The 17th humanitarian aid mission by Mediterranea Saving Humans to support war refugees in Ukraine took place between the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025. Promoted by the Bolzano, Trento, and Belluno teams, the humanitarian caravan delivered aid in the refugee camps in Lviv, which, at the start of the fourth year of war, still house refugees who fled the eastern regions of the country occupied by the Russian military.

The situation in war-torn Ukraine, as observed by our activists, is one of deep crisis. Mediterranea is present to witness what the civilian population is enduring in a context that is a breeding ground for injustices. Firstly, there is an economic crisis affecting the country, with runaway inflation making it increasingly difficult for the civilian population to purchase essential goods. Additionally, there is a social and psychological crisis due to the ongoing war and the continuous missile and drone bombings by the Russian army.

In the Lviv region during this period, it was possible to see men—almost absent during our last missions—who had been granted leaves from the front during the Christmas period. Many bear the marks of mutilations due to war injuries. Fear of forced conscription among young people is spreading, with roundups happening on the streets, and there is no opportunity to go home if one does not have a “valid” reason for not being at the front. Many are hiding to escape the draft and attempt to survive, thus losing their jobs, and those who do not update their personal data, becoming unreachable, face a fine of about 500 euros. Those who ignore the call to arms have their bank accounts blocked and are denied access to public employment.

The military cemetery, which in August 2022 had only a few rows of graves, has now expanded significantly and is divided into dozens of sectors. Funerals are held daily at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul.

Meanwhile, business groups from European countries are rubbing their hands in anticipation of the scramble for reconstruction projects in Ukraine. The country continues to move forward thanks to international loans from the United States and European countries, which will need to be repaid in the future. This situation puts the

country at the mercy of the predatory business interests of European and American economic powers.

In our distribution of comfort items to war refugees, we also distributed blankets from Sheep Italia, renewing yet another collaboration in the spirit of solidarity.

Once again with us was the music therapist from the Music&Resilience project, who facilitated moments of communication of emotions, sensations, and life with and among the war refugees in the camps and informal reception areas. This musical activity was warmly received by the refugee population, whose psychological condition is strongly affected by the ongoing war. This collaboration with Music&Resilience is one that Mediterranea Saving Humans will continue to expand in its missions in Ukraine, supporting the civilian population with valuable moments of socialization and community.