“Road of Hope” in Sumy Helps Restore Documents for People Who Fled Shelling

In Sumy, the number of people who have lost not only their homes but also their documents due to the constant shelling of border communities in the region is growing every day. Russian forces continue to attack the area with artillery and drones. As a result, people are evacuating, often leaving everything behind — including their belongings and documents.

Without a passport or identification code, a person effectively loses access to basic rights: they cannot obtain IDP status, receive social benefits, access medical care, or find employment. Lawyers from the “Road of Hope” project help restore lost documents and reestablish access to public services. Special attention is given to issuing Ukrainian passports and internally displaced person (IDP) certificates.

“After evacuation, the first priority is to confirm your status and restore your documents. Without this, people remain outside the assistance system,” explains Oksana Boychenko, the project’s legal advisor.

According to her, beneficiaries are accompanied to administrative service centers, migration service offices, pension fund branches, and medical institutions. In addition to legal assistance, people also receive psychological support.

“Everyone has their own story. But the most important thing is seeing that people feel supported again and are not left alone,” adds Oksana Boychenko.

The “Road of Hope” project is implemented by Eleos-Ukraine in partnership with Johanniter International Assistance, with financial support from Aktion Deutschland Hilft.