Hospital Shelter Renovation in Ukraine
Berezanka is located in Mykolaivska oblast in southern Ukraine, just 30 kilometers away from Russian-occupied territory. Air raid sirens sound in the community daily, and the danger for the 20,0000 residents in the area often lasts for hours. Amidst the danger, the local hospital also serves as a refuge from the incoming rocket and drone attacks.
Unfortunately, the hospital’s decades-old shelter did not meet all modern safety standards, and the community lacked the resources to renovate on its own. So, local authorities asked for help.
CORE responded. Having already helped other communities in Mykolaivska oblast rebuild infrastructure, including a local school, CORE understood the realities and the need to support residents in restoring the shelter. And there was a lot of work to do.
Before the war, no one had used the old shelter for years. Water had flooded the premises, and the ventilation and electrical systems were faulty. Compounding the needs, being located in a hospital, the updated shelter needed to meet new standards for patients and include accommodations that allowed doctors to perform medical procedures.
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Given the immense needs, the work required considerable resources, time, and professional expertise. CORE’s team was up to the task, and in the summer of 2025, after months of work, they completed the renovation, making a significant impact on the lives of the residents.
“We are very grateful for the shelter! There is no other modern and safe space like this in our community. This shelter is very important for us. People visit the hospital about 40,000 times a year, and risk their lives every day due to the danger of rocket attacks. However, now, if necessary, people can hide in a safe and comfortable place,” says Iryna Hopaynych, acting head of the village.
CORE also carried out the repairs with the hospital’s specific work in mind. Thanks to the tech upgrades, which include a new elevator, doctors can receive patients and perform surgeries in the shelter. Today, the shelter can temporarily accommodate up to 428 people and 270 people continuously, if needed. Although these upgrades are a stark reminder of the challenging times residents are living through, there is still hope for the future.
“Renovating the shelter is a significant step toward improving community safety. However, we hope that the security situation will improve and that the need for shelters will decrease in the future,” says Iryna Hopaynych.
If you would like to learn more about CORE’s ongoing work in Ukraine, please visit our response page. If you’d like to give to support this vital work, please visit our Emergency Response Fund page.