Ukraine
Upholding the safety and wellbeing of people and communities
The average life expectancy for men in Ukraine is just 66 years, and many of those who reach old age live in poverty. Despite recent investment in community safety nets, the country continues to be affected by its long-standing lack of social benefits.
Pensions are so low that many resort to hard labour on the street. And while the agricultural sector suffers a crisis due to blockades of ports and borders, vast plains of fertile land remain unused due to contamination by landmines or occupation.
Ukraine gained independence in 1991, yet politics have remained unstable for decades. Following the large-scale conflict in Ukraine in 2022, the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees leaving the country has increased drastically.
Population: 37.9 million · Poverty rate: 35.5% · Our reach in 2024: 167,471 people
Acute humanitarian crisis
The humanitarian situation in Ukraine has drastically worsened in February 2026 due to relentless attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure. As a result, millions are left without electricity, light, or heating during the harshest and coldest winter in years.
The lack of power and warmth, combined with the extreme cold, has created life-threatening conditions, particularly for older people, people with disabilities, and families with young children. Local Dorcas staff are working under immense pressure to assist as many people as possible, including in areas close to the frontline.
Overview
The aim of our Ukraine programme is to ensure the improved wellbeing and resilience of vulnerable groups, such as IDPs, orphans and the country’s large older population. Dorcas has been actively responding to the Ukrainian crisis since 2014. We provide emergency assistance, psychosocial support and sustainable livelihoods opportunities to isolated communities in the East of Ukraine and beyond.
Population: 37.9 million people
Poverty: 35.5% live below the poverty line
Our reach: Since 2020, 167,471 people have taken part in our programmes
What we do in Ukraine
Dorcas supports vulnerable communities in Ukraine through six programme areas, ranging from family protection and elderly care to humanitarian assistance and mental health support.
We try to break the cycle of poverty, particularly among marginalised groups, and reduce the risk of abuse, by offering life skills and financial literacy training to teenagers and youth. Parents and caregivers are not exempt: we organise group forums on topics such as stress reduction, positive parenting and financial management where adults can speak freely and identify solutions.
We set up community networks and safe spaces for older people to ensure they are included in the delivery of vital services and psychosocial support. Our activities see youth, churches and local authorities lead peer-to-peer support sessions and home-based care activities, especially targeted at elderly women and people with disabilities. Food parcels and hygiene kits are also provided.
Our entrepreneurial skills training and business start-up support programmes help IDPs and affected people develop careers in the beauty, IT, culinary, textile and agricultural industries. Single mothers, members of large families, people supporting a relative with a disability and other marginalised groups change their lives. They become independent and gain a sustainable livelihood by learning a new profession.
We deliver vital humanitarian assistance to IDPs and vulnerable families living close to the contact line. This includes the provision of cash for food and heating so that basic household needs are met. We also provide essential non-food items kits for people with a disability and people who lost their homes.
We conduct light repairs for households to ensure improved living conditions. This intervention addresses the immediate needs of affected families and promotes a sense of security in the Zaporizhzhia region.
We provide psychological first aid, case management, group-based psychosocial support for adults and children, and individual counselling to people in rural communities to address risks to their physical safety and well-being.
Partnership with UHF
Meet our Country Director
Ferenc Katko — Country Director Ukraine
“In Ukraine, Dorcas has two localisation strategies at work to ensure our work has lasting impact. Firstly, our long history of collaboration with local churches means we are constantly able to invest in diaconal work that best serves the people. We also work closely with local authorities and other multi-stakeholder partners in a bid to bring systems change to the local level and empower communities to address problems of marginalisation and social exclusion. As you can see, both rest on the power of partnership. This is the only way that we can safeguard our effectiveness.”
Our partners
Dorcas works together with local partners and international organisations in Ukraine.
- New Hope Center
- New Beginnings
- Reformed Church of Szernye
- Nevo
- Samuel Foundation
- Enjoying Life
- City Aid Center
- Nehemiah
- Pro Agricultura Carpatika
- Reformed Church of Tiszaujfalu
- UNOCHA
- Help Age
- Criscon 24
- Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Dutch Relief Alliance
- World Vision International
- Samenwerkende Hulp Organisaties
- Giro 555
- Christelijk Noodhulp Cluster (CNC)
- Stichting Kom over en Help
- Forth Global
- ZOA
Contact Dorcas Ukraine
Country office
Tserkovna street 5, Surte 89432, Ukraine, Transcarpathia
Regional office
PO Box 1049, 69010 Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine
Downloads
Learn more about Dorcas in Ukraine through our publications.