Taisiia's* life has changed completely in the last few years - starting with the war coming to her home, then moving to neighbouring Moldova and losing some family members in the meantime... But despite all the hardships, her story is one of hope and striving for a better life.
Taisiia and her family are among the many 127,000 refugees from Ukraine who have settled in Moldova. Some are planning to return when the war ends, while others are assimilating into Moldovan society and trying to settle in a new country.
With the aim of supporting refugees on their difficult journey, Acted together with IMPACT, People in Need (PIN) and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) launched the ‘PLACE’ consortium in late 2022.
As a member of the PLACE Consortium, Acted provides Cash for Rent assistance to meet the urgent housing needs of refugees and vulnerable Moldovan households. Furthermore, in response to the energy crisis in Moldova, additional financial assistance was provided during the 2024-2025 winter period to cover electricity and heating costs. This support is made possible by the European Union’s humanitarian aid.
Taisiia arrived in Moldova with her two sons in the middle of the summer of 2022.
Like many, I thought the war would end in a few days, but months went by and I moved my children out of the country.
Her youngest son, Igor*, was seriously ill, unable to walk and died after a long and serious illness. Immediately after his death, the family lost Taisiia’s father, and these losses had a serious impact on the women’s health.
But despite all the tragedies that have befallen her, Taisiia is determined to build a life for herself: she has enrolled on a pastry-making course and is actively learning Romanian. She hopes to find work soon, but in the meantime she and her son are supported by her husband, who remained in Ukraine.
Thanks to funding from the European Union’s Humanitarian Aid, Acted provided the family with rent assistance and funds to cover heating and electricity bills in the winter.
I may not have been rich at home, but I had a job, my own house and didn't really need much. But in a foreign country, with nothing and in the circumstances of our losses, your support has made a huge difference to me. Thank you so much.
Her eldest son, Oleg*, went to university on a budget. Taisia is incredibly proud of her son because he had to pay tuition fees in his home country, but was able to enrol on a budget in Moldova.
Acted and its partners in the PLACE consortium continue to support Ukrainian refugees and vulnerable Moldovan families in the country.
*Their names have been changed to protect their identity.
