Support During Evacuation: The Inspiring Story of a Specialist from the Responsible Citizens Team

The situation in the frontline communities of eastern Ukraine is evolving rapidly. The number of people needing assistance after evacuations is steadily growing, demanding swift responses. Yulia, an employee of the NGO ‘Responsible Citizens,’ has also been internally displaced. She was forced to leave her hometown of Myrnograd when the official evacuation of families was announced.

After relocating, Yulia now lives and works in Tsarychanka, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, a city that has taken in the largest number of people displaced from Pokrovsk, Myrnograd, and neighboring communities currently experiencing active hostilities.

‘The last few months have been incredibly demanding,’ says Yulia, a specialist with the NGO’s mobile team. ‘The number of people is increasing, but what unites us all is that we’re going through this together. We’ve all become internally displaced persons and, more than anyone else, understand the challenges of rebuilding your life in a new place.’

Julia credits her education for helping her in this role. She holds a degree in social work from the National Pedagogical University of Drahomanov and a second degree in administrative management from Sloviansk State Pedagogical University.

Before the full-scale invasion, Yulia worked in local government and was involved in various social projects. She is particularly proud of initiatives that improved the lives of her community, such as building sports fields and modernizing school classrooms.

‘Realizing that I can be a support to those in need has been my primary motivation,’ Yulia shares. ‘That’s why I joined the NGO ‘Responsible Citizens.’ For me, it’s an opportunity to be in the right place at the right time.’

From her experience, she notes that each day in the mobile team brings new challenges, often complex. But even in the most difficult circumstances, people find the strength to move forward: ‘When you help others, you see how good deeds inspire others. In those moments, we seek light together. The most important thing is for people to feel they are not alone.’

Julia believes that continuous learning and the opportunities provided by the NGO ‘Responsible Citizens’ to enhance her professional skills have been her lifeline. ‘Every new experience in the mobile team shows how important it is to improve. I’m happy to be involved in developing new approaches and initiatives. For me, it’s a way to make aid more effective and give people a chance for a better future.’