Ukrainian People resisting together: War as an Unexpected Unifying Factor

Sometimes it happens that due to unforeseen and uncontrollable circumstances people may face problems that radically change their habitual way of life. This may be a natural disaster, war, persecution, and so on. Unfortunately, many Ukrainians have faced a similar condition due to the war situation in the country.

A general characteristic of all the refugees to whom I have spoken and the many friends and colleagues who arrived from Temporarily occupied and uncontrolled territories (the ofcial way of referring to war zones in Ukraine) is that none of them initially planned to leave their homes for such a long period of time. One of them actually planned to move just for a week to a nearby city, while others thought it was safer to stay with relatives in the western Ukrainian territory. But everyone was sure of something. In a week or two everything would be fine and it would be possible to return home. Therefore, people took only the most necessary things with them.

But it turned out that the military conflict has dragged on and has been going on for more than four years now! People had to decide between two difcult options: to stay, despite the danger, in their homes, or to leave the towns or cities of their forefathers. It is understandable that many decided to give up everything and, for the sake of their safety, start a new life in a new city.

Historically, the populations of Ukraine in the west and the east of the country have had important diferences. First of all, the language. In the territories of the eastern regions, people mostly speak Russian, and in the western territories, Ukrainian. Orthodoxy prevails in Eastern and Central Ukraine, whereas Catholicism prevails in the western side of the country. Furthermore, certain historical issues that divide Ukrainians still remain in our times.

Having talked with refugees of diferent ages and status, I have identified two related difculties that these people face afer leaving their homes: employment and complications to pay rent. Unfortunately, the human factor plays in both aspects. It happens that some employers, because of certain prejudices, do not want to hire the newcomers from Eastern Ukraine. Regarding the rent, the fact that the landlords are not sure of the solvency of the funds of potential renters may lead to refusal.

Nonetheless, I am pleased to state that the above mentioned cases are more the exception than the rule, and that despite the complexity of the political and, as a result, the economic situation in the country, everything that has happened unexpectedly became a social unifying factor. I know of many cases when people from diferent parts of Ukraine ofered free housing for those who could not afford to rent a place right afer they lef their homes. Many of our fellow citizens send money to diferent funds to support those in need. They ofer food, as well as clothes, dishes and everything that might be needed at a new place. All Ukrainians are worried about what is happening all over the country and sincerely empathize with people in such a difcult situation. Afer all, tomorrow any of us could be in their place.

Anna is a social activist, who lives and works in Kyiv. She worked in the international youth organization aiesec and participated for several times in wscf-e events. She is interested in issues of peace, equality and conflict resolution.