Ukraine Flood Response: Over 10,000 meals distributed and counting

In the 12 days since we launched our appeal to support people devastated by the Kherson Dam flooding, over 10,000 hot meals have already been prepared and continue to be delivered to those affected by the disaster.

By working with known, trusted and local partners Ukrainian Education Platform (UEP) and Myrne Nebo, REACT has been able to support the supply and distribution of nutritious meals to thousands displaced by the floods.

Natalya is just one of thousands of people who have been directly supported by your donations:

“That morning a neighbour came to me and informed me that the dam had been blown up and all the water was coming to us. All I could do was to find my pets, Stepan and Ryzyk, and pull them up one by one with a ladder to the attic.

About a day later, I began to feel weak and terribly thirsty - there was already a lot of water in the house, so it was very cold and damp - I lost all hope of salvation. 

I was very surprised by the appearance of young men in a boat, who swam and checked every house to save those who needed it. They saved not only me, but also my pets - they gave us clean drinking water and fed me with a hot lunch - which I could only dream about in the last few days. They took us to a safe area, gave temporary shelter and fed me with hot lunches every day. Now I am waiting for my son, who will soon take us to his home in the Vinnytsia region, because I have nowhere to go back to.”

REACT's involvement in Ukraine dates back to March 2022 when a small team was deployed to assess the needs of the increasing flow of refugees. Building strong relationships with partners on the ground enables REACT to use the expertise and local knowledge of other organisations to ensure that the hardest to reach and most vulnerable get the help they need quickly.

Artem is the Coordinator of National Partnerships for UEP and met members of the REACT team during a visit in May 2023:

“I began working for UEP a year ago, after evacuating my family to Lviv. During that time I have managed partnerships and worked with organisations including REACT to provide power and water purification systems, as well as hot food to many towns and villages where people are suffering. This hot food distribution has been a lifeline to so many.”

We need your donations to continue to support people just like Natalya, who are still experiencing tremendous hardship as a result of the Kherson Dam flood.