Over 100 participants from 24 countries joined an InfoShare hosted by the GÉANT Humanitarian Support Group for NRENs, hearing first-hand how people in Ukraine have adapted to living and working through prolonged crisis.
What does it take to keep everyday life going when the electricity can disappear for days, physical safety is under constant threat and uncertainty becomes part of daily life?
These were some of the questions explored during Be Prepared: Lessons in Resilience from Ukraine, an online InfoShare hosted on 29 October by the GÉANT Humanitarian Support Group for NRENs, in collaboration with URAN, Ukraine’s National Research and Education Network.
The session brought together participants from the following countries: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
The event offered an opportunity to learn directly from two of our colleagues living and working in Ukraine, Tetiana Preobrazhenska and Iryna Rykhalska. Drawing on their own experiences since Russia’s full-scale invasion, they shared practical advice on preparing for prolonged power cuts, responding to physical danger and protecting mental well-being during extended periods of uncertainty.
Their message was clear: although their experience comes from war, many of the lessons are relevant well beyond Ukraine. Natural disasters, cyberattacks, sabotage and major infrastructure failures can all disrupt the systems and routines on which we depend.
Preparing for the unexpected
The first part of the session focused on prolonged power outages and their far-reaching consequences.
In Ukraine, attacks on energy infrastructure have resulted in electricity cuts lasting up to 20 hours a day, sometimes continuing for several days. The impact extends well beyond lighting and household appliances. Water supplies and central heating can stop working, mobile connectivity can become unavailable, and even everyday activities such as cooking, working and travelling can become difficult.
Tetiana and Iryna shared how they have adapted their homes over time, from using rechargeable lights and power banks to installing inverters, battery systems and alternative heating solutions. They also discussed practical preparations such as keeping supplies of drinking water, planning meals and knowing where to find essential equipment before an emergency happens.
The advice was grounded in personal experience rather than ideal scenarios. Preparing does not necessarily mean buying expensive equipment or having a solution for every possible situation. It means understanding what you and your family need, identifying priorities and knowing what options are available.
Knowing what to do when danger strikes
The second topic addressed physical safety and the importance of being prepared to act quickly.
Tetiana and Iryna explained how to identify the nearest available shelter, what to do if reaching one is not possible, and why having an emergency go-bag ready can be so vital. She also highlighted the value of keeping essential documents and information accessible through secure digital copies.
Participants were encouraged to think about their own surroundings: Do you know where your nearest shelter is? Would you know what to take if you had to leave home quickly? Have you considered how you would help family members or others who might need additional support?
The discussion also reinforced the importance of practical knowledge. For example, first aid is not something that can be learned simply by reading instructions; it requires hands-on training and practice.
Resilience is also about looking after ourselves
Perhaps one of the most important parts of the session was the discussion about mental well-being.
Living with prolonged uncertainty and danger takes a toll. Tetiana and Iryna spoke openly about the effects of long-term stress, including anxiety, exhaustion, disrupted sleep and difficulties with concentration and decision-making.
They also shared the everyday practices that help them cope. Planning in short intervals, maintaining familiar routines, taking care of physical health, limiting exposure to distressing news and staying connected with other people all contribute to a sense of stability.
Looking after yourself is not a luxury or an act of selfishness. It is essential. Being kind to yourself, recognising your limits, asking for help and allowing yourself moments of enjoyment are all part of maintaining resilience. Sometimes, managing the ordinary things in life is already an achievement.
The strength of community
The InfoShare was also a reminder of the importance of solidarity and the support that communities can provide during difficult times.
The GÉANT community has supported URAN since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, through professional advice, moral encouragement and financial contributions from individuals and NRENs.
This spirit of mutual support is at the heart of the GÉANT Humanitarian Support Group. Beyond providing assistance, the group creates opportunities to share experience, learn from one another and strengthen the connections that make collective action possible.
The InfoShare closed with a reminder: preparedness starts before a crisis. Make a plan, establish routines, practise essential skills, stay informed without becoming overwhelmed, and build relationships with the people around you.
We hope that the Ukrainian experience shared during the session will never need to be replicated elsewhere. But the knowledge, practical advice and human perspective offered by Tetiana and Iryna are valuable well beyond the circumstances in which they were learned.
Be prepared. Stay connected. Look after one another.
An Appeal from the Humanitarian Support Group
Thank you for reading our article. Since we have your attention, we’d like to ask you to spare a little more. After over five years of full-scale invasion and war, people in Ukraine are bracing for another winter of long power outages, disruption and extreme cold. We can all do our bit to help, and it doesn’t take much. Visit our pages to find out how you can make a difference and support our friends in Ukraine. We are grateful for your generosity.
https://community.geant.org/how-to-contribute/
The next infoshare with the URAN team Keeping the network running: URAN’s experience of wartime blackouts
will take place on 26 November 2026 at 15:00 CET. The URAN technical team will share concrete, field-tested approaches developed while operating through prolonged power outages caused by attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, and how they have been adapting available resources under extreme operational pressure.
