Building a resilient family and business despite the war

Ukraine | 2024 | CBPF

Ukraine, Chernihivska Oblast. Valentyna Tapekba has been breeding quail for about eight years. “My son has low haemoglobin,” she explains, and hearing that quails’ eggs can help the condition, she started breeding the birds herself.

Fierce fighting in the Chernihivska area, close to the border with the Russian Federation, has meant hard times for the family and farm since 2022.

ZOA Ukraine has been supporting rural livelihoods and small family businesses in front-line areas and border regions.Thanks to ZOA support and funding from the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund, Valentyna’s farm is thriving.

In 2025, an estimated 12.7 million people - roughly 36 per cent of Ukraine’s population –need humanitarian assistance to survive. Intensified hostilities and attacks throughout 2024 sharply increased humanitarian needs. People right across the country are affected, with the worst impact in the east, south, and parts of the north.

For Valentyna, the support from ZOA allowed her to expand her business, making it more resilient in such uncertain times. “With the new 600-egg incubator and additional equipment, I’ve increased the number of birds from 50 to 150. This means an output of 1,500 eggs a month – and it’s just the beginning!”

ZOA and the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund have provided livelihoods support to many families affected by the war – especially those living in front-line areas or the border regions.

Katrina, a mother from Sumy, fled her home in 2022. She was on the verge of selling her animals, which she and her family depended on to survive. As part of ZOA’s programme, Katrina received an additional cow – which allowed her to keep all her animals, meaning that she could provide food and earn an income to support her family.

More information on the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund

Based on stories from UHF partner ZOA.

Pooled Fund impact stories