In Kharkiv, one of Ukraine’s cities most affected by the war, AMU is committed to providing humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable: the elderly, internally displaced persons, the chronically ill, and families affected by the conflict. The goal is to ensure immediate medical care and offer counseling and psychosocial support in a context marked by loss and instability, in collaboration with Caritas Spes Ukraine .
Many stories reach us from Kharkiv, each one depicting a life path that the war has inevitably and dramatically upended. Among these is the story of Oleksandra, a woman who was able to be cared for thanks to the support efforts undertaken by the Ukraine Emergency project.
Oleksandra, the war in Ukraine forces her to abandon her home
Oleksandra has experienced firsthand the concrete and indispensable impact of this healthcare. Born in the city of Kupyansk (Kharkiv region) in 1949, she lived here her entire life, until three years ago. On September 27, 2022, the war forced her and her husband to abandon their home. It was a difficult time: the evacuation took place with the help of local volunteers, who organized special transport for the elderly and those with limited mobility . The journey was tense and dangerous, amid constant artillery explosions.
Oleksandra says she took with her only the bare essentials: documents, a few personal items, and the medicines needed for some chronic health problems: a “journey to nowhere,” she describes, full of fear and a painful sense of the unknown.
Readjusting to a new city
The couple arrived in Kharkiv, where they settled into a small rented apartment. There they tried to recover, but the feeling of loss and separation from home was still very strong. Then came news that definitively dashed any hope of a return: on May 15, 2025, acquaintances informed Oleksandra that a direct artillery hit had hit her apartment building in Kupyansk, completely burning it.
This news shattered Oleksandra. She felt as if she had lost a part of her soul: “My home wasn’t just walls. My entire history was there, the memories of loved ones, my childhood, and the best years of my life,” she said through tears.
A phone call to the AMU-supported medical center in Ukraine
This psychological trauma worsened her insomnia, anxiety, and general weakness, also contributing to the worsening of her chronic illnesses. After moving to Kharkiv, Oleksandra’s health deteriorated: she began suffering from severe heart pain, sleep disturbances, increasing anxiety, and constant fatigue. Furthermore, leg pain began to limit her movement, increasing her feelings of helplessness.
Oleksandra learned about the medical assistance that Caritas Spes Ukraine and AMU provide to the displaced population of Kharkiv from friends who had already received assistance and expressed satisfaction with the professional approach and care they received. On their advice, she called the medical center and booked an appointment.
Care and listening
During the appointment, the doctor thoroughly examined Oleksandra, measured her blood pressure, pulse, and oxygen saturation, listened to her heart and lungs with a stethoscope, and examined her venous system and joints. The specialist didn’t just perform a physical exam, but also offered emotional support : he explained how stress affects overall well-being, offering advice on nutrition, rest, and physical activity.
The woman was also offered psychological support , including participation in group meetings for internally displaced persons and individual sessions to overcome fear and regain emotional balance.