Six months of war in Ukraine. PAH spokesperson: there's still plenty to do

Wednesday (August 24) marked exactly half a year since the beginning of Russia's attack on Ukraine. Throughout these six months, humanitarian organisations have been bringing help to people in need living in this war-torn country.

Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH) spokesperson, Helena Krajewska, told TVN24 on Thursday about the challenges that lay ahead Ukrainian refugees and humanitarian organisations.

"Access to food, hygiene products is still very much needed, but access to shelter is becoming an increasingly serious problem. Winter's coming soon, soon the temperature will drop, and not only there will be rain, but also snow," Krajewska said.

"A lot of houses have been heavily damaged, some homes ceased to exist. People live in group shelters. In some regions there will be problems with heating and electricity. These will certainly be huge challenges for humanitarian organisations working in Ukraine," she stressed.

PAH spokesperson also said that the most dangerous war zones had been already evacuated as it would have been impossible to heat the houses there.

"As regards places where it's a bit calmer - where houses and flats have been damaged - we will be do repairs, be it a cracked wall, a hole in the roof, or lack of windows. We will also be handing out special shelter kits, including things that can help to stay warm: blankets, heaters, window tarps. Obviously financial support is crucial, as it allows to buy coal, fuel, warm duvets, blankets, heaters. There are plenty of ways to prepare for winter," Krajewska listed.

According to the latest data, as many as 15 million Ukrainians may require psychological care. "It's mainly due to stress, trauma and depression, which affects even the youngest persons," PAH spokesperson said.

Krajewska stressed that "this kind of work should be done after the shelling ceases, however there may be no choice in this case".

"It's possible it will be this kind of a prolonged war, like in 2013. We, as PAH - despite the ongoing conflict in the east of Ukraine - were carrying out our work in the field of psychological support both in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. Unfortunately, I think it will be necessary to do the same work again, despite the ongoing armed conflict," she said.

"As a society, we've got exhausted by helping, but it's no surprise as we've been helping in an extreme situation for half a year and helping in a very intensive way," Krajewska said.

She also said that "many people have been bending over backwards for half a year to somehow find balance between work, volunteering, travelling to the border, helping wherever they could, spending part of their budgets to help, and opened their homes".

"But it's even more important that people who want to help get professional and use their skills, for instance psychologists can offer psychological consultations, laywers can provide legal assistance, one can also volunteer at their local, neighbourhood or district support centres," PAH spokesperson said.

"It's certain that various associations are looking for people to help in a variety of fields. There's still plenty of tasks to complete."