As the conflict in Ukraine continues to unfold, the humanitarian crisis deepens, with millions affected by the ongoing violence.
According to the Kyiv School of Economics, since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022, over 222,000 private homes have been damaged. With full repairs requiring substantial time and funding from larger donors, grassroots initiatives have emerged to provide immediate relief for those whose lives have been irrevocably altered by the war.
Among these organizations is Insulate Ukraine, which is spearheading efforts to help residents make their homes livable again. With the war in its 28th month, estimates indicate that around 10 million windows across the country have been destroyed. One such individual directly impacted by this crisis is Tetiana Beibyko, a 68-year-old pensioner living in Mykolaivka, Donetsk, who recently had her shattered windows replaced with makeshift polyethylene sheets provided by Insulate Ukraine. “There’s no draught, no blast of air,” Beibyko stated, reflecting on how the temporary solution has improved her living conditions. Prior to this intervention, her living space was exposed to the elements, with shattered glass creating an unsafe environment.
Similarly, Iryna Ivanenko, another resident of Beibyko’s building, recalls the desperate attempts to seal the broken windows with whatever materials she could find. The building, now draped in a haphazard mix of boards and plastic, highlights the urgent need for reliable residential repairs—a need that Insulate Ukraine is striving to meet, albeit temporarily. “All the windows were smashed when we were hit,” Ivanenko said, speaking to the severity of the damage inflicted by the shelling.
The innovative approach adopted by Insulate Ukraine has been crucial given the logistical challenges of sourcing imported glass, which results in long repair times. Harry Blakiston Houston, the organization’s founder, has sought to address these challenges by developing a faster and more cost-effective solution using PVC pipes and available polyethylene sheets. “These are a temporary solution for a long-term problem,” he acknowledged, emphasizing the scale of the issue. Despite not being bulletproof, these makeshift windows offer a measure of safety against blast waves, significantly reducing the risk of injury from flying glass shards, as noted by Stanislav Stupak, a representative from Insulate Ukraine.
The efforts of organizations like Insulate Ukraine are vital as they provide immediate support to families grappling with the aftermath of the conflict. While the road to full recovery will be long and fraught with challenges, these small non-profits are making a meaningful impact in the lives of those who remain. As the intensity of the war continues to affect civilians, initiatives that offer tangible assistance become essential lifelines for communities striving to reclaim a sense of normalcy in the face of devastation.
Source: Reuters with additional information added by GlassBalkan
