What question did this study set out to answer?

To investigate the impact of humanitarian shelter programming on the mental well-being of individuals affected by the conflict in Ukraine.

April 16, 2026Open Access

Exploring the links between humanitarian shelter support and mental health in conflict-affected contexts: Experiences from the Kharkiv region, Ukraine

Key Points

To investigate the impact of humanitarian shelter programming on the mental well-being of individuals affected by the conflict in Ukraine.
Conducted qualitative interviews with beneficiaries of shelter repair interventions.
Facilitated focus groups with local community stakeholders and humanitarian organization staff.
Examined lived experiences of participants regarding their housing situations and mental health.
Shelter repairs significantly enhance participants' sense of well-being.
Home is regarded as essential for mental health and social security.
Community connections play a crucial role in supporting participants' mental well-being.

Abstract

This article presents the findings from a study which explored the impact of humanitarian shelter programming on the well-being of Ukrainians that suffered damage to their homes following the full-scale Russian invasion.The impact of humanitarian interventions on mental health is neglected in the global mental health literature.A qualitative study was conducted in the rural territorial community in the Kharkiv region in eastern Ukraine.It utilised interviews with beneficiaries of shelter repair interventions, as well as focus groups with the beneficiaries, local community stakeholders, as well as staff, advisers and managers from a humanitarian organisation providing shelter and mental health and psychosocial support in the region.Findings suggest that shelter repairs alone are important for the participants' sense of well-being, because home means 'everything' for the participants and is a focal point for their lives.Homemaking support and internal repairs are signposted as relevant to their well-being.Focus on their lived experience also highlights the importance of understanding the historical and socio-economic context to understand participants' decisions to stay in or return to their damaged homes amid continued conflict.Beyond mental wellbeing, home is a site of food security.Family, friends, neighbours, and communities are also highlighted as important sources of support that significantly contribute to their well-being.Mobile communication is an important means to stay connected to their loved ones.Findings also suggest that the mental health and psycho-social support in conflict settings should focus on community revitalisation and collaboration with other humanitarian sectors. Impact statementFindings from the study show the importance of connecting humanitarian mental health and psycho-social support (MHPSS) and shelter programming in protracted conflicts.This has implications for humanitarian practice.For shelter programmingbeyond light and medium repairs (roof, windows, repairs to the walls), consider means to provide additional resources (cash or inkind) for internal repairs, to strengthen the well-being impact of shelter programmes and support self-recovery.

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