UNHCR Cash Assistance Program: A lifeline for Refugees from Ukraine in Moldova
A glimpse of life before the war Yulia Ivashutkina, 50, is originally from Zaporozhe, Ukraine, but in recent years, she lived in Kyiv with her family. She worked in a private kindergarten and was raising two children—a son who had just started learning to play the trumpet, and a young daughter enrolled in kindergarten. “Our life in Kyiv was wonderful,” Yulia recalls. “We lived in a cozy neighborhood on the outskirts of the city, near Bucha.” But their lives were forever changed when the full-scale war broke out in February 2022, halting everything—work, education,...
From Odesa to Chisinau: How Ukrainian Children Found a New Home Through Sports in Moldova
After fleeing Odesa due to the war, Ukrainian children are finding hope and joy in Chisinau through football. Thanks to the efforts of Victoria and Gennady Oleksich, Sporting Chisinau now provides a new start for over 100 children from both Moldova and Ukraine. Over 100 children train passionately at the Sporting Football Club in Chisinau, chasing their dreams of becoming skilled footballers. For many, this football club has become more than just a training ground; it’s a place of refuge and hope. Almost half of these children come from Ukraine, having fled the war and found safety in...
Olena’s stand-up paddle board club, a refugee success story in Moldova
Olena Prysyazhniuc’s journey from a refugee to a successful entrepreneur is a testament to how passion and hard work can transform lives. Adapting to life in the Republic of Moldova Originally from Vinnytsia, Ukraine, Olena worked at the Vinnitsa City Council, where she coordinated a program dedicated to the socialization and integration of ATO (Anti-Terrorist Operation Zone) fighters, widows, and returnees from conflict zones, including people with disabilities and serious injuries. Olena has been living in the Republic of Moldova for over two years with her two daughters and...
Moldovan Soprano Valentina Nafornița, UNHCR High Profile Supporter, Advocates for Refugees in Strasbourg
Strasbourg, June 21, 2023 – In honor of World Refugee Day, Moldovan soprano and UNHCR high-profile supporter Valentina Nafornița was invited by the Council of Europe to deliver a keynote address and a captivating performance. This event was part of the Council of Europe’s 75th anniversary celebrations and Refugee Week 2024, which included various events organized by the City of Strasbourg and the Association Foyer Notre-Dame. Having become a high-profile UNHCR supporter last year, Nafornița emphasized the crucial role of solidarity in supporting refugees. “Solidarity is the...
From Odesa to Moldova: Anatolii and Taisia’s Path through Displacement
Taisia, aged 71, and Anatolii, aged 74, share a remarkable life journey that transcends the challenges of displacement. Their story began on the dance floors of Odesa, where Anatolii took a chance and approached the beautiful Taisia. Their connection deepened, leading to a happy marriage and two children. Their life in Odesa turned into turmoil when Russian Federation launched their full-scale invasion in Ukraine. Faced with the escalating situation, Anatolii and Taisia’s children, concerned for their parents’ safety, convinced them to seek refuge in the Republic of Moldova. In...
Empowering Voices: UNHCR’s Participatory Assessments 2023
Every year UNHCR and its partner organizations, hold meetings where refugees of all ages and backgrounds can share their experiences and concerns as part of the Participatory assessment (PA). This includes separate discussions with different groups, like women, girls, boys, and men. These talks help UNHCR and everyone involved in the Refugee Response to understand the challenges forcibly displaced and stateless people face and find solutions together. This approach empowers communities to work together for their protection, forming the basis for a rights-based and community-based approach....