By John Hewko, RI General Secretary and CEO —
On 4 February, I had the honor of participating in a panel discussion, “Healing the Wounds of War – Visible and Invisible” at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Chicago. This event provided a much-needed evening of peacebuilding and discussion on the steps necessary for Ukraine to recover from the devastation of war.
This issue is deeply personal to me. My parents, Lu and Natalie Hewko, fled Ukraine during World War II, escaping Soviet forces and enduring a perilous journey through Europe before finding refuge in the United States. Their courage inspired my commitment to public service and giving back to the country that welcomed them.
My father, a devoted Rotarian, served as president of the Rotary Club of Clarkston, Michigan, and helped establish the Rotary Club in Kyiv, where I am proud to be a charter member. I also had the privilege of working in Ukraine from 1991 to early 1996 and contributing to Ukraine’s independence by assisting in the drafting of its first post-Soviet constitution in 1992—a transformative experience I will always treasure.
Visit to Ukraine
In 2023, I visited Ukraine to meet with fellow Rotarians and observe firsthand the profound challenges faced by its people. The impact of the ongoing war was inescapable. Air raid sirens and daily shelling had become a grim routine.
I have relatives in Ukraine, and I was able to visit with them during my trip. While we were having dinner, the sound of air raid sirens pierced the air. Everybody whipped out their cell phones. The kids have apps capable of tracking the types of missiles attacking. These apps allow them to gauge how long it will take for airplane-launched-missiles to hit their target, which could be right down the street.
I grew up with baseball cards. Children in Ukraine today are growing up with missiles and attack drones and school lessons in bomb shelters. These experiences will shape their generation and Ukrainian society for decades to come.
The scale of the recovery needed in Ukraine is staggering. A joint report by the World Bank, United Nations, and European Commission estimated that the cost of reconstruction and recovery, as of February 2024, reached $486 billion – an increase of $75 billion from 2023.
These figures reflect immense damage, including the destruction of two million housing units, 8,400 kilometers of roads, nearly 300 bridges and damage and destruction to over 1,500 medical facilities. Rebuilding this critical infrastructure is essential to restoring normalcy and revitalizing Ukraine’s economy.
Equally important are measures to combat corruption, strengthen governance, and attract foreign investment. These efforts will not only support Ukraine’s recovery but also bolster its prospects for European Union integration.
Beyond rebuilding infrastructure, there is a profound need to address the emotional and psychological toll of the war. I witnessed this during my visit to a rehabilitation center for wounded soldiers, who all displayed extraordinary resilience. I left in awe of their patriotism, but all Ukrainians must be allowed to heal from this war – allowed to live their lives in peace and security.
Hope for the future
Civil society organizations, including Rotary, have been instrumental in supporting Ukraine during this crisis. A special relief fund established by The Rotary Foundation raised more than $17.4 million, funding 375 grants that provided vital assistance. In addition, we are estimating that another $65 million of support has been provided directly by Rotary clubs to Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees. This global outpouring of generosity has been a beacon of hope, underscoring the power of collective action. However, the work is far from over. Ukraine’s recovery will require sustained international support and a commitment to peacebuilding.
Healing the wounds of war – both visible and invisible – is a monumental task. But it is also an opportunity to rebuild a stronger, more united Ukraine.
The courage and determination of the Ukrainian people inspire hope for a brighter future. As members of Rotary and global citizens, we must continue to champion the rights of people everywhere to live in peace and rebuild their lives.
Together, we can help Ukraine emerge from this tragedy stronger and more resilient than ever before.
John Hewko has served as Rotary International’s general secretary and chief executive officer since 2011. A charter member of the Rotary Club of Kyiv, Ukraine, he has immunized children against polio in India, represented Rotary at the World Economic Forum, and bicycled 104 miles (167 km) with Rotary members in Arizona, USA, to help raise over $50 million for polio eradication. He and the executive team oversee a staff of more than 800, who serve Rotary members from our world headquarters in Evanston, Illinois, USA, and seven international offices.
https://blog.rotary.org/2025/02/05/together-we-can-help-ukraine-emerge-stronger-and-more-resilient/