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by Nattasuda A. Kaplin, Head of Communications, Plan International Ukraine Humanitarian Response
Air-raid sirens clash with the sound of laughter in playgrounds. Bomb shelters stand in stark contrast to ballet performances in opera houses, lit by generators. Cafés and restaurants serve good food under candlelight when there’s no electricity or water. How do Ukrainians remain so resilient amid these contrasting moments? This question lingered in my mind throughout my 11-month mission with Plan International’s delegation in Eastern Europe.
Since 2014, communities in eastern Ukraine have been embroiled in conflict. But the world sat up and took notice on February 24, 2022, when the war escalated dramatically. There were surreal moments—seeing mothers take their little ones back to playgrounds just hours after we’d huddled in bomb shelters, missiles soaring overhead.
As it stands, over 17 million people in Ukraine need humanitarian assistance, making up roughly 40% of the country’s population. The war has triggered the largest refugee wave in Europe since World War II, forcing millions to flee their homes. Essential infrastructure, like schools and hospitals, are continually compromised by bombings. Utility services are erratic, with cities sometimes going without power for over 12 hours a day for repairs.
By July 2023, a staggering 3,582 educational facilities have suffered from bombings and shellings. An additional 341 have been completely destroyed. During our humanitarian mission, we visited several such schools to aid in their reconstruction. We once toured a school whose building had been repurposed as an ammunition depot by Russian forces. All that remained were scorched walls, shattered glass, and charred chairs. This tragic situation underscores that the safety of students and teachers should be paramount; schools should never be targets or serve military ends. Upholding the Safe Schools Declaration is more critical than ever.
Since March 2022—just weeks after the war’s escalation—Plan International has been collaborating with local partners to support Ukrainian refugees in neighboring countries like Poland, Romania, and Moldova. Within Ukraine, we’ve been active since August 2022. To date, we’ve reached over 300,000 people, offering critical support, child protection, mental health services, and educational continuity.
I met Polina, 10, and Nadia, 11, at an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) center in west-central Ukraine. They hail from Mykolaiv, close to annexed Crimea. They recalled a night of horror when an explosion shattered their bedroom window. Frightened and disoriented, they hid in a corridor all night. Eventually, their family drove through the night to find safety in Vinnytsia, close to the Moldovan border.
Research indicates that war impacts girls, young women, and diverse youth in complex and often overlooked ways. Displaced women and girls, both within and beyond Ukraine’s borders, face elevated risks of gender-based violence, including physical and sexual assault, harassment, and trafficking. Plan International is among many organizations striving to offer essential services to survivors.
We understand that even when this war ends, recovery will take years. That’s why we’re already focusing on long-term solutions. We’ve consulted with over 200 young people impacted by the war. From a 12-year-old in occupied Mariupol to a 17-year-old displaced girl from Kherson, they’ve expressed a deep desire to actively participate in rebuilding their country.
It’s been 18 months since the war escalated. Amid the destruction and the poignant, hopeful stories I’ve gathered, what astounds me most is the unyielding resilience of the Ukrainian people. One minute, my colleagues and I are in a bomb shelter; the next, we’re watching a world-class ballet as youngsters skate outside the opera house. Ukrainians have told me, “We are going to keep going despite what’s happening.” And I believe them.