The family of Semen Petrovych from Lyman, Donetsk region, has experienced a lot during the war. Like many fellow citizens, they were forced to relocate from their hometown in 2022 due to intense combat and temporary occupation. This was especially difficult because Semen's elderly father, who has a first-degree disability, cannot move on his own and requires constant care. They relocated to the Poltava region. Gradually, they settled in, began to rebuild their lives, took care of the elderly father, who struggled greatly with the forced move, and dreamed of returning to their hometown of Lyman.
Thanks to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Lyman was liberated in the fall of 2022. However, the situation remained very dangerous. But this did not stop Semen. Leaving his family in Poltava, he returned to his hometown. His heart broke as he saw the completely destroyed streets of Lyman. When the car turned into their home alley, it seemed like his heart had stopped. Semen was internally prepared to see the ruins of his home. But fortunately, the house miraculously survived. However, inside, he saw numerous traces of those who had lived in their house while the family sought refuge elsewhere. Semen began a major cleanup, and soon the house looked almost like it used to. This could have been a good ending to the story.
However, unexpectedly, Semen received an energy bill for electricity usage. The bill was for an unaffordable amount for the family, and it was for the period when Semen and his relatives were in Poltava. Semen was in despair, unsure of what to do: should he look for money to pay off the debt? Should he argue? Should he go to court?
Fortunately, during this time, the Luhansk Association of Organizations of People with Disabilities, together with partners SOLIDAR SUISSE and SOLIDAR SUISSE UKRAINE, was implementing the project "Paths to Integration: Humanitarian Aid in Ukraine" in Lyman, as well as in several other communities in Donetsk and Kharkiv regions. Within this project, representatives of vulnerable categories could seek legal consultations. A project lawyer, after hearing Semen's story, thoroughly analyzed the situation and helped him prepare the necessary documents. Thanks to this support, the issue was resolved even before it reached court. The overwhelming debt no longer burdens Semen's family.
This is just one household that we were able to help. In total, as part of the project, our lawyers have already provided nearly 160 similar consultations. And behind each one is a difficult story, a hard fate.
In particular, last week, our lawyers worked in Sloviansk, where they personally consulted local residents and displaced persons on pressing and complex issues. "During such consultations, you have to be not only a lawyer but also a bit of a psychologist, because people urgently need someone to listen to them. I myself am an internally displaced person, and I fully understand how many legal issues people are facing right now. I am very glad when we are able to help people solve their problems. I am grateful to be part of the project 'Paths to Integration: Humanitarian Aid in Ukraine,' which makes legal services accessible to those who need them the most," shared one of the project lawyers.