divided by chaos, united by care

Millions of families in Ukraine were torn from their everyday lives by Russia's war of aggression on 24 February 2022. According to UN Refugee Aid, over 10.5 million Ukrainians have been forced to leave their homes, the majority of them women and children. 12.7 million people in Ukraine are dependent on humanitarian aid. Most of them fled with makeshift luggage within 48 hours of the attack, heading for safe European countries. German politicians and large sections of society responded promptly to the crisis.

As a humanitarian and logistical solution for the waves of refugees arriving, there were three main arrival stations in Germany: Berlin, Frankfurt (Oder) and Hanover, where first responders were waiting for them.

Many volunteers from Hanover also organized themselves. They collected clothing, medicines and donations; cleared out apartments, provided accommodation for entire families and served as translators. Many private companies organized themselves nationwide and transported relief supplies to Ukraine. Driven by chaos, united by care sheds light on these events. It focuses on how people dealt with the sudden rupture in reality that millions of people had to endure and the willingness to take action that arose in large parts of Germany.

Ukraine and Germany, 2022