The UN Refugee Agency and the Museum of Kyiv History have opened a photo exhibition dedicated to supporting people in Ukraine. The exhibition highlights key milestones from three decades of work with individuals displaced or affected by the war in Ukraine.
On June 20, in honor of World Refugee Day, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Museum of Kyiv History represents the photo exhibition, which will later travel across the country, marking 30 years of the agency’s activities and achievements in Ukraine.
The exhibition Keeping Hope Away from Home features 30 photographs reflecting the key milestones of UNHCR’s 30 years of work in Ukraine: from supporting the repatriation of Crimean Tatars in the 1990s to assisting internally displaced persons and those affected by a decade of war.
Visitors will be able to listen to audio stories from people supported by UNHCR over the past 30 years, as well as accounts from UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, American actor Ben Stiller.
First-hand stories provide insight into the incredible resilience and courage of people who were forced to leave their homes and communities to save their lives, find safe shelter, and secure solutions for their situations.
“In this photo exhibition, we aim to tell the story of three decades of our work for and with the people of Ukraine. Throughout all these years, we have provided services in social and legal protection, humanitarian assistance, and long-term solutions for internally displaced persons, those affected by the war, returnees to their places of origin, and stateless persons across the country. UNHCR is deeply grateful for the close partnership and collaboration with the Government of Ukraine, state authorities, and regional and local communities over these years. We are proud to have had the opportunity to work with and for the brave and resilient people in Ukraine. Facing threats, pain, and challenges, they have shown courage and resourcefulness, which keep inspire and motivate us every day in our work as we implement programs in protection, shelter, and recovery to preserve hope and faith that Ukraine is a country one can return to, stay in, and build a home and future,” said UNHCR Representative in Ukraine, Karolina Lindholm Billing.
“Our Government recognizes people as the highest priority. It is essential to support them during displacement and create conditions for their return. Close partnership between the Government of Ukraine and UNHCR plays a crucial role in providing assistance to millions of Ukrainians affected by Russia’s war. Support aimed at Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction directly contributes to the return of displaced Ukrainians to their homes. Together, we strive to ensure that people receive the protection and assistance they need, paving the way for a safe and dignified return. It is also important to help Ukrainians preserve their identity and cultural heritage in these challenging times. This exhibition highlights our joint efforts over the past three decades and underscores our commitment to continuing this vital work,” emphasized First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andriy Sybiha.
“In times of war, the issue of refugees and forced displacement has become a part of everyday reality for many of us, yet it remains urgent and demands attention. Through the Museum of Kyiv History’s exhibition projects, we have repeatedly used art to show how the war continues to have a daily destructive impact on the lives of Ukrainians. With this exhibition, we want to emphasize that people fleeing the war need support and the restoration of hope for a happy future. Through our joint efforts, we can draw the world’s attention to the courage and resilience of those who were forced to leave their homes and rebuild their lives due to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine,” said Diana Popova, General Director of the Museum of Kyiv History.
In 1994, UNHCR began its operations in Ukraine by supporting the repatriation of Crimean Tatars, who had been mass-deported during World War II. UNHCR also collaborated with the Government of Ukraine to establish a procedure for obtaining refugee status. This allowed over 2,000 refugees from other countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, and Syria, to find safe shelter and a new home in Ukraine.
Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation on February 24, 2022, the Agency has assisted 4.3 million people in 2022 through various humanitarian and recovery programs; 2.63 million in 2023; and in 2024 has provided over 857,000 different services to people affected by the war across the country.