Ukraine: Inside Kharkiv's subway stations, MSF mobile clinics care for those trapped by war

Before traveling to Kharkiv, I spent a few days in the city of Vinnytsia, which is located far from the front line. We wanted to get in touch with Ukrainian psychologists who could assist the displaced people—many with psychological trauma—who were passing through the city on their way to safety in other countries.

This was when I met Olena, a psychologist from Ukraine. Her eyes were blank during our conversation. She had family members in the besieged city of Mariupol and had heard little about how they were doing.

Olena said that she couldn’t work now. Before the war, she had worked as a clinical psychologist and treated patients with personal problems. “The patients have stopped coming,” she said. “The problems they had before seem so small now.” Looking at me, she said, “It’s good to meet you. You are so calm. You don’t have the stress and worries that we have. The fact that you are here has a calming effect on us.”  

I have worked in many crises and war zones, but I have never heard it so explicitly stated, that our presence has such a significant impact on people. Medical humanitarian work is not only about the concrete help we provide in the form of medicine and treatment, but also about the presence of people from other countries and how they stand alongside the people who are experiencing this crisis firsthand.

Our presence can provide hope, peace, and a sense of security. It is a concrete symbol that we care. We are there as fellow human beings, directly and closely. They are not forgotten.