How a Ukrainian refugee family integrates in Moldova

In late 2022, Acted alongside IMPACT Initiatives, People in Need, and the Norwegian Refugee Council formed the PLACE Consortium. With the aim of assisting Ukrainian refugees and local vulnerable communities to cope with the consequences of the conflict in Ukraine. As a member of the PLACE Consortium, Acted provides Cash for Rent assistance to address the urgent housing needs of refugees and vulnerable Moldovan households. This assistance, made possible through the European Union’s Humanitarian Aid, covers accommodation costs for 695 households for up to six months.

Before the war broke out, Oksana, Ivan and their minor daughter Sofiya lived in Odesa. They had never thought about leaving their hometown, where they had raised their family and had a job. In early 2024, they decided to leave Ukraine and move to Chisinau. When they first moved to Moldova, they were forced to quickly adapt to a new context where they faced several complications at the start. Over time they got to know the city better, made new friends, and started building a new life for themselves. Finding a new place where to live was not so immediate. At first, they were hosted by some acquaintances. They had been looking for a comfortable space since day one, and their only requirement was to find an apartment big enough to accommodate their parents and other family members in case they decided to leave Ukraine as well. After a month of searching, they found a spacious three-room flat in the suburb of Chisinau, and Acted supported them by providing cash for rent to alleviate the new expenses. We never imagined that we would have to leave our home, our family and our beloved Odesa. But we had to save ourselves. The first three or four months were very hard. Everything was different and unknown. And then something clicked. Maybe it was the summer. There were moments when we forgot we were not home, because we felt this way. Speaking Russian, in Chisinau there are no language barriers, and this has been a great perk for us. Sometimes we see a bit of Odesa somewhere. For example, the avenue by the lake in Valea Morilor Park reminds us of Arcadia (a district by the sea in Odesa), says Ivan.

Oksana is a seamstress; she has a small business sewing bed sheets. She orders the fabrics from Ukraine for their low prices and fills orders for local customers in Moldova. As of now, Ivan plans to find a job through the Acted Protection Case Management Department, co-funded by the European Union within the “PLACE” consortium. Ivan used to work in the maritime industry, but as Moldova is a landlocked country and the required language is often Romanian, he cannot pursue this career. However, he can use his skills in another industry. That is why he is now looking for a job, mainly in the logistics department of private companies. The family plans to stay in Moldova in the long-term and is putting some effort to boost the social integration to high levels – both the adults and their daughter are attending various development course.

Their daughter, Sofiya, continues her regular studies at her former school through an online education programme. She also attends several extracurricular courses organised by national and international organisations. These include learning English, ceramics and drawing.