In Zaporizhzhia, 15 kilometers from the frontline, a transit center operates, which has become a shelter for over 5,000 people evacuated from dangerous regions.
The center, located in the building of a former geriatric boarding house, has been operational for over three months. During this time, it has received 5,536 individuals, among whom a significant part is families with children forcibly evacuated. The transit center has become a salvation for residents of frontline communities in the Zaporizhzhia region, such as Huliaipole, Orikhiv, and other villages where hostilities are ongoing.
Among the residents of the center is 70-year-old Natalia Mykolayivna and her son Serhii, who were the first to leave Huliaipole due to heavy shelling. They lost their home back in 2022 and lived without basic conditions until they were forced to seek a safer place. Another example is 39-year-old Olena from Kushuhum, who arrived at the center with her two children after the shelling intensified in the fall of 2025.
Since the center began operations in November 2025, it has received 5,536 people, including 970 children. Most of them spend from three to 21 days there, engaging in document restoration, social aid registration, and receiving basic humanitarian support. Subsequently, they are transferred to safer regions, particularly to Zakarpattia. Displaced individuals are offered rooms with basic amenities and cosmetic repairs or refurbished dormitories for families with children.
| Month | Number of Displaced People |
|---|---|
| November 2025 | 220 |
| December 2025 | 1,214 |
| January 2026 | 2,524 |
| February 2026 (1-24) | 1,578 |
Many displaced people, even though they have the opportunity to move far from the conflict zone, still strive to stay closer to home, attempting to return over time. Such a center has become an important element in the assistance system for the population affected by the conflict, helping people not only find a safe haven but also adapt to new living conditions.
