Photos show some of the makeshift heating solutions being employed today in Ukraine - indoor tents, makeshift cookers and makeshift heaters.
Support for Ukraine four years on
On February 24th 2022, the world woke up to a different world. A world where Ukraine had been invaded for the second time in 8 years. This time, though it was different. It was a country-wide invasion, that not only impacted the whole of Ukraine but the rest of the world.
Four years on, and we are still seeing the devastation that is occurring in the towns and cities of Ukraine. The lack of power leads to blackouts and no heating. Imagine only having power for two hours a day to do everything you need to do – heat the house; prepare a hot meal; wash; clean; charge phones so you can stay in touch with loved ones. A friend of mine told me how it focuses the mind when you only have a very small window of opportunity to do the things you can normally take your time with. Schools are just starting to go back to being in the buildings as there wasn’t enough power or generators to keep the schools warm for the children to attend. You may have seen the images of the icicles formed on the buildings that had been attacked and had to have the fires put out; the water freezing in the -20 conditions.
Even with all the horrific attacks happening daily, life is continuing in Ukraine. People get up in the morning after sleeping in shelters and go to work and school. Meals are prepared on makeshift cookers. They are even having dances in the street around fires, using headlights, to keep warm during the evenings. You have to admire their tenacity to keep going. Having heard so many stories about WW2, it definitely has a ‘Blitz’ spirit about it.
This year’s theme of Refugee Week is ‘Courage’ and I would like to take a moment to reflect on that here. Courage can be seen within all of Ukrainian friends. It takes huge courage to stay in Ukraine and be faced with the daily bombings and all of the power outages; having no heat or power. But it also takes courage to pack your life up into a suitcase and bring your child across several countries’ borders and enter a strange country. A country where the rules and language are so different; where you don’t know what sort of reception you are going to receive; knowing that your child is going to have to attend a school and learn in a completely different language. It was also very courageous of all of our hosts to throw open their doors and welcome strangers into their homes. From courage comes resilience but also hope and love.
This time last year I did an interview on BBC Hereford and Worcester about the 3rd anniversary of the war. In it I said I didn’t want to be marking another year. An emotion I echo here again. But as long as the war goes on, I will stand with my courageous Ukrainian friends and help in any way that I can. That might be me asking for more hosts, which we sadly still need; it might be holding events to allow the wonderful Ukrainian cultures be remembered and shared; it might be being part of a group making trench candles so that those serving can have a little light, warmth and know they are not forgotten.
As for my quilt of love, hope and friendship I mentioned in my previous blog, it’s still on the side gathering dust. But I know I will finish it soon as I know this war has to come to an end.
Finally, I would like to share with you some thoughts about all of this from a dear Ukrainian friend of mine. I think it says it all.
The Reality
February is not just another month for Ukrainians. It is the month when life changed.
This February marks four years since Russia started the full-scale war against Ukraine. What many thought would be short became a long and painful reality.
For Ukrainians, February is not about dates.
It is about the first explosions.
The sound of air raid sirens at night.
Missiles and drones in the sky.
Right now, Ukrainian people are living through winter without electricity, without heating, sometimes without water, in freezing temperatures. This is not a choice anyone would want. But it has become normal for many families.
You often hear people say: “We can live without light, water, and heat — but we do not want to live under Russian occupation.”
This is not about being brave. It is about dignity. This war is not only about land. It is about freedom, about the right to choose your future, and to live without fear.
February changed Ukraine.
It also changed the world.
And Ukrainians are still standing — not only for themselves, but for the values many of us share. We stand with them.
If you have any questions about the work we do as the Support for Ukraine Team, we would love to chat to you or any groups that you belong to. Please email me or give me a call on 07563382756.
– ENDS –