January 10, 2024
News
Svetlana and Victoria, two sisters from Odesa, Ukraine, had a comfortable and peaceful life until the outbreak of the war. When the bombings intensified, the sisters, aged 39 and 36, along with their elderly father and children, embarked on a search for a safe refuge, which they eventually found in the town of Comrat in Moldova.
Fragmented lives due to the war
Svetlana and Victoria chose Moldova because of its proximity to Ukraine and the presence of some relatives. Initially, a cousin accommodated them.
When they realised the war would not end soon, the family moved to a rented apartment in Comrat. "Everything we had accumulated in our lives remained in Odesa. All our belongings are there, and our lives are still there. We've put our lives on hold," shares Svetlana. "My husband couldn't come with us. We're grateful we could at least bring our dad. He's 68 and he has many health issues," adds the younger sister.
In Odesa, Svetlana owned a nail salon, which she had to close when the war began. In Comrat, she attempted to find some part time job in local beauty salon, but the town is too small, and local salons do not hire new members. In the meantime, she takes care of her 7-year-old daughter Daria and tries to help her and integrate her into the new environment.
Daria continues her online classes at a school in Ukraine and, although she likes the life Moldova, she wants to return home to her friends as soon as possible.
Victoria, the older sister, used to work in a travel agency before the war. Although she continues to work remotely, she noticed a significant drop in travel requests: "People no longer think about vacations since the war began." Victoria's son, 6-year-old Dmitrii, attends local kindergarten and, like his cousin Daria, is adapting to the new environment.
In search of a safe home as an elderly person
68-year-old Iurii, the father of Svetlana and Victoria, worked his entire life as a driver. He had recently retired but continued to work. Never did he imagine that in retirement, instead of enjoying peaceful days and walks with his grandchildren, he would end up looking for a safe home.
Iurii did not want to leave Ukraine: "I would have preferred to stay home, even if there was a war. However, the girls convinced me to come with them. Now I'm a senior on the road after a lifetime of work and dedication,“ he says. Although it is challenging for him to adjust to his new routine, Iurii is grateful to have his daughters and grandchildren around, and they are all healthy and safe.
Caritas Czech Republic's Support for Ukrainian Refugees in Moldova
Caritas Czech Republic has helped this family by providing cash assistance. The money from Caritas Czech Republic was used to purchase medications for Iurii and covered a part of the rental expenses. The family also received food vouchers, vouchers for winter clothing, and packages with essential hygiene products. In total, Caritas Czech Republic has supported around 15,000 people in this way.
