The completed project, which ended in February 2026, focused on conflict-affected areas of Kherson, Mykolaiv and Sumy oblasts. Over the course of the project, ZOA supported 1,080 shelter repairs and assisted 872 families through emergency livelihoods activities, reflecting the scale of humanitarian needs across both the north and south of the country.
ZOA scales up critical shelter and livelihoods support in Ukraine
For families living near the frontline and in border communities across Ukraine, safe shelter and the means to sustain themselves remain urgent priorities. Through a project funded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), ZOA supported vulnerable households in northern and southern Ukraine with emergency shelter assistance and livelihoods support, helping families repair damaged homes, improve poor-quality housing and restore basic food production.
27 May 2026
Home repairs and food security
As the primary donor of this work, ECHO enabled ZOA to deliver timely, practical and dignified support to some of the most vulnerable households. Through a combination of cash assistance and technical guidance, families were able to repair roofs, windows, walls and other critical parts of their homes, while rural households also received support to restart small-scale agricultural activities and strengthen their food security.
The project specifically prioritised households with overlapping vulnerabilities, including older people, persons with disabilities, female-headed households, low-income families, internally displaced people and households directly affected by the war. In Sumy oblast, additional focus was placed on displaced households living in inadequate housing near the border, where winter conditions and insecurity create severe risks.
Needs are high
Although the ECHO-funded project has now come to an end, humanitarian needs across Ukraine remain immense. Continued attacks, displacement and damage to infrastructure mean that many families still require urgent support as the war continues to rage on.
Continued support
While this particular project has been completed, ZOA remains committed to supporting conflict-affected communities with integrated, locally grounded programming. Building on the experience and lessons learned through this ECHO-funded response, ZOA is continuing the same strategic programming across Ukraine. This includes support for shelter repair, winterisation and livelihoods recovery, with the aim of helping vulnerable households remain in their communities, reduce reliance on negative coping strategies, and recover with greater resilience and dignity.
