How does the Humanitarian Aid Department work?
How the department is organised
Children who have lost one or both parents because of the war often face pressure that pushes them into adulthood too early. They are living through grief, while their families may also be dealing with financial difficulties, forced relocation, a lack of household essentials and the constant question of what tomorrow will bring.
In such difficult circumstances, humanitarian aid provides support and stability. Families know they are not alone, because a whole team is there to stand beside them in moments of crisis and uncertainty. We process their requests, plan purchases, prepare aid packages, keep records, coordinate the warehouse, and oversee dispatch and delivery.
Since the humanitarian aid programme began, the Fund’s team has delivered 714 tonnes of humanitarian aid to families.
As of 1 May 2026, this includes:
19,701 food parcels;
10,265 pairs of shoes;
13,088 stationery sets;
13,405 packages with hygiene products and nappies;
31,009 birthday gifts.
These figures show the scale of the work, but behind each number is a very real and important change. For example, warm winter boots for a family where the guardian is on the minimum wage can help children stay healthy and continue attending school. One pair of shoes can affect a child’s health, dignity and protection from bullying. Things we often do not even notice can become vital support for someone else.
In such difficult circumstances, humanitarian aid provides support and stability. Families know they are not alone, because a whole team is there to stand beside them in moments of crisis and uncertainty. We process their requests, plan purchases, prepare aid packages, keep records, coordinate the warehouse, and oversee dispatch and delivery.
New Year gifts and thousands of requests processed
Every year, during the New Year holiday season, our partners prepare gifts for the children under the Fund’s care. For the team, this is an extremely busy but deeply meaningful period. We try to do for the children what their parents would have done. And, of course, holidays can be especially painful, because many of these children used to receive gifts from their parents.
Over the past three years, as part of the New Year initiative, the Fund has sent gifts to 32,683 children:
in 2023, 6,794 children;
in 2024, 10,712 children;
in 2025, 15,177 children.
For the team, this is one of the most intense periods of the year. The warehouse works like a large logistics hub: thousands of requests, parcels, waybills, clarifications and deliveries. At moments like this, speed, accuracy and resilience matter.
Among thousands of stories, some stay with the team for a long time. Yulia recalls one family where four boys wrote down very modest wishes. But between the lines, the team saw another dream: a family trip to the Carpathian Mountains. Once, this could have been a trip with their father. After his death, that dream seemed out of reach. Thanks to a donor who responded to the story, the family had the chance to visit the place they had dreamed of. Moments like this remind the team that scale is measured not only in the number of parcels, but also in the trust the Fund must live up to.
Behind the scenes at the warehouse
A warehouse manager needs to know where every item is located. A logistics specialist needs to calculate routes and delivery times. Coordinators need to check requests, stock levels, priorities and addresses. The programme manager needs to see the whole system, anticipate risks and make decisions when the volume of work increases.
This is why administrative and operational costs should not be seen as something secondary. Without the team that manages the processes, aid does not move. You can have partners, resources and ambitious ideas, but without the people who organise everything down to the final delivery, support will not reach the child.
A warehouse with values
The Fund’s warehouse has an eco-corner where the team sorts packaging, paper and other related materials to use resources responsibly and reduce waste. Nearby, there is a special space with photos and feedback from children who have already received support. It reminds the team who all this daily work is for.
You can support this area of the Fund’s work today, so that every parcel reaches a child at the right moment.