The Road to the Unknown: a photo report from a temporary centre for evacuated residents of Donetsk Oblast
Published: Sep 6, 2024 Reading time: 1 minute
Fear, pain, confusion. It’s hard to find the words to describe the state of those forced to leave their homes due to the Russian advance. Residents of Pokrovsk, Myrnohrad, Selydove, and other towns and villages are packing their most valuable belongings and heading to safer areas. This photo report comes from a humanitarian transit centre in Mezhova, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, where evacuees are brought. Ahead of them lies uncertainty. They don’t know where to go next or how to live after losing two crucial pillars of their lives – their homes and their sense of security. The displaced have no savings to start life anew comfortably. Supported by the Czech people, we continue to provide financial assistance to the people in Mezhova to help them with the burdens of displacement.
For the past few weeks, people from the bomb-stricken Donetsk Oblast have been arriving daily in Mezhova. Many are children, older people, and those with disabilities.
People arrive with only the essentials—often packed hurriedly.
Evacuees bring not only their documents and valuables but also their pets.
Our colleague Olena Budagovksa speaks with a family who has fled from shelling.
A boy colours in a stress-relief colouring book. Both children and adults affected by the trauma of war require psychological support.
A mobile phone charging station. People stay in constant contact with relatives who haven’t yet evacuated or are waiting for them in other safe places.
Our team is registering people for financial assistance from the Czech people. 390 people have been registered so far.
We continue to work, understanding the immense challenges faced by those forced to leave their homes. As of September 4, 208 more individuals affected by Russia’s aggression registered for financial assistance in Pavlohrad transit centre.
