Like many families rescued from occupation and deportation, the Filipchenko family had almost forgotten what comfort and safety felt like when they arrived in Kyiv.

A Russian drone strike took the life of the mother. The father survived, but lost his legs. The family came to Save Ukraine’s Hope and Healing Center in Hatne carrying exhaustion, fear, and the weight of everything they had endured.

At the center, they finally felt safe. They received psychological support, humanitarian aid, and legal assistance. Step by step, they began to recover and adapt to a new reality.

But just as life became more stable, a new challenge came. This winter is one of the coldest in Ukraine in the past decade. At the same time, massive attacks on infrastructure caused long power outages, leaving homes without electricity, heating, and sometimes water, especially in the capital.

Through the project “Comprehensive Psychological and Social Assistance to Ukrainian Children Returned from Russian Deportation,” implemented by Save Ukraine together with the German Federal Foreign Office, we were able to support the Filipchenko family and many other rescued families during this difficult period.

They received warm clothing, food supplies, drinking water, blankets, sleeping bags, thermoses, and other essential items to endure long blackouts. This winter support helped them live through the cold months with greater stability and dignity.

We are deeply grateful to the German Federal Foreign Office for making this support possible. Together, we are not only helping families survive — we are helping them rebuild their lives.