Frontline humanitarian work in Ukraine is fraught with danger, as illustrated by Oleg Kemin, a security officer with the UN World Food Programme (WFP). He travels deep into disputed territory along the 1,000-kilometre contact line separating Ukraine from Russia, where attack drones pose a constant threat. Kemin’s work involves delivering food aid to vulnerable communities under the constant risk of shelling and drone attacks, with cities including Kyiv frequently targeted and plunged into darkness due to attacks on the energy infrastructure. These conditions create additional challenges for civilians, many of whom spend sleepless nights in shelters, and for aid workers who must track air raid alerts and follow emergency protocols to keep staff safe.
The psychological toll of the conflict is ongoing. Despite four years of war, Kemin notes that it is impossible to become fully accustomed to the danger, as attacks can occur suddenly, sometimes before anyone can reach safety. Humanitarian teams must develop procedures to assess needs and maintain operations once attacks end, while energy and water companies work tirelessly to restore essential services. Some of the most vulnerable communities currently include Pokrovsk, Kupyansk, Konstantynivka, and Dobropillya, where the gradual movement of the frontline has led to shop closures, building damage, and depopulation.
Aid operations are further complicated by the presence of small, operator-controlled drones in frontline areas. WFP convoys coordinate with both sides of the conflict through Humanitarian Notification Systems, while protective measures such as netted corridors built by Ukrainian forces provide limited safety against drone strikes. However, the nets are not foolproof, as they can be damaged by weather or exploited by advancing drones. Despite these risks, humanitarian teams continue to reach communities near the frontlines, sometimes driving armored vehicles through mud and difficult terrain to deliver food aid.
Many of the people receiving aid are elderly, pensioners, or individuals with disabilities who choose to remain in their homes despite the danger, often citing emotional ties to their land and family history. Some have attempted to move to safer regions but returned due to financial or logistical challenges. WFP provides food kits and, where possible, cash-based assistance to help residents access essentials, while also working to restore farmland through mine-clearing operations. Approximately 25 to 30 per cent of Ukraine’s agricultural land is contaminated with unexploded ordnance, and demining is crucial to allow local farming to resume, supporting both domestic food security and global grain exports.
Overall, the daily reality for aid workers in Ukraine combines physical danger, psychological stress, and logistical challenges. They navigate constant threats from shelling and drones while delivering essential supplies, maintaining infrastructure, and restoring farmland, striving to meet the urgent needs of civilians trapped in conflict zones.
