You can see the zest for life on Tatiana’s face. Although she was forced to leave her home for safety, there is a determined gleam in her eyes that she can overcome all obstacles. The horrors of war haunted her for nearly two years before she sought refuge in the Republic of Moldova. In Edineț, A.O. DEMOS, through the project “Integrated Humanitarian Response for Ukrainians Affected by Conflict and Third-Country Nationals from Ukraine, Poland, Romania, and Moldova,” provided her with the necessary support to integrate into society. Obtaining temporary protection, which guarantees her rights and facilitates social adaptation, was one of the first services the woman benefited from.
“I arrived in the Republic of Moldova in December 2023 after our home was affected by bombing. Following this, my three older children decided that my youngest son and I should leave the country. That’s how we ended up here. Adjusting to life in a foreign country has been challenging, and there were times when I felt quite stuck. Fortunately, the specialists here acted swiftly, providing us with the necessary help and support. Before arriving at the placement center, we received crucial legal assistance, which was vital for starting our new life properly. To be honest, I never imagined I would encounter such kind and generous people during these difficult times.”
The DEMOS Public Association, which supported Tatiana, is one of the 5 implementing partners of the project. A significant portion of the activities that the association carries out is aimed at integrating children, and Tatiana and her son also benefited from these services.
“I was worried about my son. In Ukraine, circumstances prevented a regular educational process. First, the pandemic confined us indoors with online classes, and then the war disrupted everything. I felt that he was suffering academically. Here in Moldova, he is now attending school. We received the necessary support to enroll him, and he is enjoying it here immensely. His classmates accepted him readily, and he has already integrated well into the group. The teachers praise him, although I’m aware that there are gaps in certain subjects.”
Determined to confront all challenges, the beneficiary from the DEMOS Public Association envisions future scenarios.
“We don’t know when the war will end, but we know that life must go on. It’s uncertain when the whole family will be reunited, especially since my two older sons are subject to conscription into the Ukrainian army. However, my daughter will join us in Moldova after finishing the school year, and then we will be together. To endure and provide a decent life for my children, I am determined to find a job. With the support of specialists from DEMOS, I’ve made several attempts to secure employment. Additionally, I am eager to learn the Romanian language to facilitate communication and integration into society. For the foreseeable future, this country will be our ‘home’ because it’s peaceful here, and we no longer fear waking up to rocket explosions.”
Tatiana is just one of the hundreds of refugees who have received assistance through the project “Integrated humanitarian response for Ukrainians affected by conflict and third-country nationals from Ukraine, Poland, Romania, and Moldova.” This project supports actions in the Republic of Moldova aimed at assisting 6,650 individuals, including refugees from Ukraine, members of the host community, vulnerable local residents, and third-country nationals affected by the conflict.
The project is implemented in partnership with Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH), with the financial support of the German Federal Foreign Office (AA). In Moldova, the project is coordinated by the Alliance of NGOs active in the field of Child and Family Social Protection (APSCF), together with 5 implementing partners (NGOs): Amici dei Bambini Moldova (AiBi), DEMOS Public Association, “Alternative Social” Public Association, Partnerships for Every Child (P4EC), and the Center for Information and Documentation on Child Rights in Moldova (CIDDC).