Leading experience in social work in Ukraine during the First World War

Abstract

Social work is a relatively new phenomenon in the study of European history. Previously, it did not stand out as an independent direction in the activities of public authorities and military administration. Therefore, the organization of social assistance by the Ukrainians during the First World War (1914 – 1918) needs considerable attention in covering current issues of history, in particular, the history of global military conflicts of the twentieth century. The article describes the activities of the Ukrainian branch of the All-Russian Zemsky Union, the Committee of the SouthWestern Front of Assistance to Sick and Injured Soldiers of the All-Russian Union of Cities, the Red Cross Society of Ukraine, well-known Ukrainian philanthropists and other non-governmental organizations in the years of First World War towards social work with servicemen, veterans and civilians. The directions and results of the work of these institutions are considered. It is emphasized that this is an important area of concern for society to ensure the livelihoods of individual segments of the population in extreme conditions – military. The experience of such activity testified to the advantages of public initiative over the bureaucratic state apparatus.