The Ukrainian Refugees Helping Their Homeland: Alex’s Story

Millions of people have fled to safety in neighbouring countries following the conflict in Ukraine. Many have chosen to work with international humanitarian organisations such as RE:ACT to help their fellow citizens. This is Alex’s Story.

Oleksandra (Alex) Hudym-Levkovycyh trained as a doctor but has been working at a senior level in the Ukrainian Pharmaceutical Industry for many years. Following the outbreak of war in Ukraine, her high-flying career has paused – for now – and she and her two adult daughters are living as refugees in Eastern Poland.

She is still in shock at how events have unfolded:

“I just couldn’t believe it when the Russians invaded. I couldn’t even imagine how this could happen in the 21^st Century, particularly after all the horror of World War Two. How can people kill each other?” asked Alex.

Aged 61, her home is now a tiny, rented apartment. She lives there with one of her daughters (the other is now in Belgium), her sister, and her toy poodle dog.

Feeling she had to help those still left in Ukraine, she volunteered to work at the Help Ukraine Centre in Lublin, Poland, where RE:ACT volunteers were supporting with the sorting and packing of mixed aid destined for Ukraine.

“I had to do something to help those back home. I didn’t know what else to do. I start at 10am and finish when I finish. We work here until they tell us to go home and that’s just fine,” says Alex.

She adds: “There is not enough aid coming here. I ask the West not to forget about Ukraine. I see already that the help is less than it was on the first days. Maybe people donate once and maybe they think that is enough, but it still needs to keep coming.”

Working at the warehouse in Lublin, RE:ACT volunteers helped to pack and dispatch over 199 tonnes of mixed aid to people in need in Ukraine; including medical supplies, clothes, food and hygiene products. RE:ACT volunteer Rich McSweeney was on site, working alongside Alex and other Ukrainians:

“It was humbling to volunteer alongside refugees like Alex, whose lives have been overturned, but who are still selflessly trying to support others. They’re the embodiment of what it means to be humanitarian. The RE:ACT team and all the international volunteers were pleased to be able to play a part in sending aid to Ukraine. We hope it made the lives of some Ukrainian people a tiny bit easier.”