2025 - Ukraine - Humanitarian assistance - Photo by Mickael Franci for Cordaid-296
Terre des Hommes started a pilot project in Ukraine to help children affected by the war.
'My Friend' is a mental health and psychosocial support initiative combining cognitive behavioural and emotion-focused therapy. This programme equips participants with physical and mental strategies for recognising emotions, understanding stress levels, and effectively reducing stress.
The programme includes 12 group sessions tailored for children aged 5 to 7 and their caregivers. In Ukraine, over half of the participants are internally displaced persons from frontline areas affected by military operations.
Through their participation, children and caregivers develop emotional awareness and learn several coping strategies to manage distress.
Storytelling is a central feature in the programme, with Lando the hare as the main character guiding the narrative. In each new session, Lando encounters a new obstacle he must overcome. The children also create puppets through which they express their emotions.
The pilot project, funded by Giro555, was highly successful. Many caregivers noted their difficulty discussing emotions and recognised that the programme benefits themselves and their children.
---
The large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 marked a devastating escalation of the conflict following the 2014 annexation of Crimea and the occupation of parts of Eastern Ukraine. In response to this crisis, Cordaid has supported Ukrainians since 2015, providing crucial humanitarian assistance and fostering resilience through impactful partnerships with local Caritas organisations.
Caritas Ukraine and Caritas Spes swiftly deliver emergency assistance to conflict-affected regions nationwide. By prioritising local leadership, these partnerships empower Ukrainians to determine their needs and implement sustainable solutions.
Key initiatives include:
•Emergency Relief: Supporting displaced people in fragile and vulnerable circumstances in war-affected areas in the east with basic needs.
•Water Rehabilitation: Repairing damaged water systems and installing filtration units in heavily affected areas to ensure access to clean water.
•Healthcare Programmes: Establishing nine medical centres that provide integrated services, including primary healthcare, psychological support, and palliative care. These centres are designed to achieve financial sustainability through government support.
•Livelihood Recovery: Helping displaced people rebuild their lives through business training and start-up grants.
•Palliative Care Expansion: Meeting the rising demand for home and hospice care for displaced elderly and chronically ill, impacted by the ongoing conflict.
By late 2024, over 3.7 million people remained displaced within Ukraine, with 6 million more seeking refuge abroad. The war’s toll on housing, infrastructure, and mental health has created urgent needs. An increasing number of families deal with the loss of family members, mostly husbands, sons and fathers, and demobilised veterans are struggling to reintegrate into society.
Cordaid’s recovery programmes address these challenges by:
•Providing emergency relief to newly displaced individuals, particularly in eastern regions.
•Offering psychosocial support and rehabilitation for civilians affected by the war and for veterans and their families.
•Supporting essential utilities, including water systems, electricity, and winterisation supplies.
As the conflict continues, Cordaid remains committed to a dual emergency relief approach and sustainable recovery that considers new needs.
By strengthening partnerships with the Ukrainian Caritas branches and other local organisations, fostering local leadership, and ensuring financial sustainability, Cordaid aims to build resilience and restore hope for the millions affected by this devastating war.
Through collaboration, innovation, and a focus on evolving community needs, Cordaid is helping to create a path forward for Ukraine—one rooted in dignity, resilience, and hope for a brighter future.
2025 - Ukraine - Humanitarian assistance - Photo by Mickael Franci for Cordaid-296
Terre des Hommes started a pilot project in Ukraine to help children affected by the war.
'My Friend' is a mental health and psychosocial support initiative combining cognitive behavioural and emotion-focused therapy. This programme equips participants with physical and mental strategies for recognising emotions, understanding stress levels, and effectively reducing stress.
The programme includes 12 group sessions tailored for children aged 5 to 7 and their caregivers. In Ukraine, over half of the participants are internally displaced persons from frontline areas affected by military operations.
Through their participation, children and caregivers develop emotional awareness and learn several coping strategies to manage distress.
Storytelling is a central feature in the programme, with Lando the hare as the main character guiding the narrative. In each new session, Lando encounters a new obstacle he must overcome. The children also create puppets through which they express their emotions.
The pilot project, funded by Giro555, was highly successful. Many caregivers noted their difficulty discussing emotions and recognised that the programme benefits themselves and their children.
---
The large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 marked a devastating escalation of the conflict following the 2014 annexation of Crimea and the occupation of parts of Eastern Ukraine. In response to this crisis, Cordaid has supported Ukrainians since 2015, providing crucial humanitarian assistance and fostering resilience through impactful partnerships with local Caritas organisations.
Caritas Ukraine and Caritas Spes swiftly deliver emergency assistance to conflict-affected regions nationwide. By prioritising local leadership, these partnerships empower Ukrainians to determine their needs and implement sustainable solutions.
Key initiatives include:
•Emergency Relief: Supporting displaced people in fragile and vulnerable circumstances in war-affected areas in the east with basic needs.
•Water Rehabilitation: Repairing damaged water systems and installing filtration units in heavily affected areas to ensure access to clean water.
•Healthcare Programmes: Establishing nine medical centres that provide integrated services, including primary healthcare, psychological support, and palliative care. These centres are designed to achieve financial sustainability through government support.
•Livelihood Recovery: Helping displaced people rebuild their lives through business training and start-up grants.
•Palliative Care Expansion: Meeting the rising demand for home and hospice care for displaced elderly and chronically ill, impacted by the ongoing conflict.
By late 2024, over 3.7 million people remained displaced within Ukraine, with 6 million more seeking refuge abroad. The war’s toll on housing, infrastructure, and mental health has created urgent needs. An increasing number of families deal with the loss of family members, mostly husbands, sons and fathers, and demobilised veterans are struggling to reintegrate into society.
Cordaid’s recovery programmes address these challenges by:
•Providing emergency relief to newly displaced individuals, particularly in eastern regions.
•Offering psychosocial support and rehabilitation for civilians affected by the war and for veterans and their families.
•Supporting essential utilities, including water systems, electricity, and winterisation supplies.
As the conflict continues, Cordaid remains committed to a dual emergency relief approach and sustainable recovery that considers new needs.
By strengthening partnerships with the Ukrainian Caritas branches and other local organisations, fostering local leadership, and ensuring financial sustainability, Cordaid aims to build resilience and restore hope for the millions affected by this devastating war.
Through collaboration, innovation, and a focus on evolving community needs, Cordaid is helping to create a path forward for Ukraine—one rooted in dignity, resilience, and hope for a brighter future.