNOSCI BANK POLSKI SA, WARSZAWA, POLAND SWIFT: BPKOPLPW Name Caritas Ukraine Beneficiary’s bank: JSC KREDOBANK, Lviv, Ukraine SWIFT:WUCBUA2X Beneficiary: Acc UA733253650000002600902913626 Purpose of payment: CHARITABLE DONATION FOR SHELTERS FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE |
A home is more than just walls. It is care, love, and respect for the dignity of those around us.
Any excess funds collected will be directed to support Caritas Ukraine’s Health Care Program. By making a donation, you consent to the funds being non-refundable and potentially reallocated or used for other projects.