Hello there, Olga…
Olga Canaly is responsible for part of IM’s partnerships in Ukraine, where people are living amid an ongoing war. She maintains close contact with our partners who support women, children, and displaced people – and she sees every day how civil society makes a difference. Olga lives and works in Chișinău, Moldova.
What does your work with IM’s partner organisations in Ukraine involve?
– I work with organisations both in Ukraine and Moldova. The work is fundamentally similar, but also very different. If I had to describe it in one word, I would say the work in Ukraine is fragile. I have to always keep in mind that I am working with people living in a war. They face daily threats to their own lives and those of their loved ones. Many carry constant grief. That is why I must approach them with compassion and respect. Everything else comes second.
What challenge is most urgent for our partners right now?
– The biggest challenge is survival, in every sense – physically, financially, organisationally, and nationally. Security comes first. It is absolutely essential. But another important issue is organisational survival. Now that the war has lasted four years, many organisations report fewer funding calls and stricter conditions. This leaves them feeling discouraged and less able to act and contribute as much as they would like.
Can you give an example of how IM’s support makes a difference in people’s lives in Ukraine?
– A good example is the organisation D.O.M.48.24. They assist people with everything from legal and psychological advice to finding housing and connecting with authorities. They have also launched a programme where women receive both training and start-up capital to open small businesses. Thanks to this support, people in extremely vulnerable situations have regained hope and agency, and can in turn help others.
D.O.M.48.24 also runs a day centre for women affected by domestic violence. I am convinced that their work has saved lives.
What do you think people in Sweden should understand better about the situation in Ukraine today?
– Living in Ukraine right now means living under constant threat. People see deaths every day, infrastructure collapsing, and live with fear and economic hardship. Many are also disappointed by political decisions and the reduction in international support. This takes a huge toll on people’s mental and physical health.
It is especially hard for those who, despite all this, choose to engage for change. They already carry a heavy burden and take on others’ burdens as well. I sometimes see how this breaks them. That is why it is so important that people in Sweden do not become “war-weary” and turn away. On the contrary – right now, your support is needed more than ever.
Photo: Private
By: Malin Kihlström