“In Ukraine women become everyday more resilient”

Odarka Bordun, Head of Communication at Caritas Ukraine, talks about the attack on Lviv and how women, like her, are coping with family and work as their role in society becomes more crucial everyday. Here is her interview. 

On 6 July, Lviv experienced a devastating attack on civilian infrastructure during the ongoing war in Ukraine. Can you provide more details about what happened?

A missile attack on Lviv caused the death of ten people and injured more than 40 others. Numerous residential and civilian infrastructure buildings were damaged, including ten university dormitories, an orphanage, and several schools. Many people lost their homes and livelihoods, homes that they had furnished and where they had felt safe. Lviv, which is only 60 kilometres from the Polish border, was considered a relatively “safe place”. These recent attacks sparked a great sense of insecurity among the population as they showed that there are no safe places in Ukraine anymore.

How did this attack affect the staff of Caritas Ukraine?

Caritas Ukraine’s national office is located in Lviv, but luckily, all the staff members are safe. However, some of them experienced damage to their apartments. The apartment where I grew up is only a 15 minutes walk from where the rocket hit on Stryjska street. And even this area was also affected by the missile attacks with many windows of residential houses blown up because of the explosions. I must admit that it’s very scary to live in Lviv these days. Despite these challenges, Caritas Ukraine continues its activities ensuring safety measures are followed. Our local staff stand ready to meet the basic needs of those affected by the attack, offering financial assistance and providing support in the restorations of their houses.

Is the situation in Kyiv better?

I was living in Kyiv during winter and it was very tough. The rocket attacks caused regular power cuts, forcing me and millions of citizens to cook on small portable stoves. The absence of electricity also meant that the elevators in our building were out of service and we had to climb all 20 floors on foot. Something I will never forget. And now Kyiv as a capital is also attacked very often.

Are you worried about your own safety?

When I was living in Kyiv with my children, I experienced moments of pure fear when the air raid alarms sounded, especially when my kids were in the kindergarten. I obviously worried about their safety but not just for them. It is incredibly difficult to see human suffering, pain and grief, but I believe that helping others means helping ourselves, at least this is my take on the war so far. Luckily, we are strong enough to continue our struggle for life.

Your staff is composed mostly of women. Can you tell us how they are facing the war?

Women play a crucial role in maintaining stability and resilience in the face of adversity. They take care of their children, elderly or sick parents, and work to provide for their families. When many men are called by the army, a lot of additional responsibilities fall on women’s shoulders. In Caritas, 68% of the staff and 70% of the volunteers are women. They represent an invaluable resource for the organisation and for the society overall.

What is the role of women in Caritas’ operations?

Caritas Ukraine operates through over 40 local organisations nationwide. Since the full-scale invasion, we’ve assisted over 2 million people, offering 4 million services, such as cash grants, food, shelter, renovations, and psychosocial support. Women play a vital role as they address the specific needs of women beneficiaries. They provide safe spaces and offer empathetic support to deal with the uncertainty of the future. Women psychologists are particularly valued for their natural ability to listen, empathise and share the burdens of others.

According to official data, a significant number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) are women. Can you explain their role in the reconstruction efforts and their aspirations for the future?

The UN Women conducted a survey in Ukraine in April 2022 and it revealed that 60% of IDPs in Ukraine are women. These women face the challenges of motherhood and protecting their children and elderly family members. Despite these responsibilities, they actively engage in the reconstruction process, support those in need, raise awareness about the situation in Ukraine internationally, provide shelters to IDPs, relocate businesses from dangerous areas and even start new businesses. Remarkably, during the war, 48% of new small businesses were established by women. I also think that women can lead in the much needed development of civil society organisations in Ukraine.

You recently took the role of Head of Communication at Caritas Ukraine. Can you share your experience working during these challenging times?

Since I joined Caritas Ukraine in 2015, we have been operating in the midst of a war, and shortly after, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The number of beneficiaries increased rapidly, requiring us to expand our work. The situation demanded continuous effort and adaptation. During the first months of the full scale invasion, we worked tirelessly, often without weekends and vacations, and faced the challenge of hiring and training new staff members quickly. It was fairly typical that people who first came to Caritas for assistance later became our volunteers and then employees.

What’s your motivation to continue working despite the strong stress load?

I studied philosophy and theology and have a professional background in journalism; I am passionate about storytelling and believe in its power to inspire change and create connections. I’m always moved by the compassion and the desire of people living through their difficulties to assist others. Witnessing the dedication of my colleagues in the field touches me deeply, and another big part of keeping my motivation high is the collaboration with our partners and friends from the European Caritas network. I feel a strong sense of solidarity and interest in Ukraine. In this, we are not alone.