Photos by: Kateryna Stolypina, Maryna Petrenko, Natalya Bernaz, Ruslana Pogozhykh, Tatiana Parkhotko, UkrainianGreek Initiative.
24th February marks one year since the start of the war in Ukraine, which triggered the biggest and fastest growing refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War. With some 8 million refugees forced to flee to neighbouring countries and over 5.3 million more people being internally displaced in Ukraine, the war has resulted in forced displacement and humanitarian needs not witnessed in Europe in decades.
But it has also generated an unparalleled outpouring of solidarity and support across states, within host communities, and among families who have opened their doors or donated time and resources to welcome refugees from Ukraine. Greece is currently hosting some 22,000 refugees from Ukraine, mainly women and children.
On this sad anniversary, five Ukrainian refugee women in Greece, Kateryna Stolypina, Maryna Petrenko, Natalya Bernaz, Ruslana Pogozhykh and Tatiana Parkhotko, as well as volunteers from the Thessaloniki-based “Ukrainian-Greek Initiative” association, share their thoughts on the reception Ukrainians found in Greece, what gives them encouragement and strength and their hopes for the future. They also send their own message to refugees from other countries.
Life in Greece
“When the war broke out, many Ukrainian women with children were forced to go abroad, because the main task of every mother is to save what is most valuable for her, the lives of her children, who are the future of Ukraine. So, we all came to Greece from different cities of Ukraine, seeking protection from the war”, Natalya from Odesa recounts. “Many Greeks responded to our plight and tried to help us. We are grateful to the people of Greece for their kind, sincere and open hearts.”
Life in Greece is totally different to life in Ukraine, says Kateryna, but people are helpful, while there is support from various groups. “Sometimes it may be complicated for the Ukrainians to get used to the slow pace of life in everything, especially in dealing with public institutions, but the process of issuing cards of Temporary Protection is easy and fast”, she notes. Tatiana from Mariupol agrees that “trying to obtain any document in a tax office, bank, etc. is complicated and time-consuming”, but appreciates the beauty of Greece, the warm climate, the food and its “authentic” people.
Finding support and encouragement
During the past year, Ukrainian women in Greece say they received support from different groups, communities and organizations, but, still, they had to harness their inner strength and try to stand on their own feet.
Maryna cites the support she could find from “Doctors of the World”, but also the opportunity to communicate and “do a good deed” within the “Ukrainian Women in Greece” group. Tatiana adds that everything can be found on the Internet as there is centralized information for refugees, phone numbers, websites and organizations, but admits that “financial and other issues, we solve ourselves”. For Ruslana, encouragement can be found in her circle of like-minded people and other Ukrainian refugee women. “I admire people who have the desire to help on a variety of issues that I face in Greece. I know about a dozen organizations that offer assistance, from clothes, food and medicine, to psychological support, teaching languages, giving books, or organizations that simply provide an opportunity to relax, do yoga, create, and escape from everyday worries.”
Natalya regrets that the assistance offered initially has gradually decreased but says that many women have managed to find jobs, albeit unskilled ones. However, not all Ukrainian women can work, there are the elderly, mothers with very young children, people with disabilities”, she adds. The women who support their Ukrainian compatriots through the Ukrainian-Greek Initiative in Thessaloniki confirm that life in Greece can be very pleasant, provided that financial issues are solved. Still, the greatest support comes from their families in Greece and in Ukraine, they add.
Hope for the people from Ukraine
“My biggest wish is for the war to be over” says Kateryna echoing the hopes of millions of Ukrainians, while Maryna advises her compatriots to “believe in yourself, be yourself, and no matter what, find yourself in some activity”. Tatiana wishes strength, patience and faith to all and under no circumstances to give up, but “support each other, take care of ourselves and our loved ones”.
“Our wish for the people from Ukraine is that they can return to their homes and families and feel safe and free again” add the Ukrainian volunteers in Thessaloniki. “For those who have lost their homes and loved ones, and this applies to all refugees, we wish them to be able to build a new life that they deserve.”
Finding comfort in the solidarity of their communities is another way for the women to look into the future with courage. “Despite all the difficulties of life, I can say that Ukrainians are incredible people, they are all very united, each one of us is trying to support the other. We also cannot stand aside from what is happening in Ukraine, so we organize various events, rallies […], collect aid and medicine for those who stayed in Ukraine” says Natalya.
Message to other refugees
“Don’t lose hope” says Kateryna addressing to refugees of any nationality while adding that one should try to adapt, learn the local language and get help from legal and public institutions.
“Wherever fate throws us, it is in our hands to remain strong and determined” Tatiana advises, while Maryna’s message to other uprooted people is to believe that whatever happens to them can lead to something better.
“To refugees from other countries, I can say that in these difficult situations we find ourselves in, and which unite us all, the most important thing is to not lose faith in the good, to support each other, not worry about the loss of material things, and to remember that family is the most valuable treasure.” Ruslana says. “And wherever you are, be sure that you will meet good people on your way, no matter what nationality they are.”
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