'We lived 20-25 kilometers from the front line and every day it became more evident that we need to evacuate': the story of Lyudmila Lisnykova

Every day the team of the partner organization 'Volonter-68' listen to many life stories from women and girls who are provided with humanitarian aid and evacuation. The team shared the story of Lyudmila Lisnikova from the city of Druzhkivka, Donetsk region.

'My name is Lyudmila Lisnikova. I was born in 1949', she begins, as if opening an old album with memories. Her story begins in the city of Druzhkivka, where she lived with her husband. This town in the Donetsk region became their home until the world was turned upside down. Lyudmila's husband suffered from dementia and every year his health deteriorated, there was a need for constant care. With the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation became unbearable - the bus to their village went only twice a day and Lyudmila was forced to leave her sick husband unattended for 8-9 hours during the day.

Lyudmila says that it was difficult, but it got worse when the war started. A school was destroyed near their home and this was just the beginning. 'Our city was not occupied, but shelling scaried us. First in 2014, and now a full-scale invasion. We lived 20-25 kilometers from the front line and every day it became more evident that we needed to evacuate,' recalls Lyudmyla.

Lyudmyla and her husband decided to go to Kharkiv, where their daughters had lived for many years. The Volonter-68 team helped them get to Krasnokutsk, where they found an old house. They were able to repair it a little, but after 10 months the husband died.

'When he was gone, it was very hard for me to hold on. My strength was leaving me and health problems began to gain momentum,' says Lyudmyla. The team of NGO 'Volonter-68' has repeatedly provided the woman with the necessary help. Subsequently, Lyudmyla decided to stay in the shelter from 'Volunteer-68', where she currently lives. Here she saw how carefully other people were looked after, especially those with dementia or a stroke. She was struck by how nurses treated the sick with special patience and care.

Lyudmila is grateful for the care and support she received in these difficult times. The woman thanks everyone who has helped her feel part of this world again, where despite the pain and loss, there is a place for support and care.

This project is produced by NGO 'Volunteer-68' funded by The United Nations Women’s Peace  and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) with technical  support of UN Women Ukraine. The United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF)  mobilizes critical support for local and grassroots civil  society organizations working on women, peace and  security and humanitarian action. WPHF is a flexible  and rapid financing mechanism supporting quality  interventions designed to enhance the capacity of  women to prevent conflict, respond to crises and  emergencies, and seize key peacebuilding  opportunities.

This publication is produced with funding from the United Nations Women’s Peace  and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), however, the views expressed and content included does not imply  official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.