For many, having a home is something easily taken for granted. But for those forced to leave everything behind without a plan, the reality is far more complex. Displaced people often arrive in a new country with little to nothing, facing uncertainty about securing safe housing or affording rent. Yet, having a home is fundamental – not only for safety but also for finding stability in an unfamiliar environment.
Nataliia and Anna arrived in Moldova in 2022 after being displaced by the war in Ukraine. Through Cash for Rent assistance, provided by Acted under a project funded by the European Union, they were able to secure a safe place to live and continue rebuilding their lives far from home.
Nataliia and Anna: Building a new chapter in Moldova
Nataliia moved from the Zaporizhzhia region to Moldova and initially resided in a Refugee Accommodation Centre in Călărași. However, as the center closed in May she joined the Cash for Rent programme implemented by Acted, and thus became able to rent an apartment close to her workplace.
After the center I was living in closed, I joined Acted’s assistance programme. It has been a huge support. With my salary I could only cover medicine and clothes, and this program gave me a new opportunity.
Anna came to Moldova from the Odesa region with her elderly mother, just after a devastating missile strike near their home.
After her arrival in Moldova, Anna started working in an organisation where she helped Ukrainian refugee children with their homework.
When the project ended in the summer, she had to look for new opportunities. At the same time, her mother was also out of work because the restaurant where she was working closed temporarily for renovations.
Anna was able to secure a job at a newly opened Ukrainian school in Chișinău. However, since the school year only began in September and her first salary was due later, she benefitted from the Cash for Rent programme during that transition time to help cover the living expenses.
During that transition, this program was a game changer. For us, it has great value - both moral and financial. In such moments, you realise you are not alone.
The Cash for Rent project helps displaced people and vulnerable Moldovan communities to secure safe and stable homes by providing rent assistance; ultimately creating opportunities for integration and a better future. This project enables refugees from Ukraine to rebuild their lives close to jobs and communities.
This initiative is part of the broader activities of the PLACE II consortium, which brings together Acted, INTERSOS, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), People in Need (PIN), and REACH (IMPACT Initiatives). Supported by the European Union, PLACE II works collaboratively to provide protection and multisectoral assistance to both Ukrainian refugees and vulnerable Moldovan communities across Moldova, addressing urgent humanitarian needs and supporting refugee integration, while promoting inclusion and equity.