East SOS Team Supports Zaporizhzhia Residents for the Second Time This Week Following Enemy Attacks

The enemy keeps terrorizing Zaporizhzhia. On the evening of January 29, Russian forces attacked the Oblast center. The shelling caused damage to private houses and industrial facilities. Another drone strike hit a residential neighbourhood that had already been targeted just two days earlier.

The blast wave damaged five high-rise buildings and two private homes, shattering windows, destroying balconies, ruining furniture and household appliances.

This morning, a lawyer and a psychologist from East SOSarrived at the site of the shelling in order to provide essential support and assistance.

“After such attacks, people most often seek help with filing property damage reports via the “Diia”state online service, as well as registering property in the State Register of Real Estate Rights. In addition to the aid from municipal services, state institutions, and charities, we saw relatives and friends from other buildings coming to bring hot food and beverages to the survivors. One woman we spoke with was moved to tears by that support — and we cried along with her,” said lawyer Hanna Dondyk.

The team provided 10 psychological and 11 legal consultations. Raisa Tolochko, a foundation psychologist, noted that she offered ongoing support and further counseling to several individuals at the Zatyshno Space, a psychosocial and legal support space operated by East SOS.

“We received requests for psychological support for children almost immediately. I shared our contact details with several families and explained how they could reach us. We also met residents whose homes had been hit two days earlier – the balconies that had been temporarily covered with OSB panels were damaged once again. In situations like these, psychological support and emotional stabilization techniques help people cope with constant anxiety, while group communication encourages them to unite even more in supporting one another,” the specialist added.

If you or your relatives have been affected by the shelling in Zaporizhzhia, please contact the “Zatyshno Space” for psychosocial and legal support provided by East SOS for free:

• Zaporizhzhia, 3 Pivdennoukrainska St. (opposite the Mimmo restaurant, “Vulytsia Myru” bus stop)
• +38 (097) 021 41 53 (Tue–Sat, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM)

East SOS lawyers are also available for consultations at: 0 800 332 614 (Mon–Sat, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM)

Assistance was provided under the project “Protection and Essential Psychosocial Support for War-Affected Residents in Frontline Areas,” with financial support from the German Federal Foreign Office.

Read more about how our team supported the residents of Zaporizhzhia after the recent enemy shelling by clicking the link.