Restoring Hope and Dignity in Times of Crisis
Every year on August 19, the world observes World Humanitarian Day — a day dedicated to honoring humanitarian workers and recognizing the millions of people affected by conflict, natural disasters, and other crises. It is an opportunity to remember that behind every crisis are people with their own stories, families with their own hopes, and communities searching for safety, healing, and a brighter future.
World Humanitarian Day was established by the United Nations to honor humanitarian workers who lost their lives while serving others. It reminds us that humanitarian work is about more than providing assistance. It is about standing alongside people during the most difficult moments of their lives, restoring dignity, and reminding them that they are not forgotten.
Wars change people’s lives in ways that are difficult to put into words. It forces families to flee their homes, separates families, disrupts children’s education, and creates deep uncertainty about the future. Behind every statistic is a human story: parents doing everything they can to protect their children, older adults rebuilding their lives after devastating loss, and children learning once again how to feel safe and experience joy.
I have worked in over 22 countries mostly in conflict-affected countries and I have been working in Ukraine for four years now. A war in Europe at this scale was never expected. The social-cultural setup was never prepared for such a conflict, neither the humanitarian community was prepared or designed to respond to contexts like Ukraine. The war is still a shock to many and many live with the trauma. Millions of people have been displaced from their homes across the Ukraine and spreading worldwide as refugees or staying with host families. Yet missiles continue raining over their heads every day. Despite the daily challenges, people continue to come together to support those who need help the most.
In times of war, humanitarian support is about much more than meeting basic needs. It is a reminder of hope — a message that people are seen, valued, and not alone.
World Relief works in partnership with Ukrainian churches and local Christian organizations to support war-affected families by implementing humanitarian initiatives. They are aimed not only at meeting lifesaving needs, but also restoring dignity, strengthening communities, and helping over 350,000 people rediscover hope even in the most difficult circumstances.
World Relief’s work includes providing humanitarian life-saving assistance such as distribution of winterization kits to supporting vulnerable families, implementation of mental health and psychosocial support, child protection, economic empowerment for vulnerable women and widows of fallen soldiers. We help to empower the Church to provide support for their communities and displaced visitors.
But humanitarian work is about more than responding to a crisis. It is about building partnerships based on trust. It is about listening to people’s stories, walking alongside them through difficult seasons, and creating places where individuals and families can find support, connection, and hope for the future.
In Kharkiv, World Relief and its local partner, Fight for Freedom, support children traumatized by war. Kharkiv is one of the frontline Oblasts (regions) and partially occupied by the Russian Federation. Despite daily shelling and the ongoing threats of war, we continue to run a Child Friendly Space(s), a safe environment where children can learn, connect with others, develop their talents, and simply be children. The safe space is much more than a place for activities. It is a nurturing environment where children receive care, encouragement, and support as they recover from the stress and trauma caused by war. Through creative activities, educational programs, and time spent with their peers, children can experience moments of joy, belonging, and stability.
For many children in Kharkiv, daily life is shaped by air raid alerts, explosions, and constant uncertainty. That is why safe spaces like Fight for Freedom’s are so important. They help children regain a sense of normalcy, provide emotional support, and remind them that their childhood — and their future — matter.
Every child’s smile, every new friendship, and every joyful moment reflects the resilience of Ukrainian families. Even in the midst of war, communities continue to support one another and create places where hope can grow. Since 2022, World Relief has supported over 30,000 children through safe space activities across Ukraine. This also includes vulnerable groups such as the Roma families, disabled children and orphans.
World Humanitarian Day is not only a day to recognize humanitarian workers. It is also a day to remember the people they serve and the communities that demonstrate courage and resilience every single day. In Ukraine, the church volunteers are particularly very active, especially providing aid assistance, chaplainry and counselling services in security and hard to reach war frontline areas.
Humanitarian work happens every day through compassion, partnership, and service. Whether by offering practical support, praying, volunteering, or standing alongside those experiencing crisis, each act can become part of a larger story of hope.
In Ukraine, World Relief continues to stand with communities facing extraordinary challenges — not because the work is easy, but because every person deserves safety, dignity, and the opportunity to rebuild their life.
With more funding, World Relief will continue to support Internally Displaced People with Humanitarian assistance, empower the local church, and build economic capacity.
Jimmy Tuhaise: Country Director – World Relief Ukraine