Behind the Scenes of Local-Led Civilian Protection Efforts in Ukraine
In recognition of World Humanitarian Day, we hosted an Instagram LIVE Session with our friend and partner Alina Shemediuk! Alina is based in Kherson, Ukraine and is one of the founders and co-director for the local humanitarian network, Spravzhni, and working with Bridge of Unity as the Admin Director.
At Spravzhni, Alina's work focuses on evacuation, light restoration, and supporting vulnerable people in frontline areas. She's also a project writer, developing proposals and ideas to bring more support to our community. In addition, Alina works as an Account Manager at a global freight audit company, which helps her balance both humanitarian and professional responsibilities. And beyond all of that, she's also a young mom to her daughter Solomiya, who remains her biggest source of strength and inspiration.
Mahmoud (Moody) Shabeeb, our Global Media Advisor at NP, sat down for an interview with Alina. Their conversation pulls back the curtain regarding what it looks like to be a humanitarian on the ground during a war.
Can you tell us a bit about where you live and what you love about your community?
I live in Kherson, in the south of Ukraine. It’s a city that has gone through a lot because of the war, but at the same time, it’s a place full of strength and resilience. What I love about my community is the way people support each other — even in the most difficult moments. Neighbors help neighbors, volunteers step in where help is needed, and there’s always a sense that no one is left alone. Despite the challenges, Kherson is a city of very strong hearts, and I am proud to be part of it.
How has Kherson been impacted by the full-scale invasion? How is it different from before? Are there ways it is the same?
Daily life in Kherson has changed completely. Before the war, people had normal routines — children went to school, families spent time by the river, and there were many cultural events and businesses open. Now, life is shaped by uncertainty. People live with constant shelling.
Life in Kherson is very different from other cities in Ukraine. When shelling starts, there are no sirens to warn people — it just begins suddenly. And unlike in larger cities, there are no underground shelters, no metro stations, and very few safe basements or parking garages. People often have nowhere to hide, so daily life carries a constant risk.
Still, people adapt — they learn to move quickly, to check on neighbors, and to support each other in small but powerful ways. This situation is extremely difficult, but it also shows how strong and united the people of Kherson are.
But at the same time, some things remain the same, like the spirit of the people. There is still kindness, courage, and a very strong sense of community. People support each other in ways that maybe were not so visible before. So while the city looks very different now, the heart of Kherson — its people — is still the same, and maybe even stronger.
As much as you are comfortable sharing, tell us about your family, how have you all been personally impacted?
My hometown is still under occupation, so this has deeply affected my family. Right now, the whole family is in a safe place. I became a mother in November 2024 — my little daughter’s name is Solomiya — and with this new responsibility, I am now based in Kyiv. Together with my husband Oleg, who is also the co-founder of our organization, we manage much of the work from a distance. It is not always easy, but family gives me strength and reminds me why this work is so important — so that our children can grow up in safety and peace.
Can you explain how you collaborate with Nonviolent Peaceforce?
Our collaboration with Nonviolent Peaceforce has been very important for us. They help by strengthening our capacity — for example, supporting our team with training, resources, and also funding specific projects. With their support, we’ve been able to provide psychological assistance, carry out evacuations, and even cover basic needs like fuel and stipends for our volunteers.
What I value most is that they don’t just bring resources — they also stand with us, side by side, in a very difficult environment. This partnership makes us stronger and helps us reach more people in need.
Can you tell us about the work that you do at Bridge of Unity?
At Bridge of Unity, I’m responsible for making sure the organization runs smoothly — developing administrative strategies, supporting our team, and ensuring compliance with laws and policies. I also work on HR functions like recruitment and onboarding, and help to create a safe and effective environment for our staff.
Since the project only started in August, I haven’t done too much yet — but my focus now is on building strong foundations, so that the team has everything they need to succeed. Step by step, we are creating the systems and environment that will help us deliver real impact.
What is your day to day like in Kherson doing this work?
I actually had to leave Kherson for personal reasons, but I can share what my daily life was like when I was there. The last time I was in the city was in August 2024, when I was seven months pregnant. My days started by putting on a bulletproof vest and helmet to get to the office safely.
Every morning, our team of liquidators would gather for a short briefing before heading out to repair and secure damaged homes, while I stayed in the office to work on project proposals and organize the documentation. We had very strict windows of time when it was possible to move around the city — to get to the office or back home — because later in the day shelling would usually start. If you were caught at the office or somewhere else, you simply had to wait until it was safer.
That was the reality of our routine — always balancing between doing the work that was needed and staying safe.
How are evacuations handled in Kherson? How are people alerted to evacuate? How much time do you have to respond? And what role do you play in the evacuations?
Evacuations in Kherson are very challenging because people often don’t have much time to react. Unlike in larger cities, there are no sirens when shelling begins — it happens suddenly, so people usually decide to evacuate only after repeated attacks or when their homes become unsafe.
Our foundation receives requests directly from people, sometimes through local chats or from the local administration. When a call comes in, the team quickly organizes transportation — usually for the elderly, people with disabilities, or families with children — to move them to safer places or hospitals.
Previously, I was directly involved in coordinating these evacuations. Now, since I had to relocate, I’ve assigned this responsibility to my colleague within the organization, who manages it on the ground. My role is to support the team with resources, strategy, and reporting, while they carry out this very critical work in the field.
How do you work to keep people safe who may not want to leave? We know that sometimes people are reluctant to evacuate, which can be hard for people not in the war to understand.
Yes, many people don’t want to leave, even when it’s dangerous. Home is not just walls — it’s their memories, their whole life, and for some, it simply feels impossible to walk away. We don’t force anyone, but we try to keep them safe: by helping with food, water, medical needs, or securing their houses. Often, just staying connected and showing care makes people feel supported, and sometimes later they decide to evacuate when they are ready. Our role is to respect their choice, but also to be there with support when the time comes.
Can you explain the impact of the drones to people in your community?
Yes, our team has been working with video drone detectors. Drones are one of the biggest threats for people in Kherson, because they can appear very suddenly and target residential areas. The sound of drones is something people here unfortunately recognize all too well, and it creates constant fear and stress.
How do you use frequency analyzers to keep people safe?
We use frequency analyzers to help us detect signals that indicate drone activity. This allows our team to react faster — to warn communities, to change routes during evacuations, or to avoid certain areas when the risk is high. It doesn’t make the threat disappear, but it gives us more time and information to keep people safer. In a city where every minute matters, these tools are really saving lives.
What are people asking for the most, what are the biggest needs?
The biggest needs of civilians in Kherson are still very basic. People ask most often for safety, stable electricity and water, medicine, and help to repair their damaged homes. Many elderly people and people with disabilities also need transportation, because they cannot move on their own.
At the same time, people ask for something less material but just as important — psychological support and the feeling that they are not forgotten. Knowing that someone cares gives strength to keep going every day.
Do you work together with other organizations?
We work very closely with other organizations, because no one can respond to all the needs alone. In Kherson, we coordinate with local authorities, community groups, and other NGOs and INGOs. Sometimes we collect requests from people and pass them on to partners who can cover things like food, clothing, or medicine.
At the same time, we also join forces on evacuations, reconstruction, and psychological support. This cooperation means that resources are used more effectively, and people receive faster and more complete help.
There is no day off, right? Are you always on call? Are there enough volunteers to go around?
We usually take Saturdays and Sundays off, but the phone never really stops. Calls are always answered to plan the week, and if something urgent happens — like an elderly woman with disabilities left without windows — we respond immediately, even on weekends. Our team is small but very dedicated, and that’s why we manage. They are ready to step in whenever needed, and that’s what makes our work possible.
Are you ever able to turn the work off? How do you sustain yourself in this work?
It’s hard to fully turn the work off, because the needs don’t stop. But I’ve learned that to keep going, I need balance. Besides my humanitarian work, I also have my main job, and I make time for sport — especially swimming — which helps me clear my mind and recharge.
And of course, spending time with my little daughter Solomiya gives me the greatest strength. What sustains me most is knowing that our work really matters and that even small actions can change lives. That’s what gives me the energy to continue.