Not Alone in a New City: Social Support for IDPs from East SOS
Seventy-two-year-old Valentyna Oleksiivna lived in Dobropillia, Donetsk region. She had spent her entire life there – her home, familiar streets, and the quiet rhythm of a place she knew by heart. But the war forced her to leave everything behind and flee into the unknown in search of safety.
In September 2025, Valentyna was evacuated to a transit center in Lozova, where she received initial assistance for evacuees. Although a friend had offered her accommodation in Kharkiv, she felt confused and uncertain about what to do next. At the center, Anna Yavtushenko, Case Manager at East SOS, noticed Valentyna’s distress and approached her to offer support.
“We simply sat down and talked. It was clear that Valentyna felt lost. I explained how she could get to Kharkiv, we exchanged phone numbers, and agreed to meet again in the city – at Zatyshno Space. A few weeks later, we saw each other again,” Anna recalls.
At the Zatyshno Space psychosocial support center run by East SOS in Kharkiv, Anna and Valentyna calmly identified the key challenges she faced in adapting to life in a new city. In a supportive atmosphere – without pressure or haste – they developed a clear and individualized support plan.
They began with the essentials: restoring documents, opening a bank account, obtaining IDP registration, applying for Winter Support assistance, and arranging the pension payment process. Next came healthcare. Valentyna signed a declaration with a family doctor, underwent medical examinations and treatment, and received the medications she needed free of charge.
As her immediate needs were addressed, Anna introduced her to practical aspects of daily life – explaining how to manage utility payments and referring her to local organizations that provide humanitarian aid upon request. Once the basic issues were resolved, a more complex challenge emerged: adapting to the rhythm of a large city.
“Kharkiv felt completely new and overwhelming for Valentyna. I stayed in constant contact with her. Sometimes it was enough to figure out together over the phone which bus to take to the hospital or how not to get lost along the way. Step by step, we also learned how to use her new smartphone – installing the necessary apps and practicing how to use them. It helped make everyday life a little easier and far less frightening,” Anna shared.
Within three months, Valentyna Oleksiivna has gradually settled into her new life in Kharkiv. She now independently navigates everyday, medical, and social matters, confidently uses her smartphone, and knows where and how to seek help when needed. Importantly, she continues to feel supported – and that support gives her strength and confidence.
For Valentyna, feeling part of the community became a crucial step toward adapting to a big city. She began attending events at Kharkiv’s Zatyshno Space, meeting other internally displaced persons and local residents, and slowly building new social connections.
“After the evacuation, I was left completely alone, without my family nearby. The support of East SOS helped me recover and move forward. I know that I can come or call and be heard and supported. Special thanks to my Case Manager Ania and the Zatyshno Space team – they make me feel at home, and that means so much,” Valentyna shares.
Today, her life is gradually filling with everyday routines, communication, and a renewed sense of belonging.
This story shows that after forced displacement, people need more than practical assistance. They need a space where they can once again feel part of a community. The East SOS team works to ensure that no one is left alone with the challenges caused by russian aggression. If you or your loved ones need support, the Foundation’s team is here for you.
You can receive psychosocial and legal assistance from East SOS in Kharkiv at Zatyshno Space:
11 Hohol Street, Kharkiv
+38 (097) 384 97 35
Telegram channel of the center
Services are provided within the framework of the project “Protection and Necessary Psychosocial Support for War-Affected Frontline Residents” with the financial support of the German Federal Foreign Office.
East SOS supported evacuees in transit centers and places of temporary residence.
