"Keep in touch with the people." Perceptions of aid in Ukraine's changing context

The full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine is well into its second year, and the needs of those living there remain high. While the humanitarian situation in Ukraine is fluid and changing – with recent attacks on Kyiv, destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam, and newly liberated areas – people’s perceptions of aid remain relatively constant.

Supported by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), GTS have been working with Open Space Works Cooperative and the Kyiv International Institute for Sociology to listen to people’s perspectives across Ukraine. GTS conducted phone surveys with over 4,000 people between September 2022 and March 2023 to understand how aid is provided, what barriers people face when accessing aid, and how they would like to communicate with humanitarian actors. In more than 30 qualitative interviews with representatives of civil society organisations and people who needed or received aid, GTS asked about their priorities, interactions with aid providers, and what they see as key areas that need to be improved. All findings were discussed in online and faceto-face workshops with over 130 humanitarian actors – local volunteers, civil society representatives, donors, and national, international, and UN staff – to identify best practices and areas for improvement.