Helping Ukrainian Refugees Build a New Home in Teplice

Iryna, a mother from the Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine, arrived in Teplice with her family, hoping to rebuild their lives after fleeing the devastating effects of war. They came with very little, moving into an empty apartment without the means to furnish it. Thanks to the support of the local nonprofit CeHuPo and the International Organization for Migration in Czechia, they were able to turn this empty space into a home, receiving essential items like a bed, refrigerator, and chairs. For Iryna and her family, this assistance has provided not only comfort but also a sense of stability and security that had been lost.

Iryna and her family came to Czechia after they began to fear for their lives in Ukraine due to the war, and economic difficulties also started to weigh on them. Through acquaintances, they connected with the local organization CeHuPo, which arranged accommodation for them in an empty apartment.  
 
Despite the challenges, Iryna’s husband, Vova, who is 68, has continued to seek work in Czechia. Meanwhile, Iryna and their young son, who endured bombing in their village of Synelnykove, now live with the hope that life in Teplice will be safer and more stable. For Iryna and her family, this aid has meant a place to call home and the possibility of stability, something that has been out of reach for so long. “We owe everything we have here to the center,” says Iryna about the aid of CeHuPo. 

Lucie Beyerová, founder and director of CeHuPo, is dedicated to helping families like Iryna’s adjust to life in a new country. “Many refugees arrive here without knowing the language or understanding the local systems. CeHuPo works to bridge that gap, guiding them through the initial challenges and supporting them in building a stable life here,” says Beyerová. 

The latest initiative aims to assist at least 15 vulnerable Ukrainian families in Teplice, including single-parent households, elderly individuals, and people with disabilities, by providing basic items necessary to establish a stable home. Originally planned to support five families, the overwhelming demand led CeHuPo to expand its reach to more families, covering a total of 23 people. By sourcing second-hand goods and donations, CeHuPo is stretching its resources to meet the increasing need.  

For families like Iryna’s, the support offered through this project is not just about furniture or appliances; it’s about restoring dignity and stability after the hardships of war. In collaboration with IOM, CeHuPo, and the local community, these families are finding a renewed sense of home and hope for the future, one step at a time. The project lasts until the end of November 2024 and is possible thanks to the support from the Swiss Confederation.

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This story was written by Milan Votypka, IOM Czechia. For more information, please contact fstowasser@iom.int.