'The sound of the sirens stays with you'

Local woman witnesses resilience amid Ukraine’s harsh winter

A local Tipperary woman has returned home with powerful stories of resilience and endurance after a recent visit to Ukraine, where she experienced firsthand the daily realities facing communities living through war and extreme winter conditions.

Joanna Dadié, née Kinane, travelled to Ukraine earlier this year as part of a humanitarian mission, spending time with families and colleagues in areas affected by ongoing conflict. Her visit coincided with some of the coldest conditions of the season, with temperatures plunging to minus 20 degrees Celsius, compounding the hardships already endured by millions.

As Ukraine enters its fifth year following the Russian invasion in February 2022, winter’s Arctic temperatures have once again settled over a country at war. Four years of conflict have taken a toll on millions of families who struggle to survive while maintaining hope for the future.

Fighting remains concentrated in eastern and southern Ukraine, while widespread attacks on energy infrastructure continues to disrupt daily life across the country.

As temperatures plummet, families face renewed displacement, growing uncertainty and constant interruptions to heating, water and electricity.

In the last few months, humanitarian needs have continued to intensify, especially in communities close to the frontlines. More than 14 million people now need assistance to meet basic needs, repair and heat their homes, recover from trauma, and begin rebuilding their livelihoods.

Daily life can shift suddenly and without warning, as millions remain internally displaced. Many families returning to areas no longer under occupation find their homes and community infrastructure severely damaged, while others are once again forced to leave as conditions continue to deteriorate. Arctic weather magnifies existing hardships. Homes damaged by fighting are difficult to heat, power outages can last for days, and water is a constant challenge as pipes freeze.

Although Ukraine’s government has taken steps to support affected families, those efforts are constrained by the demands of ongoing military defence and co-ordination challenges.

During her stay, Joanna spent every night sleeping in a bomb shelter, as air raid sirens regularly warned of incoming strikes.

“Every evening we moved underground, "she said. “I was safe from air strikes, but the sound of the sirens stays with you. It becomes part of daily life there.”

Despite the cold and the constant threat of attack, Joanna was struck by the determination of the people she met. “What affected me most was the contrast,” she explained. “I was safe and warm and kept thinking of those who have no power due to attacks on energy infrastructure. Families are trying to keep children warm in extreme temperatures.”

Homes damaged by shelling are difficult to heat, and long power outages mean water systems frequently failed. “Even in those conditions, people welcomed us, offered tea, and wanted to talk about rebuilding their lives,” she said.

Joanna moved home to Tipperary in July 2025 after living abroad for over 11 years.

She remarked, “I complain about the cold here, but what I saw in Ukraine puts things into perspective.” She added that the resilience of the Ukrainian population, especially in the depths of winter is remarkable.

She hopes that sharing these stories locally will help people better understand the human cost of the conflict—and the urgent need for continued support as Ukraine faces yet another brutal winter.