Balakliia

Balakliia is a city in Kharkiv, Eastern Ukraine and currently around 30 miles away from the frontline. The city and surrounding areas were some of the worst hit by the invasion in the early months of the war and as a result it quickly fell into Russian control.

The war has been devastating for this region but Russian occupation made living unbearable for those left behind. Balakliia was liberated in September 2022 after 6 months of occupation. Despite the relief and joy of being liberated, the people of Balakliia continue to face immense challenges simply to survive each day. The enemy left behind a trail of destruction on an ‘apocalyptic’ scale and inflicted unspeakable acts of horror and violence on remaining residents leaving thousands of spiritually, emotionally and physically broken and traumatised people. Sickness and disease is a growing problem exacerbated by months of living in damp, dark basements in freezing conditions and with poor sanitation, nutrition, lack of sunlight and limited access to medicines. 

For The One was able to partner with a local organisation on the ground, SEM (Shidno Evropejska Misija) run by dear friends of ours. Zsolt and his team of local Ukrainian and Hungarian volunteers are reaching some of the most desperate communities with food, medicines, generators, blankets, clothes and many other essential items. Financial support for this latest trip came from multiple sources across a number of different countries and groups, all covering different aspects of the trip. This is the beauty of people coming together for a common goal and serving alongside each other. The team were able to reach 3 towns/cities in the Kharkiv region including several smaller villages in the surrounding area. 

For The One was specifically able to fund the large order of medications and first aid items that had been requested by local leaders on the ground and provide the funds needed to cover the cost of fuel, food and accommodation. The medicines and supplements requested and purchased included analgesics (painkillers), cold and virus mediations, antipyretics for fever, antihistamines, drugs for a number of acute and chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, sedatives, and a range of vitamins to supplement poor nutritional intake. First aid items such as bandages and iodine solution were vital for dressing wounds and preventing infection. To date, 40 individuals have been given up to 2 weeks worth of medications. 

In Izyum, Andryivka and Balakliia, volunteers from the local church have opened their doors to remaining residents and established community hubs where people could go to warm up, find food, receive essential supplies (where available), to find friendship, support, and love. Generators and gas heaters were provided to these centres by the volunteers to enable the churches to continue serving the local people for as long as they are needed.