Deputy Head of the Donetsk Regional State Administration Ihor Boiko paid a working visit to the “I am Mariupol” support centers for internally displaced persons, which continue operating in various regions of Ukraine and remain an important source of support for residents of Donetsk region forced to leave their homes because of the war.
Today, these support centers are not only humanitarian spaces for Donetsk residents, but also true points of stability where people can find assistance, support, understanding, and an opportunity to move forward. In times of major challenges, such hubs have become symbols of unity, humanity, and solidarity among Ukrainians.
The network of “I am Mariupol” centers, created by the Mariupol community, includes 21 support centers across 19 regions of Ukraine. Every day, around 70,000 residents of Donetsk region receive assistance there. The centers provide humanitarian, medical, legal, psychological, and social support, help with documentation, employment, consultations on government programs, and organize cultural, educational, and children’s activities.
During the working trip, Ihor Boiko visited “I am Mariupol” support centers in Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, and Chernivtsi, where he familiarized himself with the work of the humanitarian spaces, spoke with staff and internally displaced persons, and discussed the key needs of people as well as prospects for the further development of the support network.
In Vinnytsia, the support center has been operating since May 2022 and currently assists more than 3,200 displaced persons. During the first four months of 2026 alone, the center distributed more than 2,500 food packages, over 2,700 non-food items, and more than 2,100 medical products. Considerable attention is also paid to cultural events, children’s leisure activities, and psychological and legal support.
In Khmelnytskyi, the support center has been assisting more than 2,200 displaced persons since June 2022. This year, the center has actively provided social, medical, psychological, and administrative support, while also implementing numerous cultural initiatives for children and families.
In Chernivtsi, the support center has been operating since October 2022 and currently serves more than 1,600 displaced persons. Humanitarian assistance continues there, along with preparations for relocation to a new modern facility, which will allow the expansion of services and improvement of conditions for visitors.
Special attention during the visit was given to the implementation of the “Beside You” project, under which mobile teams from the support centers travel monthly to remote settlements where displaced persons can receive humanitarian assistance, legal aid, and social consultations without the need to travel to regional centers.
Such initiatives demonstrate that even far from home, residents of Donetsk region are not left alone with their problems, while support, mutual assistance, and care remain the key pillars of the resilience of Ukrainian society.