UNHCR provides winter support to refugees and Moldovans
As temperatures across the Republic of Moldova dip below zero, Lena and her family struggle to make ends meet. The war in Ukraine uprooted them from their Odesa home almost ten months ago, and forced them to seek safety in Moldova, where they still live. Lena’s husband suffers from a physical disability and their two teenage children are in school: their daughter studies at a Moldovan school, while their older son attends Ukrainian classes online. Lena explains how the winter season has brought new challenges for the family. “High prices for food, electricity and gas make it harder to...
Cash assistance, a vital tool for refugee inclusion
When the war in Ukraine reached Kristina’s* city, killing her husband and destroying her home, she had no option but to flee. She is now one of over 96,000 refugees that have chosen to stay in the Republic of Moldova. Kristina found safety and support in Ungheni, a community close to the border with Romania, which has deep historical ties to Ukraine. This small village welcomed Kristina and provided her with an old house to live in – which mirrors how many refugees in this country have found accommodation. She says she is happy to have a roof over her head. “I had nothing after I had to...
A refugee from Ukraine starts anew in Chisinau with an eye on home
Olesea’s family knew their home was not safe when a trip to the grocery store became so frightening: “I was coming home from buying bread for my family when I saw a fighter jet flying above me,” she recalls. “Lots of smoke was coming out of the plane. I got very scared and ran to the house, where I found my sister crying in fear while my mother tried to reassure her. At this moment we realized it was time for us to leave.” In this village near Mykolaiv, their house already bore signs of danger. “Before the war began, we had begun repairing [it], but never had the chance...