The War On the morning of February 24th, Russian forces launched a multi-pronged invasion by land, air, and sea on Ukraine. Now in the 8th month, the war has caused widespread destruction and killed thousands of civilians, including many children. Cities have been reduced to rubble, with virtually no part of the country untouched. In June, the World Health Organization reported hundreds of attacks on healthcare facilities and personnel. By August, 7 million people affected by the war had fled Ukraine, while nearly 7 million people were displaced within Ukraine, all searching for safety from the violence and destruction. The overall humanitarian disaster also worsened, the United Nations reported, with more than half of the people affected by the war crossing into Poland where an Americares Ukraine response team is based. The flow of refugees moving back and forth across the border continues as the war shows no sign of ending as shifting battle lines continue to produce more death and destruction. Increasing drone and missile attacks on civilian targets in many cities have killed more people and destroyed critical infrastructure. Most of the people fleeing are women, children and the elderly as many of the men remain in Ukraine. The European Union member states and other countries continue to mobilize more humanitarian aid to assist with the flood of refugees. An agreement had also been reached to allow shipments of Ukrainian grain to depart in response to a growing global food crisis. Ukraine has historically been a major supplier in the global food market. Watch the video report from Poland on the programs now helping people affected by the war deal with the trauma of violence and loss. Just click on the arrow. Americares is meeting the health needs of children and adults in Ukraine and in surrounding countries affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. At the start of the war, Americares quickly deployed an emergency response team to Poland to coordinate shipments of medicines and medical supplies into Ukraine and support local partners in Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine offering health services to people fleeing the hostilities. The team is also helping organizations provide mental health and psychosocial support to people caught in the battle, in Ukraine and neighboring countries. Addressing mental health issues, especially among children, remains a growing need across the country with some organizations fearing that mental health services will be in high demand for at least five years after the war ends. Please continue to scroll down through different perspectives of this conflict to watch and read the personal stories from Valeriy and Oleisa, Volodomyr and his team of volunteers and many more as they share their ground view of war from up close. Updated 10/20/2022 A man sweeps up rubble after shelling by Russian forces in Nivky, Kyiv, Ukraine March 23, 2022. (Photo: Eric Bouvet/VII/Redux)