Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, millions of people have fled the country and been internally displaced. Especially women, children and elderly people have left their bombed villages and cities. Many are faced with the question: Can they make a new start in a foreign country? If so, how? In order to support the refugees with immediate emergency aid and answers to such questions, Solidar Suisse immediately started working with two partner organisations in Romania that care for the refugees.
These are war scenarios that we have not had to experience in this form in Europe for a long time. Russia’s war against Ukraine is forcing people to leave their homes, wreaking havoc, destruction and death. The humanitarian suffering is unimaginable. Many who managed to escape early moved towards Western Europe and were able to travel to relatives abroad thanks to financial reserves. In a second, longer-lasting wave of flight, many people leave Ukraine with only a bag or suitcase. Often without a destination. Many are also holding out in Ukraine’s neighbouring countries – because they cannot travel further for financial reasons, or because they hope for the end of the war and want to return to their homeland.
Almost 3 million people from Ukraine have found refuge in Romania (as of December 2022). There they experience great solidarity from the population, state institutions and local and international organisations.
«I never wanted to leave Ukraine. But I had to do it for my children.»
Yuliia Temchenko fled Kiev with her two sons and found support at the Solidar partner organisation Migrant Integration Center in Braşov.
Immediate and sustainable aid
Those people who flee from Ukraine to Romania are caught and supported through cooperation with our partner organisations LOGS in Timisoara and Migrant Integration Center in Braşov. As the war continues, Solidar Suisse is also focusing its work with partner organisations on long-term support and the creation of new prospects for those who have fled to Romania.
Solidar Suisse’s many years of experience in Romania enabled us to quickly support the refugees from Ukraine with local partner organisations – LOGS in the city of Timisoara and the Migrant Integration Center in Braşov. The two partner organisations have been providing care for the refugees from day 1 of the war with immense support from volunteers. Even before the outbreak of the war, LOGS as well as the Integration Centre supported migrants from other countries, for example by facilitating their integration through language courses or intercultural events.
Thanks to the work of our partners, the people fleeing from the borders to the centres have found a place where they are cared for, where they can find a roof over their heads, where their children can play in temporary kindergartens and, above all, where they receive information in their own language and learn about their possibilities and rights, where they can get support for medical or legal matters. The staff and volunteers work continuously, tirelessly – all out of pure solidarity for the people who had to give up their normal, regular lives from one day to the next and became refugees. Thanks to the good cooperation between Solidar Suisse, the local partners, but also the local government, the often traumatised people do not have to live in overcrowded camps with poor sanitary facilities. In Timisoara and Braşov they find a safe home, at least temporarily.
Immediate support: Our partner organisations distribute vouchers that can be redeemed in a variety of shops, such as Lidl, Kaufland, DM or Carrefour. A contract was signed with the Bank of Transylvania so that the refugees in Brasov receive a credit card. An average of 118 Swiss francs is transferred to the account every month, which they can use throughout Romania – to be able to buy their necessities themselves and at least regain a bit of normality and self-determination. The sustainable support of those who cannot help themselves is the focus of Solidar Suisse. Together with our local partners, we are planning long-term support for the people most affected by the war.
This project is supported by Swiss Solidarity.
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