First person: At the front lines of Ukraine, humanitarian is all at risk to bring hope

“Sometimes it feels like we swim against currents that never slow down,” said Ms. Tiutiunnyk, an assistant external relations officer who works in Ukraine for the UN refugee body (UNHCR). Ms.TIUTINYK is himself an abandoned person from Luhanansk, forced to escape after the start of hostility.

“I am not part of the humanitarian community,” he recalled, talked about the early days of the invasion, in front World Humanity Day.

“I was not with UNHCR at that time. I am a civil servant, but I think the events that occurred in my life and the life of the whole country was a trigger for me: I switched to the humanitarian sector, and I joined UNHCR.”

With the ongoing evacuation in the frontline of Ukraine, Ms. Tiutiunnyk and his colleagues are now helping to support refugees and people who have just been displaced, as well as those who remain in the frontlines.

Since August 1 last year, more than 192,000 people have left the Donetsk region in East Ukraine, either alone or with the support of the authorities and volunteers-and UNHCR and their NGO partners gave them assistance that was needed.

‘I’m where I should be’

“When I met the people after an attack or on a location where they currently live, it reminds me why I did this job,” said Ms. Tiutiunnyk, the new one returned from the field mission. “When they open themselves, when they share stories, what they have gone through, it moved me very deeply. And at that time, I really felt like I was in a place that should be.”

Many people are displaced under extreme pressure; Their lives are filled with fear and anxiety. Some run away with a hurry without passports and other important documents, while others really need money to buy food and medicine.

UNHCR emergency responses include psychological support, legal assistance, and cash assistance. “We also provide support for several collective sites where people can stay for a while until they find another place,” explained Ms. Tiutiunnyk.

With the current war in the fourth year and 3.7 million people displaced internally, humanitarian needs continue to increase. “The war took place, the attack continued, the needs continued to grow,” he said.

‘This should not be new to normal’

Providing assistance at the front lines often means working in dangerous conditions, including drone and air strikes: When he talks with the UN News, sirens of air strikes exploded in the background.

“Certainly stressful. For many people, now is their daily lives. They remain in the frontlines even though there is a daily shooting and attack. Why? Because this is their home.”

If I can bring them hope, it fulfills my life with several meanings

In their work, Ms. Tiutiunnyk and his colleagues talk every day with people who are very traumatized and anxious -many of them ask for humanitarian workers not to leave them.

“I’m the same. I also evacuate, and if I can bring them that hope, that small assistance, contributes to at least to stabilize their situation, it meets my life with several meanings.

“Some people say they are accustomed to warnings of air strikes and situations in general. But you cannot get used to this, right? This is not normal. It should not be new to normal,” he added.

When asked what made him continue, Ms. Tiutiunnyk said he got inspiration from his colleagues – people he often spent more than his own family – and from his managers, who, as he said, “Work all the time.”

“When I see that they can continue, why can’t I continue? You need to think, are we pursuing a common goal? Yes, we. So, we are in the right place.”