Just a few years back, their days revolved around work, school, family dinners and plans for the future. All that changed once Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. In no time, the lives of millions of Ukrainians living in conflict zones were turned upside down, forcing them to abandon the land of their childhoods, friends and achievements. Often carrying only what could fit into a single suitcase, they began a journey to seek shelter from the horrors of war.
Since the war began, more than 2 million people have crossed into Moldova to escape hostilities and the country still shelters around 140,000 Ukrainian refugees.
To support this large-scale humanitarian response, the European Union released over €93 million in humanitarian assistance, helping both refugees and vulnerable host communities access essential services. Working together has been vital for helping people rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.
Room to breathe
At 43, Iryna is changing her family's future. When the war became too dangerous, she made the hard decision to leave Ukraine to keep her 3 children safe. With little money but a lot of courage, she crossed into Moldova.
‘We arrived with almost nothing. People helped with whatever they could. They were bringing dishes, bedding, even a TV. We are very grateful to them, Iryna recalls her arrival to Moldova.
Starting over was hard, but with cash assistance from the European Union and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Iryna has found some stability abroad and can give her children a safer future.
When we first received cash assistance, I felt relief’, remembers Iryna. ‘For the first time, I felt that we could breathe a little. We could immediately pay rent and utilities.
A light in the darkness
When Yelyzaveta and her 7-year-old son with cerebral palsy, Myroslav, left their home in the Odesa region, their possessions included only $200, 1 suitcase, and a stroller. ‘Back then, I used to say that wherever our suitcase was, that was our home,’ recalls Yelyzaveta.
However, in Moldova’s Taraclia, Myroslav’s needs became too difficult to fulfil until the Moldovan NGO AVE Copiii, supported by the European Union and UNICEF, stepped in to provide winter clothing, financial support and necessary learning tools.
When I told them he couldn't write with his hands, the people from AVE Copiii bought him a special board so he could learn letters and numbers. It was such a joy.
The support received by Myroslav and his mother is a result of the partnership between the European Union and UNICEF, through which vulnerable children are connected to essential services and tailored support, helping them grow up safe, protected and included.
Taking root again
For a long time, Elena resisted leaving Ukraine. But after days without water, heating or electricity following Russian attacks, she realised she could no longer keep her family safe.
Today, Elena lives in Ungheni (western Moldova) with her husband Yaroslav and their 2-year-old daughter Eva. While they are gradually rebuilding their lives, the feeling of being uprooted remains.
We are like a seed. Our lives are constantly being replanted from 1 soil to another. And I still hope to take root in the new country.
As they adapt to life in Moldova and search for a new home, multi-purpose cash assistance from the EU and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has helped the family cover essential expenses and regain a measure of stability.
The stories of these families reflect the ongoing experience of displacement that affects millions of people around the world. Each refugee's journey is unique, but they all share common challenges. They have faced loss, found ways to endure, and are moving forward in search of safety. Thanks to support from the EU and its partners, displaced families are not just coping – they are starting to build new lives.
