May 29, 2023
News
The war in Ukraine has driven millions of people from their homes, among them is also the family of 40-year-old Tatiana who fled Odessa. They found refuge in the Moldovan countryside, in a flat that belongs to Tatiana’s relatives. Finding a job here is difficult. Caritas Czech Republic in Moldova provided the family with immediate cash support, which have Tatiana time to find a way to provide for her family. Tatiana has set up an e-shop selling Ukrainian specialties and is working to provide for herself and her loved ones.
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Their relatives provided them with accommodation
Before the war, Tatiana worked as a personnel manager in a pharmaceutical company in Odessa. The town was attacked on the first day of the war. Tatiana feared for the safety of her children, 15-year-old Anna and 12-year-old Andrei. Later that day, the whole family, including their dog Muffin, boarded the last bus to the nearby border with Moldova on 24 February.
They chose neighboring Moldova not only because of its proximity but also because Tatiana's mother Rafaela comes from there. Thanks to family ties, they found refuge with relatives in the village of Chirsova in the south of the country. "We live with my children and my mother in my aunt's apartment. From here, the children join online classes via computer. But Odessa is still a target of attacks, so the power there often goes out and classes are then interrupted," Tatiana says.
Help from Caritas Czech Republic in Moldova
Not long after her arrival, Tatiana started looking for a job, as the family was struggling to cover the energy bills. There are not many job opportunities in rural regions of Moldova and Tatiana does not have a car to commute every day. Caritas Czech Republic in Moldova offered a helping hand via immediate cash support.
"I am very grateful for this support. Caritas Czech Republic is one of the few organizations that help refugees in remote regions of Moldova. A lot of organizations focus mainly on the capital city of Chisinau and its surroundings," Tatiana appreciates our help. In addition to financial support, the family also received vouchers for food and hygiene kits. "We can now cover our gas and electricity bills, buy medicine and take our dog to the vet."
Big plans for the future
Helping with basic needs gave Tatiana the space to find ways to provide for her family. When working in a bakery did not work out due to the remoteness of her village, she decided to set up an online shop selling Ukrainian sausages. It is not easy to get such products in Moldova, but they are in high demand right now due to the Ukrainian community.
Her business is just starting, but Tatiana hopes to return home one day. "During the holidays we went to Odessa. The children miss their friends very much. Fortunately, the house is standing, but the power is still out. I hope that one day we will be able to return."
How do we help refugees in Moldova?
More than 700,000 people have headed to Moldova since the start of the war in Ukraine. For most of them, it has been a transit country, but more than 100,000 refugees from Ukraine continue to stay in the country. Caritas Czech Republic in Moldova has equipped 12 placement centers in the country to provide decent housing for refugees.
Thanks to support from the European Directorate General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), we helped the war-affected people. Caritas Czech Republic in Moldova provided immediate cash support to refugees, especially vulnerable groups such as single mothers and the elderly. At the same time, we have improved access to health care for refugees, including psychological support, to help them cope with the trauma of war. In total, we supported 15,000 people in this way.
