In the turmoil experienced in Ukraine, countless lives have been forced to abandon their familiar homes, facing an unknown future. In this seemingly endless ordeal, Yana Liubymova, the Chairman of the Luhansk Oblast Council for Internally Displaced People, has become a beacon of light in the hearts of these individuals, illuminating not only her own path but also guiding other displaced persons forward.
The interview team of 《The Icons》 aims to show the world through her story that, no matter what hardships the world may endure, there are always individuals willing to light the beacon of hope for others with their lives.
The Committee for Displaced Persons Lights a Beacon of Hope for Refugees
Currently, with the support of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a Committee for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP Committee) has been established in Luhansk Oblast, serving as a liaison bridge between displaced persons and the authorities. In November 2023, the UNHCR hosted the first forum of the All Displaced Persons Committee in Kyiv, where Yana Liubymova shared her story with forum participants, calling for more people to stand up and help the helpless refugees:
“ Ukraine is now home to millions of displaced persons facing difficult situations. We must not only focus on the current difficulties but more importantly, work together to find and advocate for long-term solutions to these problems, and courageously move forward!”
From Displacement to Assisting Refugees
Yana’s story began in 2014 when the conflict in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the eastern part of the country forced her to leave her hometown for the first time. Faced with the threat of war and the uncertainty of the future, she exhibited a resilience and courage not found in most people. Confronted with the pain of her homeland being ravaged by war, Yana did not bow to adversity. Instead, she used her experiences and stories to inspire others facing similar difficulties.
“ We started working to assist refugees because we wanted to help people. Having gone through displacement myself, when war came and affected every single person in Ukraine, I knew exactly what needed to be done!” Yana said with deep emotion.
Experiencing Home Destruction Time and Again
“ The person I was before 2014 no longer exists; they took everything from me,” Yana reflects on the difficult years she has endured, “ Had I known that within 10 years I would lose my home twice, I would have tried to provide even more help to those who are helpless. Whenever I felt like I couldn’t go on, I thought of the innocent sufferers. I chose to take responsibility for them, and I couldn’t stop!”
In February 2022, she was forced to flee for her life once again. Just hours before Starobilsk was occupied by Russia, Yana and her husband, along with their dog, packed some documents and left the city that had become their second home. After several days on the road, they crossed the country and found temporary refuge in the Frankivsk region of western Ukraine.
Assisting Refugees in Finding New Employment and Starting a New Life
Facing the future, Yana’s vision extends far beyond short-term relief efforts. She is dedicated to creating a long-term solution aimed at helping displaced persons not just to survive, but to have the opportunity to rebuild their lives, whether in new communities or possibly returning to their homes someday.
She emphasizes, “ Rebuilding is not just about starting over; the most important thing is to restore hope for all displaced persons.” This includes advocating for the creation of basic services and job opportunities, as well as establishing a support system to help people deal with the traumas and losses left by war.
Yana Liubymova: Everyone Can Still Hold Hope for “ Home ”
Through her efforts, Yana Liubymova has become a beacon of hope for the homeless in Ukraine. She firmly believes that even in adversity, people can support each other and find the bright spots in life together. Through her actions and unwavering beliefs, Yana shows us that under future peace and stability, everyone can rediscover their sense of identity and belonging to “home”. Together with partners, she co-founded “The Effective Community,” a civil society organization aimed at helping displaced persons integrate into new communities—one of the main priorities for authorities and humanitarian agencies.
“ After the war broke out, I had a very strong sense of déjà vu—everyone needs food, a place to sleep, a place to wash, a safe haven.” Yana reminisces while speaking to a reporter: “ The war has touched every corner of Ukraine, no family is unaffected. Even if homes are destroyed, we can still strive to fill everyone with hope for home!”
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