Surviving on Rainwater: The Story of a Couple Evacuated from Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
Kateryna and Yurii collected and drank rainwater. This is how they spent the final months in their hometown of Pokrovske, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
The couple had lived here all their lives – among the steppe, ravines and riverbanks. They raised two children, worked hard, built their own home and household. For years, they had built the life in which they hoped to grow old: surrounded by familiar things and everyday routines.
But in March 2026, russian forces began shelling Pokrovske with increasing intensity. With each passing day, life in the village became more difficult as attacks destroyed infrastructure and deprived residents of basic necessities. After the village lost its water supply, Kateryna and Yurii had to collect rainwater simply to survive. Eventually, both suffered poisoning, making it clear that they could no longer stay. Following the advice of the military, they agreed to evacuate.
Because of the critical security situation, the couple could only be evacuated by the “White Angels” humanitarian police unit, using an armoured vehicle. During the journey, an explosion occurred nearby. After that, Kateryna continued to flinch at sudden loud noises for a long time.
At the transit center in Pavlohrad, the family was met by Olena Bosa, Protection Officer with East SOS. She immediately noticed that Kateryna was having difficulty walking on her own due to her deteriorating health. The team provided her with a walker, helping regain some of the independence. This marked the beginning of the family’s personalized support journey.
The Protection Officer then helped the couple apply for one-time multipurpose cash assistance from UNHCR – UAH 12,300 per person. Since Kateryna and Yurii had been unable to take their personal belongings with them during the emergency evacuation, Olena also helped them apply for additional cash assistance from the NGO Girls to purchase clothing and other essentials.
After leaving the transit center, the family was temporarily accommodated at the NGO Center for Social Adaptation of People with Disabilities Ocean of Kindness in Dnipro. Meanwhile, the Protection Officer helped them restore their bank accounts so they could receive financial assistance, while the evacuation team began looking for permanent accommodation for them.
Today, Kateryna and Yurii are gradually recovering and preparing to move into permanent accommodation.
“For the first time in so long, we were able to sleep peacefully. We started eating properly again because, finally, we felt safe. Thank you to everyone who took care of us. We had already started to think that we were left alone with our grief. But it turned out that there are people who care. Thanks to your specialists and partners, we now have not just hope, but also a plan to return to a normal life after everything we have lost,” Kateryna said.
In June 2026, with the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), East SOS provided people affected by the war with 532 social and 262 psychological consultations and helped 46 people find a safe place to live. In addition, specialists in Dnipro held two psychosocial relief sessions and four support-group meetings for displaced women and women affected by the war.
Psychosocial support was provided as part of the project “Protection and Psychosocial Services for People with Limited Mobility and Persons with Disabilities Affected by the War”, implemented with the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).
Read how the East SOS team supported Serhii, a man evacuated from Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast.
